It was an evening of delightful victories and wonderful conversations. The South edition of the Hotelier India GM Summit and ESG Excellence Awards 2024, held at the Grand Ballroom of JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, was a roaring success.
Adding to the distinguished property of the GM Summit, Hotelier India introduced the ‘ESG Excellence Awards’, an awards event to celebrate the successes of ESG activities of hotels. Sustainability is a crucial and pressing issue in hospitality today. And ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) provides standards that companies can measure and benchmark themselves.
General Managers from across South India and industry professionals assembled to not only brainstorm, ideate and shape the future of the industry at the GM Summit but also to applaud the ESG leaders in their fraternity.
The event, gracefully hosted by Sheetal Sadana, Commercial Director, Hotelier India, started with a warm opening address by Rahul Sequeira – Managing Director, ITP Media India, which was followed by a vibrant welcome note by Bibhor Srivastava – Managing Director, Events & Conferences, ITP Media India.
The evening then kick-started with insightful industry addresses by Syed Ishtiyaq – General Manager-India, Howell India, and Bobby Joseph – Leader, LWT India & Subcon.
Post which, hospitality and ESG leaders took the stage for the first panel discussion titled ‘ESG – The Journey from a Peripheral Identity to a Mainstream Future’, which was moderated by Abhijit Paul Zacharia – Principal-ESG, LTIMindtree. Ambika Gautam – Founding Partner, The People Network; Anshul Gupta – Founder & CEO, Quick Clean; Niranjan Khatri – Founder, iSambhav; and Sriram Kuchimanchi – Founder & CEO, Smarter Dharma were the panellists who brainstormed on the evolution of ESG in the industry.
The GM Panel, which had Ranvir Bhandari – President-Hospitality, Lodha Ventures – An Abhinandan Lodha Enterprise, as the moderator, had Gaurav Miglani – General Manager, Taj Bangalore; Manish Garg – General Manager, Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, and Hilton Garden Inn; Ronan Fearon – General Manager, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa; Madhav Sehgal – Area Vice President South India, Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts; Shaariq Akhtar – General Manager, ITC Grand Chola; as the eminent panel members. The subject for discussion – ‘GM Crossroads: From Staff & Guests to Profits & Planet’ – opened up valuable insights into hotel operations.
The Power Panel, which was moderated by Jaideep Dang – Managing Director, Hotels & Hospitality Group, JLL, had Christina Roach – Director, Roach Lifescapes; Jatin Khanna – CEO, Sarovar Hotels; Nirupa Shankar – Joint Managing Director, Brigade Hospitality; Rajneesh Malhotra – Chief Operating Officer, Chalet Hotels Limited; Ranjit Batra – President-Hospitality Management, Panchshil Realty; and Shruti Shibulal – Director & Chief Executive Officer, Tamara Leisure Experiences; as the renowned speakers. ‘Profit with Purpose: Decoding the Indian Equation’ was the topic of the panel here, and it shed light on some very engaging and raging subjects.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the ESG Excellence Awards, which was followed by a crisp vote of thanks by Vinodini Rao, Editor, Hotelier India.
Happy, jubilant smiles filled the air as the ESG leaders walked away with the trophies.
…And the celebrations and conversations continued over some great cocktails and a delectable array of food, specially whipped up by the chefs of JW Marriott. It was indeed a night to remember.
ESG HOTEL WINNERS
- Most Innovative ESG Practice Coconut Lagoon – A CGH Earth Experience Hotel
- Excellence in Corporate Governance Hotel of The Year – Hilton And Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park (Luxury to Upper Upscale)
- Socially Responsible Hotel of The Year – JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru (Luxury to Upper Upscale); Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road (Upscale to Midscale)
- Sustainable & Environment Conscious Hotel of The Year – Spice Village Kerala (Luxury to Upper Upscale); Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road (Upscale to Midscale); Grand Kakinada By GRT Hotels (Economy to Budget)
