Arik Kono

Arik spearheads new-build and conversion hotel development activity across the southern United States and the Caribbean for IHG’s upscale brands. With over 20 years of experience, Arik specializes in hotel real estate development. As Vice President, North America Development and Acquisitions for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Arik delivered against global growth objectives by expanding the development pipeline across all segments and project types. He was responsible for developing seven of Starwood’s nine franchise brands, including Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft, Element, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, and Luxury Collection in the United States and the Caribbean. During football season, Arik never misses an opportunity to watch his alma mater, the University of Alabama. Additionally, he is an avid golfer and enjoys traveling and spending time at home with his two dogs.

Alexey Korobkin

Alexey Korobkin is the Senior Development Director MEA at IHG^®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He joined IHG in 2021 and was responsible for leading the expansion of IHG’s brand portfolio in the Russia, CIS, Georgia, Ukraine & Baltics region through franchise and management agreements. Since 2022 he joined the MEA team and is looking after among others the expansion in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Kuwait and further countries.

Prior to joining IHG in 2021, Alexey spent 8 years in development roles at Azimut Hotels, Marriott International and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). In that time, Alexey helped to expand the portfolio of brands in the region and drive strong returns for owners. Prior to working in hotel development, Alexey headed the Moscow Consulting & Valuation practice of HVS Global Hospitality Services, where he specialized in strategic consulting, valuations and investment advisory across Russia & the CIS.

Alexey also worked for various hotel management companies within the hospitality industry across Europe, USA and Russia in operational departments including Rooms Division, Revenue Management and Food & Beverage.

Alexey obtained a BSc in Economics and Finance from the University of London, and holds an MBA in Hotel Management from César Ritz, Switzerland.

Henning Kreckel

Henning Kreckel is the Senior Development Manager for DACH at IHG^®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for the development and growth of IHG’s brand portfolio across Germany.

Prakash Krishamurthy

Prakash Krishnamurthy is the Director Transactions & Asset Management for Europe at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for the development and growth of IHG’s brand portfolio across Europe, with a focus on priority markets within the region.

Alex Kuhl

Alex oversees the development of branded management agreements, joint ventures, and franchise opportunities for new-build and conversion hotels for Regent Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in IHG’s Americas region. Additionally, he holds the same responsibilities for Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, and EVEN Hotels in the NYC metro area. During his 16-year career with IHG, he has held various Director-level positions within development, operations, and sales and marketing. Previously, he worked for Millennium & Copthorne Hotels and Starwood Hotels & Resorts in various capacities. Alex earned a BA in History from Denison University and a Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management from Cornell University. Outside of the office, Alex enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two young daughters, hitting the ski slopes, boating on the open waters, and barbecuing for family and friends.

Nishant Kumar

Nishant Kumar is the Director of Development for South West Asia at IHG®, responsible for the development and growth of IHG’s brand portfolio across the region.

Nishant has over 18 years of experience in Real Estate, Infrastructure and the hospitality industry. Since joining IHG in 2017, he has been instrumental in expanding IHG’s brand footprint across the South West Asia region. His key signings include the debut of the Staybridge Suites brand in Bengaluru, the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, InterContinental Bengaluru, and relaunching the InterContinental brand in Sri Lanka with the signing of InterContinental Colombo. He also led the signing of a four-hotel portfolio deal under Holiday Inn brand family, which uniquely positions IHG as the first international operator in the Buddhist Circuit of India.

Prior to IHG, Nishant was with Starwood Hotel & Resorts where he was a key member of its i100 plan to induce strong growth momentum for its brands in SWA region.. Before joining Starwood, Nishant was with DLF Limited, where he represented the ownership core team to form the DLF-Hilton joint venture in India, as well as the acquisition of Aman Resorts portfolio in 2007.

Nishant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance with a minor in Economics and received his PGDBA from IMT Ghaziabad.

Valentina Laborde

Valentina drives the promotion, prospecting, and sales of all IHG brands throughout Mexico. A 15-year veteran of IHG, she previously served as Direct Marketing Commercial Director for MegaDirect and Director Corporate/Founding Partner at Globacom. Valentina has a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and has completed a graduate seminar on studies in tourism. Passionate about travel, walk, art, music, and culture, Valentina loves sharing experiences with her two sons, such as exploring museums, observing architecture, and tasting new foods. When at home, she enjoys hosting gatherings and cooking meals for her family.

Shi'ai Liang

Shi'ai Liang is the Senior Development Director for South East Asia & Korea at IHG^®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. She is responsible for the expansion of IHG’s brand portfolio across South East Asia & Korea, particularly in Malaysia, Maldives and Cambodia.

Shi'ai joined IHG with over 14 years of experience in hotel development. Prior to IHG, she was Vice President, Head of Development APAC for Blueground, the world's leading flexible living operator. During her time with Blueground, she signed strategic partnership agreements for Blueground's entry into Japan and Thailand. Before Blueground, she held hotel development roles with Marriott International, Rosewood Hotel Group, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

Shi’ai holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University, with a concentration in real estate finance.

Alex Mai

أليكس مسؤول عن وضع الإستراتيجية والتخطيط والتفاوض / تنفيذ الصفقات الفندقية وإدارة نمو وتوسع جميع العلامات التجارية لفنادق ومنتجعات IHG في أمريكا اللاتينية ودول الكاريبي. يتمتع أليكس بأكثر من 25 سنة من الخبرة العملية في الفنادق والمنتجعات والعلامات التجارية والعقارية والتشغيل. وقد عمل على مئات الأصول الفندقية والمفاوضات والعروض الفندقية في جميع أنحاء الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية ومنطقة البحر الكاريبي اللاتينية.

Prior to joining IHG, Alex was the Head of Development and Vice President of development for Latin America & Caribbean for Choice Hotels International and Radisson Hotels Group Americas, where he was responsible for the growth of all brands. Alex was also President & Founder of ALBA Hospitality from 2020 to 2022, where he was responsible for strategic asset positioning, management contract negotiations, and hotel real estate transactions. Prior to that, Alex worked for Hilton Hotels Corporation from 2007 to 2020 holding various Management positions in Development, Brand Management for Full & Focused Service, Owners Relations, and Training. In his free time, Alex enjoys exercising outdoors with his wife and Siberian Husky and watching European Soccer matches.