As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nagi Morkos founder and managing partner of Hodema Consulting Services moderated the panel “Changing perceptions: what Lebanese influencers and bloggers are doing to promote Lebanon” which was held on April 8th 2021. The ninth virtual roundtable gathered well-known bloggers social media influencers and communications professionals to interact virtuallyand suggest ways in which Lebanon can be promoted particularly online. The panel included: Eddy Bitar cofounder of Live Love Beirut; Marwan Habib managing partner of Yummy Solutions SARL; LisaJerejian editor of Lebanon Traveler and communications manager of Hospitality Services; Lucas Lamah managing partner ofBeiruting.com; Christina Naim blogger – Lebanon Eats & Traveling with Thyme; and Anthony Rahayel founder ofNoGarlicNoOnions.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj2t9l5jBSQ

As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nada Alameddine managing partner of Hodema Consulting Services moderated the panel “Lebanon’s general managers discuss challenges and the changing hospitality landscape” which was held on March 31st 2021. The eighth virtual roundtable invited hoteliers from some of Lebanon’s top properties to share their experiences and suggest ways in which tourism could be supported during these immensely uncertain times. The panel included: Chadi Gedeon GM of Mövenpick Hotel Beirut; Hala Massaad GM of Raouché Arjaan by Rotana; Cyril Mouawad hotel manager of Le Royal Hotel Beirut; Georges Ojeil GM of Four Seasons Hotel Beirut; Manrique Rodriguez GM of Phoenicia InterContinental Beirut; and Mark Timbrell GM of Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unxCdPwaQrw

As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nagi Morkos founder and managing partner of Hodema Consulting Services moderated the panel “From Lebanon to the world: connecting local brands to international buyers” which was held on March 25th 2021. The seventh virtual roundtable invited producers and importers to discuss challenges and opportunities and highlighted ways food and beverage firms in Lebanon could enter the export market. The panel included: Rani Azzi commercial director of Sodimo (France); Joseph Bitar CEO of Lebanos Food Trading; Marwan Fares CEO of Food Choice Companies; Fady Gemayel president of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI); Georges Nasrawi VP of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI); Laila Slim director of Tropifrais; Philippe Massoud founder and owner of ilili Restaurant and ilili Box; and Faouzi Issa co-owner and winemaker of Domaine des Tourelles.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7los-6ps7y4

As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nada Alameddine managing partner of Hodema Consulting Services moderated the panel “What Lebanon’s municipalities are doing to boost tourism” which was held on March 18th 2021. During this sixth virtual roundtable heads of municipalities and rural tourism specialists discussed what projects are being undertaken to encourage visitors to their regions. The panel included: Nazih Abi Semaan president of Ehmej Municipality; Khalil Harfouche president of the Union of Jezzine Municipalities; Joe Saad president of Rachaya El Wadi Municipality; Omar Sakr president of the Lebanon Mountain Trai lAssociation; Bassam Salameh president of Kfardebian Municipality; and Georges Youssef president of Menjez Municipality.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAt5CK40Pas

As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nagi Morkos founder and managing partner of Hodema Consulting Services moderated the panel “Guesthouses and alternative lodging in Lebanon: Smart marketing during an economic crisis” which took place on March 11th 2021. The fifth virtual roundtable gathered a panel of industry professionals including guesthouse owners and communication specialists to examine how guesthouses and privately run accommodations in Lebanon can promote themselves during dire economic conditions. The panel included: Lisa Jerejian editor of Lebanon Traveler and communications manager of Hospitality Services; Joseph Kalaydjian founder and CEO of Cheez Hospitality; Faysal Saab managing partner of Al-Haush Agritourism; Ramzi Salman founder and owner of Bkerzay eco village; Sarah Trad owner of Beit Trad; Mardig Troshagerian architect entrepreneur and Airbnb host; and Elsa Yazbek Charabati senior journalist travel and communication expert of Voyage Voyage bi Lebnen.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzttA5wBAcQ

As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nagi Morkos founder and managing partner of Hodema Consulting Services moderated the panel “The catering and events industries in Lebanon: adapting to a new normal” which was held on March 4th 2021. The fourth virtual roundtable invited a panel of industry professionals including chefs caterers and event planners to discuss the challenges the sector has faced as a result of Covid-19 economic paralysis and other factors. The panel included: Charles Arbid president of Lebanon’s Socio-Economic Council; Karim Audi owner and GM of Nicolas Audi Catering; Ghada Blanco founder of Ghada Blanco Weddings & Events; Nicolas Cattan owner and GM of Cat & Mouth Catering; Hussein Hadid chef caterer and food consultant; and Mariana Wehbe founder and creative director of Mariana Wehbe PR.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dPtjpZ8y4A

As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nada Alameddine managing partner of Hodema Consulting Services moderated the panel “Hospitality education in Lebanon in 2021 and beyond” which took place on February 25th 2021. This third virtual roundtable invited a panel of academics and education providers to discuss the latest developments in hospitality education learning and development and how their respective institutions have been responding to the pressures of Covid-19 as well as challenges specific to Lebanon: currency devaluation political uncertainty etc. The panel included: Celine Boutros director of the Institut de Gestion des Entreprises (IGE) Saint Joseph University; Micheline Housseini Timbrell founder and CEO of PHI Management; Tanios Kassis dean of the Faculty of Tourism & Hotel Management Sagesse University; Said Ladki chair of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department Lebanese American University; and Olivier Pallut technical director of Le Cordon Bleu Lebanon.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NafbgrTmtjo

As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nada Alameddine managing partner of Hodema Consulting Services moderated the panel “What 2021 holds for Lebanon’s hospitality industry” which was held on February 18th 2021. The second virtual roundtable gathered a panel of experts who discussed the state of the industry the latest developments and how to improve the impact of COVID-19 and other challenges. The speakers also proposed ways to boost recovery in 2021 and attract foreign tourists. The panel included: Jean Abboud president of the Association of Travel and Tourist Agents in Lebanon; Pierre Achkar president ofthe Federation for Tourism and the Hotel Association in Lebanon; Elissar Baalbaki president of the Lebanese Tour GuidesSyndicate; Jean Beyrouthy president of the Syndicate of Balnear Tourist Establishments in Lebanon; Yahya Kassaa president ofthe Lebanese Franchise Association; and Tony Ramy president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants Cafes Night-Clubs &Pastries in Lebanon.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEqRAg2nxY0

As part of a series of 12 talks powered by Hospitality News Middle East and funded by the USAID Lebanon Enterprise development (LED) project Nagi Morkos founder and managing partner at Hodema Consulting services moderated the panel “How Covid-19 is changing the shape of the restaurant industry: challenges and opportunities in 2021” which was held on February 4th 2021. This first virtual roundtable called upon the expertise of prominent restaurateurs and industry professionals in Lebanon to share their experiences and propose ways to move forward. The panel included: Karim Chebaklo CEO of Par Contre Holding; Henri Farah cofounder and CEO of Kampcatering SAL and Kampcatering Offshore; Nael Halawani cofounder and COO of Toters; Aline Kamakian owner of Mayrig and Batchig; Kamal Mouzawak founder of Tawlet Beirut; and Tony Ramy president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants Cafes Night-Clubs and Pastries in Lebanon.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WetEAU6qlnU

Hodema’s partner Nagi Morkos attended the consultative meeting with the Minister of Tourism and Social Affairs Professor Ramzi Al-Musharrafi which took place on May 11th 2020 at Lebanon’s Economic and Social Council to discuss the government’s measures to support the tourism sector.

Hodema co-organized with Hospitality Services a webinar on Tuesday May 5th 2020 gathering the region’s F&B industry experts to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and to highlight upcoming challenges and opportunities. Nada Alameddine managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services moderated a panel of speakers among which Prince Waleed Al-Saud founder and president of Qoot Essam Fakhreddin president of the Restaurants Association Jordan Naim Maadad co-founder of the Middle East Restaurants Association UAE and Tony Ramy president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants Cafes Nightclubs & Pastries Lebanon who shared their thoughts and opinions. The webinar had also interventions from Frank Bordoni head of culinary at Alshaya Group Kuwait and Hossam Heiba chairman and managing director of Orbis Capital & Investments Egypt.

To watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MByv5vfd-PE

For the second consecutive year Hodema participated in Horeca Kuwait that occured from January 20th to 22nd 2020 at Kuwait International Fair. Hodema co-organized the Annual Hospitality Forum in collaboration with Leaders Group for consulting & development-Kuwait and Hospitality News ME and moderated several panels among which “Emerging trends in Food and Beverage” “Ideas and trends shaping today’s catering industry” and “The advantages of online food ordering systems for restaurants”.