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Marriott International & Hotelier India launch GDDC 2025 – India’s biggest hospitality design forum

India’s most influential hospitality design platform kicks off with high-impact sessions, visionary leaders, and a clear focus on innovation.

by Staff Writer
[ L - R ] Suhail Kannampilly, MD, Concept Hospitality; Rahul Chaudhary, MD and CEO, CG Hospitality Holdings; Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific Excluding China, Marriott International
[ L - R ] Suhail Kannampilly, MD, Concept Hospitality; Rahul Chaudhary, MD and CEO, CG Hospitality Holdings; Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific Excluding China, Marriott International

The Global Design & Development Confluence 2025, India’s leading forum for hospitality design, brought to you by Marriott International and powered by Hotelier India, kicked off in great style at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar.

A great start to GDDC 2025

Leading architects, hoteliers and developers gathered under one roof to create moments that would redefine the hospitality industry.

Day 1 started with an introduction that outlined the conclave’s goals. This set the stage for a day filled with inspiring discussions. Prominent figures in the hospitality industry like Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific Excluding China, Marriott International; Rahul Chaudhary, MD and CEO, CG Hospitality Holdings; and Suhail Kannampilly, MD, Concept Hospitality; delivered the opening remarks.

This was followed by a session on ‘Series by Marriott – What to Expect, What to Embrace’. This session explored Marriott’s brand positioning and global design standards, emphasizing how they adjust to different markets. The discussion included Stephen Luk, Vice President, Global Design, Asia Pacific (excl. China) at Marriott International; and Suhail Kannampilly, MD, Concept Hospitality.

Stephen Luk, Vice President, Global Design, Asia Pacific (excl. China) at Marriott International; and Suhail Kannampilly, MD, Concept Hospitality

The Special Unveiling

Session II on ‘The New Room Reveal – Elevating Guest Experience’ had attendees witnessing a detailed look at an upgraded room prototype, specifically designed to elevate guest experience.

Speakers for this session included Shalaka Dakshinkar, Director, Global Design, APEC, Marriott International; Khozema Chitalwala, Principal Architect at Designers Group; Stanley Tai, Director ID, GDAPEC, Marriott International; Noshir A Marfatia, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Concept Hospitality-The Fern Hotels and Resorts.

Shalaka Dakshinkar, Director, Global Design, APEC, Marriott International; Khozema Chitalwala, Principal Architect at Designers Group; Stanley Tai, Director ID, GDAPEC, Marriott International; Noshir A Marfatia, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Concept Hospitality-The Fern Hotels and Resorts.

Networking & Back

There was a networking break with high tea and snacks in the evening, which allowed participants to interact and mingle.

[ L – R ] The unveiling of the Marriott’s upgraded room prototype – Suhail Kannampilly, MD, Concept Hospitality; Rahul Chaudhary, MD and CEO, CG Hospitality Holdings; Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific Excluding China, Marriott International

A lively Q&A session with Rajeev Menon, Suhail Kannampilly, and Rahul Chaudhary concluded the day, giving attendees the chance to speak with business executives face-to-face.

From brand positioning to the introduction of Marriott’s upgraded room prototype, GDDC 2025 was a potent beginning full of motivation and insights.

[ L -R ] Stanley Tai, Director ID, GDAPEC, Marriott International; Shalaka Dakshinkar, Director, Global Design, APEC, Marriott International; Noshir A Marfatia, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Concept Hospitality-The Fern Hotels and Resorts; Suhail Kannampilly, MD, Concept Hospitality; Khozema Chitalwala, Principal Architect at Designers Group; Stanley Tai, Director ID, GDAPEC, Marriott International; Rahul Chaudhary, MD and CEO, CG Hospitality Holdings; Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific Excluding China, Marriott International; Stephen Luk, Vice President, Global Design, Asia Pacific (excl. China) at Marriott International.