Northside BOUTIQUE CONSULTING COMPANY Excellence in New Hotel Openings
China Law Building, 16/Flr
Avenida da Praia Grande, No. 409
Macau S.A.R.
3333. E. Serene Avenue, Suite 290
Henderson, Nevada 89074
United States of America
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WHY NORTHSIDE CONSULTING?

Northside Consulting is reinventing the process of opening new properties with a state-of-the-art management approach that makes it smoother, more effective and efficient. As an Outsourced Strategic Project Management Office (PMO), we provide expert strategies and comprehensive solutions for any type of new project, from hotels and resorts to casinos and theme parks. Our approach facilitates ‘on time, on brand, on budget, on customer’ openings, ultimately optimising a property’s value and increasing investment returns.

SERVICES

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING SERVICES

When opening a new hotel, resort, casino or theme park, Northside Consulting is there from the very beginning to guide the way. We understand that different projects go through distinct phases, which is why we do not offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we carefully plan every phase of the project life cycle.

Our tailored services take both strategic and tactical considerations into account to best suit your project’s specific goals, while IRR acts as the guiding light through the entire process.

Northside Consulting is available to join your team at any point throughout the project life cycle, from providing strategy at conception through to providing tactical support during the 12-18 months leading to the opening of your new venture.


Discover more about how to effectively improve project performance here.

Most new projects suffer from long delays and exploding budgets. To avoid such pitfalls and improve opening readiness, organisations must make fundamental changes in the way these projects are delivered. Ultimately, hotel opening management is about delivering new projects on time, on scope and on budget. The 5 Building Blocks chart outlines how owners and operators can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of opening processes.

ABOUT NORTHSIDE

STRATEGIC | PERSONALISED | RELIABLE | ENGAGED

Northside Consulting is an innovative consulting firm offering bold solutions, specialising in Organisational Project Management for the hospitality industry.

Our experience and expertise give us an intimate understanding of today’s hospitality business, but we are always prepared to challenge the status quo. Using both forward-thinking and proven Organisational Project Management concepts, we continue to transform the way hotel development is approached.

Northside Consulting has built a strong reputation as an industry authority. We are the preferred strategic partner for improving hospitality project performance and optimising the Internal Rate of Return for new enterprises.

GERT NOORDZY

GERT NOORDZY

MANAGING DIRECTOR

GERT NOORDZY
Gert Noordzy, MBA, is an international hotelier, acknowledged hotel opening process maven and Organizational Project Management expert for the hospitality industry. He has over 20 years of professional experience in Greater China and South East Asia and has been involved in opening over 30 new hotels and 3 integrated resorts.

For 15 years, Gert worked for 3 of the global top 5 hotel companies. He has held corporate roles specializing in hotel openings and project management since 2006. In these position, Gert led by setting strategies, direction and purpose, followed by scaling up the organizational capabilities in execution and transfer into operation. His forward thinking approach to opening new properties, facilitated ‘on time, on brand, on budget, on customer’ openings, ultimately optimizing a property’s value and increasing investment returns.

Gert started researching hotel opening processes in 2008 and is the author of the book on Project Management of Hotel Opening Processes. He has been working on his follow-up book as part of his studies for a doctorate in business administration.

GERT NOORDZY

MANAGING DIRECTOR

THE TEAM

OUR PRINCIPALS

Gert Noordzy and Duane Elledge have teamed up to lead hospitality companies to improved new hotel opening project performance, enabling them to open hotels more effectively and efficiently.

Their combined experience and knowledge in hotel openings, project and innovation management brings strong added value to the table.
DUANE ELLEDGE

DUANE ELLEDGE

PRINCIPAL

OUR CONSULTANTS

Azat

AZAT OGULMUS

CONSULTANT

CINDY XING

CINDY XING

CONSULTANT

Derek Martin

DEREK MARTIN

CONSULTANT

STEPHEN MARINELLI

STEPHEN MARINELLI

CONSULTANT

JENNYFER LACROIX

JENNYFER LACROIX

CONSULTANT

OUR AFFILIATES

ROBYN PRATT

ROBYN PRATT

AFFILIATE

MARK ROBSON

MARK ROBSON

AFFILIATE

MAXWELL ZETLIN

MAXWELL ZETLIN

AFFILIATE

Toine (Yusuf) IJSSELDIJK

TOINE (YUSUF) IJSSELDIJK

AFFILIATE

Vincenzo Perez

VINCENZO PEREZ

AFFILIATE

DAVID BINGLEY

DAVID BINGLEY

AFFILIATE

anna stackler

ANNA STACKLER

AFFILIATE

Gurvinder PATARA

GURVINDER PATARA

AFFILIATE

RICH PALIWODA

RICH PALIWODA

AFFILIATE

PAUL DEAN

PAUL DEAN

AFFILIATE

Amanda Chong

AMANDA CHONG

AFFILIATE

OUR SPECIAL ADVISORS

BILL O’LEARY

BILL O’LEARY

SPECIAL ADVISOR – MARITIME TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

ANGELO BALBI

ANGELO BALBI

SPECIAL ADVISOR - CRUISE SHIPS

DUANEELLEDGE
Duane Elledge, is an independent hospitality consultant. With more than thirty years of global hospitality experience. Duane is an accomplished senior level hotel operations and finance leader. Most recently, Elledge held the position of President, at Innfocus Hospitality Solutions, a New Jersey based hotel management and consulting firm.

Duane spent fifteen years with Wyndham Hotel Group and seventeen years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts. While with Wyndham Hotel Group, Duane held nine senior level positions which included Brand President - Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Managing Director Asia, EVP Franchise Services, SVP Field Operations, SVP & Controller, SVP Managed Hotels, SVP Design & Procurement Services, SVP Tactical Planning and Audit Services, and SVP Corporate Services.

Duane is an expert at assisting hospitality owners and equity partners in lifting gross operating profit performance. This is accomplished through the development and implementation of a detailed performance plan. Currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona, he is also President of Elledge/Varnado Hospitality LLC.

DUANE ELLEDGE

PRINCIPAL

ROBYN PRATT
Robyn is a highly experienced professional with 35+ years of hospitality experience gained in several countries working both at hotel and corporate level.

Her career spans General Management, Sales & Marketing, Food and Beverage and Rooms at Hotel level and Quality Assurance, Brand Strategy and execution, Change Management, Project Leadership, Leadership and team development at an international level. She is passionate about bringing a brand/company to life through the internalising of a brand promise through a company’s Service Culture and has had an integral role in the implementation and ongoing delivery of an on brand service culture for several international brands including W Hotels, Le Meridian, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Corinthia Hotels & Resorts to name a few.

Robyn works with organisations to create a solid Quality Assurance Framework with a final goal to deliver consistent and high quality experience bringing to life the company’s vision and values for the customer. An integral part of the success of this framework is the development of easy to follow and implement SOP documents and training for management and employees alike.

Prior to co-Founding Impact Consulting, Robyn held the position of Vice President and Brand Leader for Design and Luxury brands for Starwood Hotels, Europe, Africa, & Middle East (EAME). In this role, she led the brand and Quality Assurance efforts of nine brands across 240 hotels. As VP Operational Innovation Robyn led the Innovation and Change Management initiatives for Starwood EAME across 240 hotels.

Currently residing in Malta Robyn has been the recipient of various professional and personal awards, including “Queensland Business Woman of the Year”, International Woman Chiefs of Enterprises Achievement Award for Contribution to the Australian Tourism Industry and Starwood “President’s Award”.

ROBYN PRATT

AFFILIATE

Toine (Yusuf) IJSSELDIJK
Toine (Yusuf) IJSSELDIJK is a hospitality and travel industry veteran with 25 years of hands-on experience in sales, marketing and distribution. His expertise includes pre-opening commercial readiness planning, traditional and digital marketing, distribution, as well as business reviews.

In his early career Toine was instrumental in setting-up and managing sales & marketing for Accor Asia Pacific in Indonesia. This resulted in a promotion to a senior role at Accor’s regional head office in Bangkok, responsible for sales for the group’s portfolio of hotels in Asia.

In 2008, Toine moved into the world of online travel, filling senior executive positions at Asia Web Direct, one of Asia’s pioneers in online travel, and Australia’s Wotif Group (now both successful online travel brands under Expedia Inc.). In 2010, with in-depth market expertise and a growing interest in entrepreneurship, he successfully embarked on a challenging mission: to launch Indonesia’s first home-grown online travel agent and wholesaler, thereby pioneering the archipelago’s emerging online travel market.

Toine returned to the hotel industry in 2014. He joined Tauzia Hotel Management, leading sales, marketing and distribution. Leveraging his in-depth expertise and extensive network, Toine recently set-up his own consulting firm. His integrity, bottom-line focused approach, analytical skills and pragmatism drive growth and profitability for stakeholders, through effective sales, marketing and distribution.

Toine currently resides in Indonesia, sharing his time between Jakarta and Bali.

TOINE (YUSUF) IJSSELDIJK

AFFILIATE

AZAT
Azat Ogulmus, BA, MSc, started her career in hospitality over 10 years ago. Her areas of expertise are Sales & Marketing and Business Development. Starting in hotel operations, a hotel pre-opening experience in Baku, Azerbaijan triggered her interest in hotel real estate development and project management.

Having worked for both hotel owners and operators, she understands the interests of both sides. Her cross-cultural communication skills and passion enable her to work with all stakeholders toward positive project outcomes in the region. Azat is an avid researcher, and is contributing to the global research project “Assessing New Hotel Opening Processes” in Turkey, Azerbaijan and a number of CIS Countries.

Presently residing in Istanbul, Azat holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Eastern Mediterranean University, as well as a Master of Science in International Tourism and Hotel Management from Oxford Brookes University. She was the recipient of Marriott’s prestigious Golden Circle Award – Bronze Level for her outstanding sales contribution in 2011. Azat is currently preparing for the Project Management Institute’s CAPM® examination.

AZAT OGULMUS

CONSULTANT

Stephan
Stephan Marinelli has worked in a myriad of industries and has come to appreciate and enjoy hospitality. Having the pleasure of working on different brands at different locations, he finds each property special with its own character and deserving of a guest experience.

His responsibilities include: the design development and product quality of new openings, as well as hotel conversion, re-branding and renovations projects; collaboration with brand innovation programs, repositioning strategies, and roll-out of new hotel brands; wrote new work guidelines for company growth and developed new design handbooks for all brands.

Originally from metropolitan New York City, he has lived in various parts of the European Union, the United States, and Southeast Asia, but for the past 15 years he has called China home. The Chinese authorities have granted him a Class A work visa which distinguishes him as a foreign technical expert. He welcomes sharing with international companies his China work experience.

STEPHEN MARINELLI

CONSULTANT

Jennyfer Lacroix
Jennyfer Lacroix’ hospitality career spans over 12 years, specializing in design and construction. She has overseen new-build and rebranding projects from inception to handover to operations, as well as renovations and refurbishments. Her focus is on project efficiency, stakeholder communication, value engineering, quality of the final product, and above all: the guest experience.

During her 25 years in Asia, Jennyfer has garnered a breath of experience in a variety of projects, from top-rated brands to more humble lifestyle brands. She has worked for FRHI Hotels & Resorts and Langham Hospitality, where was instrumental in developing portfolios and streamlining brands by shaping their identity through brand books, buildings, and venues.

Entrepreneurial and innovative, yet with an acute sense for detail, Jennyfer provides a hands-on and pragmatic approach to managing projects. Her approach to successful project delivery is through efficient programming and planning. Jennyfer’s core competencies include creating project briefs, setting creative and team directions, engineering, managing quality of furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and coordinating back-of-house areas.

Originally from France and having lived and worked in Asia for 25 years, Jennyfer is currently residing in Portugal. She is a member of Valtus and X-pm Executive Transition Management.

JENNYFER LACROIS

CONSULTANT

Endorsements

Client Testimonials

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

OUR TRUSTWORTHY PARTNERS

BLOGS, VLOGS & REPORTS

HOTEL OPENING PROCESSES

Northside Consulting explores ways to better manage new hotel openings and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of processes.
Northside Consulting endeavours to conduct and publish research in this field and challenges the hotel industry to improve its new hotel opening track record.

BLOGS

OPINIONS

OPINIONS


Gert Noordzy is an avid blogger for HOTELSMag.com. Click The Hotel Opener for blog posts.

VLOGS

REPORTS

ARTICLES

CONTRIBUTIONS

GERT NOORDZY
Gert Noordzy, MBA, is an international hotelier, acknowledged hotel opening process maven and Organizational Project Management expert for the hospitality industry. He has over 20 years of professional experience in Greater China and South East Asia and has been involved in opening over 30 new hotels and 3 integrated resorts.
For 15 years, Gert worked for 3 of the global top 5 hotel companies. He has held corporate roles specializing in hotel openings and project management since 2006. In these position, Gert led by setting strategies, direction and purpose, followed by scaling up the organizational capabilities in execution and transfer into operation. His forward thinking approach to opening new properties, facilitated ‘on time, on brand, on budget, on customer’ openings, ultimately optimizing a property’s value and increasing investment returns.
Gert started researching hotel opening processes in 2008 and is the author of the book on Project Management of Hotel Opening Processes. He has been working on his follow-up book as part of his studies for a doctorate in business administration.

GERT NOORDZY

MANAGING DIRECTOR

OSCAR HAUPTMAN
Dr. Oscar Hauptman, with a PhD in Management of Technological Innovation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has more than 30 years of international experience as a hands-on academic and business consultant, with global expertise in project, program and innovation management.

As a consultant, Oscar conducted numerous international professional training seminars and consulting projects, including Port of Singapore Authority, Tata Motors, Tenix Defence Systems, Tata Motors, Malaysian Agricultural R&D Institute, Intel, Polaroid, UNIDO, International Wool Secretariat, ICI Explosives, and Schmidt Vietnam. Oscar’s executive positions include managing director of a high-technology incubator; founder and president of boutique consulting firms specializing in high-technology management and investment; and project management of new product development. He has been a non-executive director of technology-intensive start-ups.

Oscar has taught MBAs, Executives and PhDs as faculty member at Harvard Business School, Carleton University (Canada), Melbourne Business School, and Western Sydney University. He has held visiting positions in Singapore Management University, IMD (Switzerland), the Israel Institute of Technology, University of Cape Town, KIMEP University (Kazakhstan), and recently at Saint Joseph University, Macau SAR, China.

OSCAR HAUPTMAN

PRINCIPAL

DOUG MEREDITH
Doug Meredith, MBA, CPA, with more than 35 years’ experience in the international hotel and tourism industries in senior executive, advisory and consulting roles, in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and the Pacific brings a pragmatic general and financial management dimension to our project management team. He has been a member of teams tasked with identifying hotel market opportunities and then researching, planning, developing, building and opening international class hotels.

Doug’s analytical skills blended with a practical, hands-on approach to project management and post-opening strategic and business plan implementation has seen his services in high demand from both established and first-time investors and developers in the hotel market. His low-profile, professional technique and drive to “get the job done” and crystalise desired outcomes is a stand-out feature of his contribution to our team.

Doug commenced his career in the international hotel industry in 1979 when he was recruited to become a member of the senior executive team drawn together to stabilise and successfully grow a struggling hotel owning and operating company, through re-development of existing strategic sites as well as through acquisitive and organic growth. The lessons he learned from that hotel development experience continue to stand him in good stead today, for the benefit of our clients.

DOUG MEREDITH

PRINCIPAL

ROBYN PRATT
Robyn is a highly experienced professional with 35+ years of hospitality experience gained in several countries working both at hotel and corporate level.

Her career spans General Management, Sales & Marketing, Food and Beverage and Rooms at Hotel level and Quality Assurance, Brand Strategy and execution, Change Management, Project Leadership, Leadership and team development at an international level. She is passionate about bringing a brand/company to life through the internalising of a brand promise through a company’s Service Culture and has had an integral role in the implementation and ongoing delivery of an on brand service culture for several international brands including W Hotels, Le Meridian, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Corinthia Hotels & Resorts to name a few.

Robyn works with organisations to create a solid Quality Assurance Framework with a final goal to deliver consistent and high quality experience bringing to life the company’s vision and values for the customer. An integral part of the success of this framework is the development of easy to follow and implement SOP documents and training for management and employees alike.

Prior to co-founding Impact Consulting, Robyn held the position of Vice President and Brand Leader for Design and Luxury brands for Starwood Hotels, Europe, Africa, & Middle East (EAME). In this role, she led the brand and Quality Assurance efforts of nine brands across 240 hotels. As VP Operational Innovation Robyn led the Innovation and Change Management initiatives for Starwood EAME across 240 hotels.

Currently residing in Malta Robyn has been the recipient of various professional and personal awards, including “Queensland Business Woman of the Year”, International Woman Chiefs of Enterprises Achievement Award for Contribution to the Australian Tourism Industry and Starwood “President’s Award”.

ROBYN PRATT

AFFILIATE

Toine (Yusuf) IJSSELDIJK
Toine (Yusuf) IJSSELDIJK is a hospitality and travel industry veteran with 25 years of hands-on experience in sales, marketing and distribution. His expertise includes pre-opening commercial readiness planning, traditional and digital marketing, distribution, as well as business reviews.

In his early career Toine was instrumental in setting-up and managing sales & marketing for Accor Asia Pacific in Indonesia. This resulted in a promotion to a senior role at Accor’s regional head office in Bangkok, responsible for sales for the group’s portfolio of hotels in Asia.

In 2008, Toine moved into the world of online travel, filling senior executive positions at Asia Web Direct, one of Asia’s pioneers in online travel, and Australia’s Wotif Group (now both successful online travel brands under Expedia Inc.). In 2010, with in-depth market expertise and a growing interest in entrepreneurship, he successfully embarked on a challenging mission: to launch Indonesia’s first home-grown online travel agent and wholesaler, thereby pioneering the archipelago’s emerging online travel market.

Toine returned to the hotel industry in 2014. He joined Tauzia Hotel Management, leading sales, marketing and distribution. Leveraging his in-depth expertise and extensive network, Toine recently set-up his own consulting firm. His integrity, bottom-line focused approach, analytical skills and pragmatism drive growth and profitability for stakeholders, through effective sales, marketing and distribution.

Toine currently resides in Indonesia, sharing his time between Jakarta and Bali.

TOINE (YUSUF) IJSSELDIJK

AFFILIATE

Vincenzo Perez
Vincenzo Perez started his hospitality career in 1986 and was the Italian Finalist at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or world cooking competition in Lyon, France just seven years later. He then went on an international culinary voyage as Executive Chef in luxury properties in Singapore, Lebanon and Portugal and has travelled as Guest Chef in Japan and Switzerland’s finest Hotels such as the Baur au Lac in Zurich or the Okura in Tokyo.

Early 2008, Vincenzo moved into a corporate culinary role, as one of the key team members of the hospitality division for a major mixed-use project development, The Pearl Qatar, where he was the main brain behind the planning, design and implementation of some of the most exciting and trendy F&B concepts on the island.

An expert in management of large culinary operations in high-end hotels, resorts and mixed-use projects, since 2013 Vincenzo specializes in F&B operational consulting, planning and design of foodservice facilities and commercial kitchens. With more than 25 years of professional experience in the luxury hospitality market, his main focus now is on conceptualization, planning, design, pre-opening and start-up of Food & Beverage concepts.

Presently residing in Dubai, Vincenzo holds a Baccalaureate in Hotel and Catering Technique from Italy’s prestigious Istituto Alberghiero di Stato Alassio and he is HACCP certified by Highfield Middle East and Asia. In addition, he is a certified ICMC (Italian Cuisine Master Chef) and, since 2014, a Professional Member of the world recognized FCSI (Foodservice Consultants Society International).

VINCENZO PEREZ

AFFILIATE

AZAT
Azat Ogulmus, BA, MSc, started her career in hospitality over 10 years ago. Her areas of expertise are Sales & Marketing and Business Development. Starting in hotel operations, a hotel pre-opening experience in Baku, Azerbaijan triggered her interest in hotel real estate development and project management.

Having worked for both hotel owners and operators, she understands the interests of both sides. Her cross-cultural communication skills and passion enable her to work with all stakeholders toward positive project outcomes in the region. Azat is an avid researcher, and is contributing to the global research project “Assessing New Hotel Opening Processes” in Turkey, Azerbaijan and a number of CIS Countries.

Presently residing in Istanbul, Azat holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Eastern Mediterranean University, as well as a Master of Science in International Tourism and Hotel Management from Oxford Brookes University. She was the recipient of Marriott’s prestigious Golden Circle Award – Bronze Level for her outstanding sales contribution in 2011. Azat is currently preparing for the Project Management Institute’s CAPM® examination.

AZAT OGULMUS

CONSULTANT

CINDY
Cindy Xing, MBA, started her career in hospitality in 2004 and developed an instant passion for new hotel openings. Over the past 7 years, she held senior Training and Development roles with one of the top 5 global hotel giants, and one of Asia’s leading luxury hospitality management companies.

A seasoned trainer and coach, Cindy’s rich career and real-life experience have provided her with broad and deep insights into the cultural aspects of (hospitality) management. Cindy has a natural talent for cross-culture communication, which enables her to work with multiple stakeholders toward positive project outcomes. In 2010, she started researching psychology in hospitality management, and continues integrating psychology to enhance her training and consulting performance.

Presently residing in Chongqing, Cindy holds a Master’s degree of Business Administration from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She has been certified as a Master Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming of NPL University US. Cindy is currently studying for her Master of Psychological Science at Chongqing’s Southwest University.

CINDY XING

CONSULTANT

DErek
Derek Martin, BCom, started his career in hospitality in 2006, and developed a passion for Revenue Management. Over the past 6 years, he held several senior property-based and corporate Revenue Management roles with regional and international brands, including one of Asia-Pacific’s leading hotel management companies.

In 2015 he moved to Asia-Pacific as Director of Revenue with one of the region’s leading hotel management companies. Having become aware of a talent shortfall in revenue and data analytics on the African continent, Derek returned to South Africa and founded TrevPAR World, a global consulting firm specializing in Total Revenue Management.

TrevPAR World is now 2 years old and does daily commercial management, revenue management, sales & marketing management and social media for over 56 hotels ranging from large international corporate brands to local independent hotels and lodges. The entire TrevPAR World portfolio is showing great results not only in terms of total revenues but also brand awareness.

Derek Martin is a member of the Stenden Advisory Board as well as the aha Hotels and Lodges Executive Board and currently is involved with hotel strategies and strategy development at the highest levels across a number of hotels on a daily basis.

Presently residing in South Africa, Derek holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hospitality Management from Stenden University’s School of Hotel Management in South Africa. His passion for Revenue Management led to the establishment of a Revenue School and the development of the very first Revenue Management degree on the African continent, in partnership with Stenden South Africa.

DEREK MARTIN

CONSULTANT

AmandaChong
Amanda Chong, BBA, is a result-driven marketing and communications executive with over 15 years of international and regional experience. She has successfully practiced her know-how in the hospitality, leisure, tourism, F&B;, attractions, lifestyle and entertainment industries. Amanda has worked for international brands such as Tourism Australia, Atlantis, The Palm Dubai, Tune Hotels, Sunway and Berjaya, to name a few.

Amanda has been involved in major pre-openings and rebranding campaigns for international hotel brands, an integrated retail development and attractions. A rich awareness and deep understanding of the marketing side of business, from large corporations, GLCs and SMEs, led to the creation of Gray Matters Consultancy. A vision founded upon building integrated marketing communications solutions with a difference, Amanda allows for successful brand management through the eyes of an individual with vast experience in the landscape of marketing.

Presently residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Amanda holds a Diploma in Hotel & Catering Management from Damansara Utama College, Malaysia, and a Bachelor’s degree of Business Administration in Tourism & Hospitality from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

AMANDA CHONG

AFFILIATE

David BINGLEy
David Bingley, is a second-generation Hotelier and Hospitality Professional, who has specialised in Food and Beverage Operations and Training, with a particular focus on Maximizing Labour Effectiveness and Labour Utilization though Cross Training and Engagement in both front and back of house highlighting the importance on the Service Processes, Customer Engagement and Product Knowledge. He has a passion for Creating Restaurant Concepts, Design and the Service Processes as well as Rebranding or Transforming Restaurant existing Concepts.

He has spent the past 20 years living and working in Asia, primarily in Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China and Thailand. Working for the largest international hotel chains as well as for regional and local properties and independent free standing brands David has covered a wide spectrum of the industry dynamics, from fine dining to night-spot entertainment to high-street casual dining and bar working up from supervisory level to Director of Food and Beverage and Hotel Manager.

Presently, David is perusing his passion for teaching, instructing and mentoring, in all aspects of food and beverage. He is a huge advocate for improving ROI through training programs, in particular for supervisory and junior management, effective communications and body language, problem solving and handling guest complaints, empowerment and integrity and Sales and Revenue Generation through teaching Situational Selling.

David Bingley

AFFILIATE

Gurvinder PATARA
Gurvinder Patara is the founder of Procurement Solutions Group (PSG). He is a modern and progressive procurement professional with over 20 years of international experience across Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. Gurvinder started his career in 1994 in Marketing with Barclays, and subsequently with RCI and Cendant where he formed the Cendant Europe procurement function.

In 2008, he became Director of International Procurement for Wyndham Worldwide, and was promoted to Vice President of International Procurement 2 years later.

Gurvinder has a proven track record to develop and deliver procurement, and business development strategies across multiple sourcing categories in the hospitality sector.

He has developed and managed a comprehensive international supply chain to deliver cost savings, provide operational expertise and add value throughout the procurement process. His fortes include strong supplier partnerships and network, and driving cost savings strategies through innovation, collaboration and procurement best practice. To date, he has delivered £80m cost savings for its clients.

Presently residing in Kettering, United Kingdom, Gurvinder holds a B.A. Honours degree in Business Studies from the Birmingham City University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the University Northampton International College. He is also a published author, writing children’s books to help raise money for various charities.

Gurvinder Patara

AFFILIATE

Anna Stackler
Anna Stackler is a highly experienced hospitality executive with over 30 years of experience in senior management roles across Europe, Africa, Indonesia and China. Her career involves General Management and Rooms Division, and specializing in the opening and repositioning of hospitality assets.

Anna was the driving force behind a number of corporate projects, including Project Assessor, development of Leadership Competencies for the hotel industry and development of a comprehensive Hotel Opening Kit.

After an international career with IHG that spanned 24 years, Anna returned to her native Austria to set-up her own hospitality consulting firm. Her strengths are in working with different cultures and stakeholders to drive for results and quality. Anna has received several Working Model of the Year Awards from the municipal governments of Shijiazhuang, Pudong New Area People Government and Dalian Zhongshan District Trade Union for her contributions to these cities.

ANNA STACKLER

AFFILIATE

Dr. Alan Powell

Dr. Alan Powell is a relationship focused leader who simply leverages Income Generation.

A scarce resource, he applies Communication, Teaming and Commercialization skills to root engineering skills - as a manufacturing and productivity solutions architect, along with five-decades of proven commercial income development, within hundreds of enterprise engagements, all sizes of commercial entity, and over four continents.

Knowing that ‘Failure’ is a virtual commercial certainty, while fully understanding just what it takes to develop a successful business entity, he brings unquestionable capability [93% Success Rate] as a relationship manager and team leader, while offering visionary ‘to-market’ solution design skills to achieve typical ‘Revenue Doubling’ [192% average + 530% peak multinational corporate growth rate] outcomes - ‘Year-upon-Year-upon-Year’ [for periods extending to 5 years].

As ‘Rainmaker’ Program Director, Team Mentor and Coach he is totally committed to the open ‘transfer of skills’ for the attainment of timely successful outcomes, through measured Team Member selection practice, and each Individual’s tailored development.

ALAN POWELL

RAINMAKER

MAXWELL ZETLIN

Maxwell Zetlin is the charismatic Founder and CEO of ExtraPro Entertainment Ltd., a Hong Kong registered Entertainment Solutions firm. Maxwell brings his global experience to the entertainment sector of hospitality as a passionate and innovative leader specializing in conceptual development and business modeling. Together with his business partner and counterpart Ted Mizrahi, a 30-year entertainment technical veteran, ExtraPro establishes a pragmatic end to end approach to developing some of the largest and most complex entertainment spectacles around the world.

From the US to Southeast Asia, Maxwell has extensive experience developing and operating some of the largest entertainment installations globally. Endeavoring to reinvent the industry and explore new boundaries, Maxwell draws from his experiences working in the most competitive entertainment markets around the world fusing cultural influences to develop iconic entertainment experiences.

Specializing in concept development, business modeling, and resource planning Maxwell's creativity and exemplary business acumen enables him to overcome the most complex challenges while consistently delivering successful entertainment projects around the world. Some of his most notable projects include: Marquee Nightclub, Tao Beach club, Lavo Las Vegas, Megu Trump Tower New York, and in 2013, he was brought in to lead the development of the $120 million dollar entertainment venue Cove Manila (Southeast Asia’s biggest indoor beach club and nightclub, part of the $3 billion dollar integrated resort giant Okada Manila). He was designated as Vice President of Entertainment before moving to establish ExtraPro Entertainment.

MAXWELL ZETLIN

AFFILIATE

RICH PALIWODA
Ryszard (Rich) Paliwoda is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of PLX Partners, an executive advisory business based in the United States, helping organizations enter and grow in the hospitality industry. Rich has over 25 years of global accomplishments across multiple functions in the hospitality (Cendant, Wyndham Worldwide) financial services (Reuters) and telecommunications (AT&T, Lucent Technologies) industries.

Prior to launching PLX Partners, Rich was the project manager for the Wyndham Worldwide IPO in 2006 and then held executive positions in Corporate Compliance, Real Estate Development and Strategic Sourcing. He managed Wyndham’s sourcing technology solutions and procurement e-commerce platforms and led global business development of the Strategic Sourcing program for the Wyndham Hotel Group, Wyndham Vacation Ownership and RCI.

Rich’s specializes in business transformation initiatives including implementing technology solutions, improving processes, establishing supplier relationships and developing new revenue streams. His extensive hospitality and supplier network enables clients to quickly scale their operations.

RICH PALIWODA

AFFILIATE

Markrobinson
Mark Robson is CEO of EQ Hospitality. He has spent over a decade at the forefront of executive search for hospitality companies and is considered the benchmark in world-class service quality. Before launching EQ Hospitality, Mark was Managing Partner for Profile Asia Pacific for the last five years. He was also responsible for opening Portfolio International’s Asian business.

Highly regarded by hospitality and leisure industry leaders across the world, Mark is well known for his commitment and empathy towards both clients and candidates. His reputation as an authority in talent acquisition also reflects a solid operations background in the industry.

He is based in Hong Kong and can be reached at mark@eqhospitality.com

MARK ROBINSON

AFFILIATE

PAUL DEAN
PAUL DEAN

• 30+ years involvement with international resort development and recreational real estate, with an emphasis on mixed use resorts;
• Hands-on involvement with the setting up of resorts and product legal structures in more than 20 jurisdictions;
• Creation of innovative product structures for recreational real estate including project governance, rental programs and owner services
• Distressed resort project workouts and turnarounds;
• Extensive experience of working with global hospitality brands including Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Jumeirah, Kempinski, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott, Starwood plus boutique and regional brands such as Banyan Tree, Gleneagles, Isrotel, Onyx, Savoy Madeira, Six Senses, Soneva, Yoo
• Co-author of Encyclopaedia of Forms & Precedents Vo; 41A - Shared Ownership published by Lexis-Nexis;

EXPERTISE: All forms of Recreational Real Estate including Branded Residences, Buy-to-Use-and-Let; Condo-hotels, Fractional Interests, Private Residence Clubs plus vacation ownership. Feasibility analysis, financial modelling, concept development and product design, product legal structuring, usage plan design, preparation of operating budgets, reserve funding, hands-on experience with start-ups plus implementation of marketing and sales strategies and subsequent management and oversight.
Please check out the Dean and Associates website at: www.dean-and-associates.com for more information.

Paul Dean is the founder and principal of Dean and Associates. Paul has 30+ years involvement with international resort development and recreational real estate, with an emphasis on mixed use resorts. He has been hands-on involved with the setting-up of resorts and product legal structures in more than 20 jurisdictions.

His expertise cover all forms of Recreational Real Estate, including Branded Residences, Buy-to-Use-and-Let, Condo-hotels, Fractional Interests, Private Residence Clubs and Vacation Ownership. Paul has created innovative product structures for recreational real estate including project governance, rental programs and owner services. In addition, Paul is an expert in distressed project workouts and turnarounds.

Paul has extensive working experience with leading global hospitality brands, including Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Jumeirah, Kempinski, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott, Starwood, as well as boutique and regional brands, such as Banyan Tree, Gleneagles, Isrotel Hotels, Onyx, Savoy Madeira, Six Senses, Soneva and Yoo.

Currently residing in Phuket, Paul is the co-author of Encyclopaedia of Forms & Precedents Vo; 41A – Shared Ownership, published by Lexis-Nexis.

PAUL DEAN

AFFILIATE

GARETH BOYTT
Gareth has over 35 years’ experience in all facets of hospitality management, hotel refurbishment and construction, business management and property development. He has worked across continents in Egypt, Thailand, Maldives, Greater China, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand. His roles have ranged from line & general management through to corporate and as principle.

His hospitality career has seen him work for hotel and tourism companies like Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels and Resorts, Red Sea International Hotels, Toga Hospitality, Choice Hotels International, Dusit Thani Group, Compass Group, Patterson Consulting and AHS Hospitality. He is alumni of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and the University of Western Australia.

Over the last four years, Gareth has been bringing together the best of unitized construction designs from Europe, the United States and China to launch the building of mid-scale hotels, and developing leading edge data management and automation technology for the hospitality industry.


GARETH BOYTT

SPECIAL ADVISOR - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Bill O’Leary
Bill O’Leary is a professional master mariner and veteran maritime tourism development advisor with 3 decades of hands-on entrepreneurial and managerial experience in the ASEAN region. He advises governments, private clients, developers and exclusive luxury resort brands on ocean-front leisure, marine tourism projects and eco-friendly coastal management systems.

Bill’s expertise covers maritime project feasibility, planning, design, construction, project development, maintenance and operations of luxury resorts’ white-boat fleets, fast commercial ferries, marinas, breakwaters and private piers, exclusive beach-fronts, game fishing and scuba diving operations.

Bill currently resides in Phuket, sharing his time between Bangkok, Brisbane, Singapore, LA and Kuala Lumpur. He is the founder and co-author of the internationally acclaimed “Southeast Asia Pilot”, the ultimate super yacht cruising guide. Bill is also a shareholder in Galileo Maritime Academy and the co-founder of the only luxury rehab in Phuket www.miraclesasia.com.


BILL O’LEARY

SPECIAL ADVISOR – MARITIME TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

ANGELO BALBI
Angelo Balbi has more than 30 years of hospitality experience, with his first steps being in Food & Beverage and Front Office in Monaco and Italy. In 1989 he entered the cruise industry and joined Princess Cruises, serving for 15 years and rising to the rank of Hotel Director. After a short stint as hospitality consultant in Zanzibar, Tanzania and Papua New Guinea, Angelo boarded once again and joined MSC Cruises, where he is currently serving as Hotel Director.

In his 25-year cruise industry career, Angelo has been involved in the launch of 5 new cruise vessels. In 1989 he was part of the launch and maiden voyage of the Crown Princess, a 70,000 ton vessel for 2,000 passengers and 670 crew, the world’s largest cruise ship ever built at the time.

Angelo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts from the Marco Polo MIB School of Hotel Management in Genoa, Italy. He frequently contributes articles on the cruise industry to tourism magazines in Italy.

ANGELO BALBI

SPECIAL ADVISOR - CRUISE SHIPS

The book

PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF HOTEL OPENING PROCESSES, EXPLORING BETTER WAYS TO OPEN NEW HOTELS
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF HOTEL OPENING PROCESSES, EXPLORING BETTER WAYS TO OPEN NEW HOTELS

More than 85 occupations across a wide variety of functions and industries use project management to plan and execute projects efficiently and effectively. Despite high growth on the global scale, hospitality does not rank amongst these industries, so now is the perfect time to transform the hotel sector via strategic project management. Project Management of Hotel Opening Processes was written for hotel-opening project managers, developers, vendors, owners, asset managers and hospitality educational institutions. The book explains how traditional approaches to launching hotels do not work efficiently, cause multiple delays and cannot be scaled. Author Gert Noordzy introduces more effective strategies and guides readers on how to build foundations for success when it comes to meeting deadlines. Project Management of Hotel Opening Processes is an in-depth examination of modern management concepts in the hospitality industry.
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