GRIF 2025 PROGRAMME
6 October
10:00 Registration & Tour of 25hours Dubai One Central
Get an inside peak at this truly community driven hotel that hosts innovation hubs, co-working spaces, outsourced, inhouse and licensed F&B.
Hosted by James Berry, General Manager, 25hours Dubai One Central
11:00 Buses leave for opening lunch at Girl & the Goose Anantara Business Bay
13:00 Lunch at Girl & the Goose - Restaurante Centroamericano
Hosted by Rosy Hospitality at Anatara Business Bay
Asma Khan, Founder of Darjeeling Express & Global Changemaker, and Gabriela Chamorro, Executive Chef & Entrepreneur, Girl & the Goose in conversation on the power of food to shape culture — from supper clubs to Netflix Chef’s Table, and building restaurants that feel like home.
13:30 Departure for study tours
Buses will depart from the hotel entrance of Anantara Business Bay. Registration in advance is essential places on each tour are limited.
Study tour option 1: Creating Dining Destinations through an Owner's Lens
Stop 1: Marsa Al Arab — Data-Driven Development
Hosted by Spencer Ayers, Senior Vice President, F&B Strategy, Dubai Holding Hospitality, this exclusive tour explores the landmark Marsa Al Arab development. From the vibrant Marsa Al Arab Walk to the Marsa Residences and the flagship Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Spencer will share how Dubai Holding used its own data to curate the right mix of outlets and tenants — positioning the development as a new benchmark for F&B-led placemaking.
Stop 2: Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah — Building a Dining Destination
This visit highlights how different ownership structures and agreements can work together to create a thriving culinary hub for both guests and the local community. Hosted by asset owners Arenco, with insights from Andrew Joyce, Head of F&B, Golden Sands LLC, representatives of Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, and Duncan Fraser-Smith & Christian Abell of Craft Hospitality Group, the session will unpack the dynamics behind assembling a diverse, high-performing dining portfolio.
Study tour option 2: Independent Cafés, Bakeries & Wellness Spaces
Dubai’s café and bakery culture is thriving, with independent operators bringing creativity, authenticity, and lifestyle focus to unlicensed dining. This tour highlights some of the city’s most exciting homegrown venues, from neighbourhood bakeries to wellness cafés, offering insights into the future of this booming segment.
Amongst other stops this tour includes an exploration of Alserkal Aveune, taking in a chance to experience Nala and peek behind the scenes at the Tashas Group Training Academy, offering insight into how one of Dubai’s most successful groups nurtures talent and builds consistency across its portfolio hosted by Stefano Mihalitsianos - Group Managing Director.
Study tour option 3: New & Noteworthy — Fresh Openings & Bold Moves
As part of GRIF’s Inspiration pillar, this study tour shines a spotlight on the new and noteworthy — projects that are setting the tone for Dubai’s next chapter in dining. From reimagined icons to ambitious new hubs and bold international debuts, delegates will gain first-hand insights into how visionary operators and developers are redefining what’s possible in the city’s restaurant scene.
Study tour option 4: Neighbourhoods & Community Dining Destinations
As international players eye Dubai, the strongest growth story may be in neighbourhoods and community-driven dining hubs. This tour highlights some of the most compelling independent local concepts and districts where authenticity, accessibility, and lifestyle positioning are creating long-term sustainability.
18:00 Opening reception at Delano Dubai hosted by Delano Dubai and RIKAS
7 October
08:30 Coffee & Chats
Networking to start the day
09:00 Welcome Remarks
Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, Founder, GRIF Collective
FOUNDERS FOCUS: JOURNEYS OF GROWTH
09:10 Shaping a Better World Through Hospitality
Global changemaker Asma Khan, acclaimed founder of Darjeeling Express, joins James Hacon, Managing Partner, Think Hospitality, for an inspiring conversation on how restaurants can drive cultural change, empower communities, and create lasting impact beyond the plate. Discover how hospitality can become a powerful force for connection, inclusion, and transformation on a global stage.
09:30 Power Partnerships: Shaping the Future of Hospitality
The collaboration between Paris Society, Rikas Hospitality, and Ennismore marks a turning point in the evolution of hospitality groups. Louis Abboud, Regional Head, Ennismore Lifestyle Collective MEAIT, and Rizwan Kassim, Founder & CEO, Rikas Hospitality, discuss how strategic alliances, innovative concepts, and shifting guest expectations are redefining the way hoteliers and operators scale globally.
09:00 Scaling Up: Lessons from the Frontline of Growth
James Hacon hosts a candid conversation with founders reshaping the global restaurant landscape, sharing the pivotal decisions, risks, and bold moves that fuelled their journeys — from launching locally to scaling internationally. Expect real insights into expansion strategies and the future of growth.
Frantz Braha, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer, SaladStop Group (Singapore)
Alexis Melikov, Co-Founder & CEO, TigerMilk Group (France)
Martti Siimann, CEO & Co-Founder, Siigur Restaurants (Estonia)
Chris Miller, Founder & CEO, White Rabbit Projects
10:15 Owning, Operating, or Franchising: The7 Management Growth Strategy
With concepts across multiple markets and a mix of ownership, management, and franchise models, 7 Management has mastered flexible growth and played the role of curator in 25 Jump Street. In this fireside chat, Rabih Fakhreddine, Founder & CEO, joins Jennifer Pettinger-Haines to share insights on when to create, partner, or franchise — and how the group is shaping the future of hospitality in Dubai, the GCC, and beyond.
10:30 Driving Intelligent Growth, Innovation and Concept Creation through Data-Driven Insights
How can operators, investors and developers utilise data to minimise risk and increase their chance for success?
10:45 Building High-Performing Multi-Brand Groups
CEO of Akkomarka Restaurant Community, shares insights on scaling and managing multi-brand hospitality portfolios. The session explores strategies for sustainable growth, improving performance, and creating value while navigating the challenges of operating diverse concepts in competitive markets.
11:00 Break hosted by Dubai Economy and Tourism & opportunity for Q&A with morning’s presenters
11:40 Keynote Interview Sunset Rising – Scaling a Dubai Success Story Globally from Beach Clubs to Bedrooms
In just over a decade, Sunset Hospitality Group has evolved from a Dubai-born beach club operator to operating in 26 countries. In this session, Chairman & CEO, Antonio Gonzalez, takes us behind the scenes of Group’s expansion into new markets, new concepts, and now, hotels.
12:00 GRIF Exclusive Intelligence – What is the Industry Saying?
Greg Wright, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Food People share results of Sentiment Survey from GCC’s leading operators and investors.
Followed by a panel with industry leaders on what are we seeing in the market.
12:30 Saudi in Focus: Scaling KUURU and Seizing the Market Opportunity
CEO, Hashim Al-Attas, shares the KUURU success story, the challenges and opportunities shaping Saudi Arabia’s dining scene, and what lies ahead for a legacy group reinventing itself on the global stage.
Moderated by Gustavo de Hostos, Managing Partner, Forsite Creative
12:45 GRIF Insights: What Does the Future Look Like? You Tell Us
Henry Coutinho-Mason, Founder & Author, The Future Normal demonstrates in real time in real time the power of AI to unleash creativity and innovation and crowd sources from the GRIF audience what the future of the industry looks like.
13:00 Lunch hosted by Dubai Economy and Tourism
CONVERSATIONS WITH FOUNDERS ON FUNDING GROWTH
14:10 Choosing the Right Investors & Partnerships
Natasha Sideris, Founder & CEO, Tashas Group, opens up about her own successes and mistakes when it comes to selecting investors and partners. Hear how she navigated the highs and lows of funding, built strong partnerships, and learned what it really takes to make investor relationships work.
In conversation with James Hacon, Managing Partner, Think Hospitality
14:30 Self-Funding Your Own Expansion: Tattu’s First International Outpost
Adam Jones and Drew Jones, Co-Founders, Permanently Unique share the strategy and ambition behind opening Tattu Dubai—their first-ever international outpost. With Dubai cementing its status as a magnet for global dining destinations, the Jones brothers offer a rare, candid case study in bold, self-reliant growth. This session provides valuable insights for independent operators and founders seeking to scale internationally on their own terms.
14:45 Scaling Smarter: Lessons in Growth After Investment
Tony Habre, Group CEO of Addmind and AlphaMind Hospitality, shares his experience managing rapid expansion, balancing ambition with control, and making the strategic decisions that drive long-term success.
15:10 Coffee Break
SIGN UP REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING TWO SESSIONS
15:15 - 15:45
The Rise of Wellness in Hospitality
Presentation by Kathryn Moore, Founder & CEO, Spa Connectors, followed by a conversation with Chris Miller, Co-Founder, Arc
Kathryn Moore opens with a presentation on the increasing influence of wellness on how people are choosing to socialise and spend their time and money, highlighting why this shift represents one of the biggest growth opportunities for hospitality. She is then joined by Chris Miller to discuss his journey into the wellness space and the lessons learned from creating London’s most ambitious wellness destination.
15:30 - 17:00
Founders Forum
Closed door roundtable for founders and investors. Places are limited, so advance sign-up will be required.
F&B’s Role in Driving Asset Value
15:30 Competing in the New F&B Era
How are traditional hotel operators competing with—and embracing—independent restaurant brands? What does it take to curate the right mix of in-house concepts, partnerships, and third-party operators to create destinations that truly resonate with today’s guests?
Emma Banks, VP of F&B Strategy & Development EMEA at Hilton in conversation
15:45 Creating Destinations – F&B as a Catalyst for Asset Value Creation & Placemaking
How are asset owners leveraging F&B to enhance TRevPAR, long-term value, and create vibrant destinations? This discussion will bring together leading CEOs to share their vision and strategies for embedding restaurants into large-scale hospitality and real estate projects.
Mario Ferraro, CEO, Smeralda Holding & Sardegna Resorts
Spencer Ayers, Senior Vice President, F&B Strategy, Dubai Holding Hospitality
Amit Arora, COO, Hospitality & Entertainment, Arada
Moderated by Gustavo de Hostos, Managing Partner, Forsite Creative
16:10 How to Land Hotel Partnerships and Make it Work
How can chefs and operators position themselves as the preferred partners for global hotel brands? This session explores what hotel groups look for when selecting collaborators, how they evaluate potential operators, and the strategies that help standout concepts secure partnerships in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Lynne Bellinger, Director, F&B Business Development EAME, Marriott International
Laura De Vega, VP, Food & Beverage, Meliá Hotels International
16:35 Revenue Optimisation in Hotel F&B
Claire Scullion, Founder, The Menu Scientist together with Hilari Voorthuis, Regional F&B Director at Fairmont Raffle, share case studies and insights on hotel F&B revenue optimisation strategies.
17:00 Closing keynote From Two Stars to Scaling Up
How do you translate world-class talent and passion into a scalable business? This session explores the journey of evolving from fine dining into more accessible concepts, navigating new markets, and unlocking avenues for growth beyond two Michelin stars.
Heleri Rande, Partner, Think Hospitality in conversation with:
Chef Alex Dilling, Chef Patron, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal
Victoria Sheppard, CEO, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal
17:25 End of Day One Round Up
18:00 Evening Reception hosted by The MAINE Land Brasserie
We celebrate 10 years of this Dubai institution
8 October
08:30 Coffee & Chats
08:55 Welcome Remarks
Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, Founder, GRIF Collective
FUTURE OUTLOOK
09:00 Hospitality in Context: A Macroeconomic Outlook
Tyrone Reid, Group CEO, MMI & Emirates Leisure Retail, joins Edward Bell, Acting Group Head of Research and Chief Economist, Emirates NBD for an in-depth conversation on views around refinancing, the macroeconomic trends shaping the region and their impact on hospitality. Gain insights into shifting consumer behaviours, economic pressures, and opportunities driving growth across the sector.
09:25 Tapping into the UAE’s Biggest Opportunity: Thriving in Neighborhoods & Communities
These operators have achieved longevity and sustained success by becoming part of the fabric of a community. How operators create destinations that locals return to, and design business models that thrive long term. What are the keys to building loyalty, relevance, and resilience?
Fay Economides, Executive Managing Director, M Management Company
Joey Ghazal, Founder & Managing Partner, The MAINE Group
Ziad Kamel, CEO & Co-Founder, Rosy Hospitality
Naim Maadad, Chief Executive & Founder, Gates Hospitality FZ LLC
09:50 Transactions & Market Movements
James Hacon, Founder & Managing Partner, Think Hospitality, presents an up-to-date overview of the latest F&B transactions and investment activity worldwide. Gain insights into market dynamics, deal trends, and where capital is flowing across the global hospitality landscape.
Investor Insights
Hosted by Nadine Benchaffai, Partner & Co-Founder, Fab Food Co & Partner, Project People
10:05 Inside McWin: Deals, Growth & Global Ambitions
Nadine sits down with Harry Goss, Partner, McWin Capital Partners, to explore the forces shaping global hospitality investment. The discussion dives into consolidation trends, investor appetite, and cross-border capital flows, offering insights into where the opportunities lie and how operators and investors can position themselves for growth in a rapidly evolving market.
10:25 Fireside Chat What Investors Want from Lifestyle & Hospitality Investments
Sanjay Nandi, Group CEO of ADMO Lifestyle Holding, shares how one of the region’s leading lifestyle investment firms evaluates opportunities in the space. Discover what makes a concept attractive to investors, the metrics that matter, and how ADMO identifies and builds long-term value across its portfolio.
10:45 Value Creation: Investors Perspective
This panel brings together leading voices from investment, strategy, and talent to explore how value is identified, created, and scaled in today’s competitive F&B landscape.
André Gerschel, Section Chief, Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund
11:00 Investing in people - The USALI School
Akkomarka, introduces the USALI School and explores how hospitality education is evolving for today’s students and industry.
11:10 Coffee Break
MODELS FOR GROWTH
11:40 Creating Lasting Brand Equity: Connecting With Your Consumer – Who are They and What do They Want?
This session explores brand building in hospitality today and what it means for creating authentic connections with consumers. Discover strategies to maintain relevance, strengthen trust, and leverage emerging technologies to enhance brand equity in an increasingly technology driven world.
Henry Coutinho-Mason, Founder & Author, The Future Normal, in conversation with
Georgina Woollams-Edwards, Founder & MD, Katch International
Lauren Scott-Harris, Founder & CEO, EARNT
Charlie Gilkies, Co-Founder, Inception Group
Nicolas Budzynski, CEO, La Petite Maison
12:05 The TGI Fridays Turnaround: Franchising, Relevance & Growth
David Singleton, Founder, Oraculi sits down with Phil Broad, President International, TGI Fridays to explore how the iconic brand is reinventing itself. The conversation dives into franchising as a growth and recovery strategy, the challenges of staying relevant in a shifting dining landscape, and how TGI Fridays is leveraging partnerships and new models to regain momentum globally.
FUTURE FOCUS
12:25 Profit with Purpose: Building a Circular Future in Hospitality
Niels Peter Pretzmann, Investor & Architect, Circular Food Ecosystem, shares insights on creating sustainable business models that balance profitability with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Discover how circular practices, ethical sourcing, and innovative operational strategies can drive both impact and long-term commercial success.
12:45 Harnessing AI to Transform F&B Businesses
Stephen Flawith, Founder & CEO, Yolk Brands shares how AI-driven technologies are being integrated into restaurant operations to enhance efficiency, improve customer experiences, and drive smarter decision-making. Gain practical insights into the opportunities and challenges of adopting AI in the fast-evolving F&B landscape.
13:05 Beyond the Hype: The World’s First AI Chef
Reif Othman, Chef & Owner, Hotaru Holdings LLC, and Ahmet Oytun Cakir, Owner & Managing Partner, Gastronaut Hospitality, on the world’s first AI Chef and its practical applications.
13:30 Buses depart for Closing Sessions of GRIF 2025
14:00 Lunch hosted by Gastronaut
We are treated to a first look at Gastronaut’s new landmark venues Woohoo, MamaBella and Ram & Roll at Kempinski Dubai Mall.
15:30 Closing Think Tank Sessions across venues at J1 Beach Club
Join the Think Hospitality team for a series of interactive forums designed to shape the future of eating and drinking out. These collaborative sessions bring together industry leaders to debate, share, and define the strategies driving the next wave of innovation across key themes:
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Growth & Expansion — Unlocking opportunities, models, and strategies for scaling successfully
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Purpose & Sustainability — Embedding responsibility and resilience at the heart of hospitality
17:00 It's a wrap - See you in 2026!