Programme

THE-ICE 19^th IPoE Forum 2026

27 – 29 September 2026

Proudly hosted by César Ritz Colleges

Englisch-Gruss-Strasse 43, CH-3902 Brig, Switzerland

THE-ICE IPoE Forum 2026 will bring together global leaders from tourism, hospitality and events (TH&E) research, education and industry to explore the theme: Redefining Leadership: Innovating for Impact in Global Tourism and Hospitality Education.

The programme for THE-ICE 19th IPoE Forum 2026 is outlined below.

Programme last updated: 1 September 2026

This programme will continue to be updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed.

Download the programme (PDF)

Jump to: Day 0 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Day 0 – Sunday, 27 September 2026

9:00 am – 10:00 am

Location: Four Seasons Room

THE-ICE College of Fellows Meeting (THE-ICE College of Fellows only)

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Location: Four Seasons Room

THE-ICE Board Meeting (THE-ICE Board of Directors only)

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Location: Four Seasons Room

THE-ICE Assessment Panel Annual Meeting (THE-ICE Assessment Panel only)

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Location: Four Seasons Room

THE-ICE VErifier Meeting (THE-ICE VErifiers only)

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Afternoon Refreshments

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Location: Auditorium

Symposium: THE-ICE VErified – a new international certification recognising excellence in vocational TH&E education

This session will introduce THE-ICE VErified framework, hear directly from the first VErified institution, École Hôtelière Genève, and open the floor for discussion and questions on how THE-ICE VErified can support institutional recognition, benchmarking, and continuous improvement.

Presenters:

Dr Craig Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, THE-ICE
Ms Susanne Welle, Director, École Hôtelière Genève, Switzerland
Ms Delphine Genin, Academic Director, École Hôtelière Genève, Switzerland

This symposium is open to all delegates.

5:30 pm

Location: Lobby, Themis and Xenius residences, César Ritz Colleges

Welcome Reception

Day 1 – Monday, 28 September 2026

8:00 am – 8:30 am

Location: School lobby/reception area

THE-ICE 19th IPoE Forum 2026 Registration & Concierge Desk Open

8:30 am – 10:00 am

Location: Auditorium

Welcome & Official Opening

Introduction by MC: Luminita Panuta, Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business Management, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland
Welcome by Ms Gienke Osinga, Chair, THE-ICE Board of Directors
Welcome by Dr Antonina Santalova, Dean, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland
Welcome by Mr Hérve Fournier, Former Director, César Ritz Colleges Bouveret, Switzerland
Welcome by Mrs Susan Fournier, Past President I-CHRIE, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland
Welcome by Mr Yves Rey, Head of the Higher Education Service, Department of Economic Affairs and Education, Canton of Valais, Switzerland
Welcome by Ms Isabelle Hanselmann, City Councillor, Municipality of Brig-Glis, Switzerland

Keynote Speaker: Mr Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Hong Kong

10:00 am – 10:30 am

Morning Refreshments

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Auditorium

Plenary Panel Session
Focus: Transformational leadership in TH&E education

This plenary will examine how transformational leadership can drive meaningful change in tourism, hospitality, and events education. Discussion will focus on leaders who inspire innovation, foster inclusive and adaptive cultures, and lead institutions through disruption and uncertainty. Panellists will share perspectives on strategic vision, change management, and the role of values-driven leadership in shaping the future of TH&E education.

Chair: Mr Andrea Catanoso, Senior Teaching Faculty, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland

Panellists:
Ms Marion Amacker, Partner, Page Executive, Switzerland
Mr Giovanni Odaglia, Managing Director, Les Roches Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Mr Francis Reichenbach, General Manager, Le Mirabeau Resort & Spa, Switzerland
Professor Mei-Jung Sebrina Wang, Vice President, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT), Taiwan

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: Sheraton Room

Roundtable World Café Session / Panel 2
Focus: Innovative pedagogies for creativity and entrepreneurial thinking

This subtheme explores teaching and learning approaches that cultivate creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial mindsets among students. It highlights experiential learning, industry-embedded projects, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of real-world challenges to prepare graduates to create value, adapt to change, and generate new opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sector.

Chair: Dr Haitao Zhang, Associate Professor, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland

Panellists:
Mr Jérémie Laurent, General Manager, Hotel d’Angleterre, Switzerland
Ms Claudia Schmid, Quality Manager, EHL Hotel School Passugg, Switzerland
Mr Yannick Bouyidou, Founder, BY Excellence and Lecturer, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Location: Sheraton Room

Strategic Partner Presentation: Etio, THE-ICE ISBSB 2026 Results

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Afternoon Refreshments

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Location: Auditorium

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

4:30 pm

City Tour & Dining Experience

Guided walking tour of Brig’s old town, followed by optional dinner

Day 2 – Tuesday, 29 September 2026

8:30 am – 9:00 am

Welcome Refreshments

9:00 am

Location: Sheraton Room

Introduction by MC: Coniah Hara, Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Business Management, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Location: Sheraton Room

Roundtable World Café Session / Panel 3
Focus: Reshaping service excellence through digital tools and AI

This theme focuses on how digital transformation and artificial intelligence are redefining service excellence in tourism and hospitality. Sessions will examine the integration of AI, data analytics, and emerging technologies into both industry practice and education, considering how these tools enhance customer experience, operational efficiency, and personalised service while raising important questions around ethics, skills, and human–technology balance.

Chair: Dr Giuseppina Menconi, Associate Professor, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland

Panellists:
Mr Antoine Casanova–Mazet, Head of Innovation, HIM Business School, Switzerland
Dr Dai-In Danny Han, Professor, Future of Food at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Ms Sofia Rodrigues, Founder and CEO, The-Guest Club by TruZt AG, Switzerland

10:30 am – 11:00 am

Morning Refreshments

11:00 am – 11:45 am

Location: Sheraton Room

THE-ICE Research Grant Scheme (RGS) 2026 Presentation 1

Contextualising case studies integrating industry and AI tools undertaking design thinking approaches.

Presenter:

Dr Effie Steriopoulos, Senior Lecturer, William Angliss Institute, Australia

11:45 am – 12:30 pm

Location: Sheraton Room

THE-ICE Research Grant Scheme (RGS) 2026 Presentation 2

Reimagining Excellence: A Framework for Embedding Regenerative Leadership Competencies into Tourism and Hospitality Higher Education Standards.

Presenters:

Dr Joy Sheelah Era, Research Fellow, Far Eastern University, Philippines

Dr Jocelyn Camalig, Chairperson, Hotel and Restaurant Administration, Lyceum of the Philippines University – Manila, Philippines

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Location: Sheraton Room

Roundtable World Café Session / Panel 4
Focus: Building a resilient industry through global cooperation

This subtheme addresses the importance of international collaboration in strengthening the resilience and sustainability of the tourism and hospitality industry. It emphasises cross-border partnerships between educators, institutions, industry, and policymakers to share knowledge, address global challenges, and co-develop solutions that support workforce development, crisis preparedness, and long-term sectoral resilience.

Chair: Dr Paola Ossola, Associate Professor, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland

Panellists:
Mr Lars von der Wettern, Founding Host & Managing Director, Singular Places Better Travel GmbH, Germany
Ms Sarah Haslebacher, Partnerships Manager, Switzerland Tourism, Switzerland
Professor Shuhong Zhao, Dean, School of Business and Tourism Management, Yunnan University, China

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Location: Sheraton Room

Wrap-Up Session
Rapporteur: Ms Gienke Osinga, Chair, THE-ICE Board of Directors

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Afternoon Refreshments

7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Location: Restaurant Jungfrau-Aletsch, Bahnhofstrasse 9a, 3904 Naters

Gala Dinner

Day 3 – Wednesday, 30 September 2026

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Location: Four Seasons Room

Strategic Board Meeting (THE-ICE Board of Directors only)

11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Aletsch Glacier Experience

Post-Forum excursion to Bettmerhorn and the Great Aletsch Glacier

Sponsorship opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please email elise@the-ice.org for details.

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With the kind support of the following organisations: