Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia announces first speakers for 2026 edition

Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia – KSA’s most influential hospitality investment conference and deal-making forum – announces a stellar line up of the first confirmed speakers for the 2026 edition, taking place at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, 20-22 April.

FHS Saudi Arabia brings together Saudi and international owners, developers, operators, brands and investors to accelerate cross-border partnerships and capital flows in hospitality.​

The platform spotlights investment opportunities across the full breadth of the Kingdom, working closely with partners like Al Rajhi Capital with a focus on the private sector and opportunities in secondary cities, as well as with the giga projects who have partnered with FHS since its launch in Saudi Arabia over nine years ago. In addition, the Summit’s investor-led networking, including the Investor Lounge built for curated, private meetings, is designed to turn conversations into mandates, partnerships and transactions.

An esteemed collection of highly respected, experienced and knowledgeable hospitality and tourism leaders will take to the stage at FHS Saudi Arabia 2026, where more than 1,100 global hospitality investors, innovators and decision-makers will gather to shape the future of hospitality in the Kingdom.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Khalid Saud Abuhaimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investments
• Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments
• Jaume Tapies Ibern, Founder & Co-Chairman, Aina Hospitality
• Muin Sherhan, Chief Executive Officer, Asma Hospitality
• Sarmad Zok, Chief Executive Officer, Kingdom Hotels
• Samer Sabra, Chief Hospitality Officer, Jabal Omar Development Company
• Sultan Altowaim, Head of Research, Al Rajhi Capital
• Tarek Elkady, Vice President Investments, Osoolre
• Mounib Hammoud, Mega Project Consultant, AlNahla Group
• Elie Milky, Chief Development Officer Middle East, Cyprus and Greece, Radisson Hotel Group
• Spencer Coles, Chief Executive Officer, Sommet Education
• David Thomson, Senior Vice President, Development, The First Group Hospitality
• Aradhana Khowala, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Aptamind
• Anant Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Matter of Form
• Philip Wooller, Senior Director Middle East & Africa, STR
• Kholoud Almanea, Development Manager, Ennismore
• Joe Tabet, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, JT Partners
• Victor Abou-Ghanem, Chief Executive Officer, Story Hospitality

Held under the overarching theme ‘Where Opportunity Meets Capital’, FHS Saudi Arabia will host dozens of presentations, panel debates and one-on-one interviews across six key content tracks: Investment & Real Estate, Technology & Innovation, Talent & Education, Wellness & Lifestyle, F&B and Experiences and the dedicated Branded Residences Forum.

FHS organiser, The Bench, also proudly names five carefully selected FHS Saudi Arabia Ambassadors for 2026: Rabih Feghali, Board Member, HAMA EMEA; Haifaa Al Zahrani, Head of Hospitality Asset Management & Partnerships, Thakher Development; Fahad Al Fawaz, Board Member and Board Committee Member, Tabuk Investment Co, Jenan Real Estate Co and Gulf Liting Financing Co; seasoned hospitality expert, Turab Saleem and Mohammed Al Nashwan, Chief Executive Officer, Hartt Consulting

We are delighted to reveal the first industry leaders on our ever-growing list of speakers and look forward to announcing more high-profile names in the run up to the event. We also thank our 2026 Ambassadors, whose unwavering dedication and support is crucial to the success of the event. With US$1.6 billion in business opportunities, 1,100 delegates, and 11 high-profile signings and announcements at FHS Saudi Arabia last year, and with Riyadh Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 drawing near, this is a great opportunity for investors to be part of the country’s transformation. FHS Saudi Arabia is honoured to play a role in forging new connections, facilitating those opportunities and helping to shape the KSA of tomorrow. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench

For more information about the 2026 edition of the Future Hospitality Summit, please visit https://www.futurehospitality.com/