Hodema was invited to be a guest speaker at the School of Tourism and Hotel Management at the University of Balamand in Koura to share its professional experience and insights about the hospitality and tourism industry in Lebanon and Gulf region with the students and faculty members. A 60-minute session hosted by Nagi Morkos Nada Alameddine and Toufic Akl from Hodema was held to discuss the challenges and trends of the food & beverage industry in Lebanon as well as the keys to open a successful restaurant.

Hosted at Hospitality Services offices in Beirut Nagi Morkos managing partner at Hodema and roundtable moderator gathered a diverse group of restaurateurs health professionals and industry notables at a food safety roundtable in the wake of the current “food scandal” that has plagued Lebanon. All participants discussed their individual challenges and offered advice and solutions.

Hodema in collaboration with Wondereight and Geoges Chidiac Architects participated in Saudi Horeca the Saudi International food beverage and hospitality exhibition which took place from November 18 to 20 2014 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. The event gathered more than 70 exhibitors among which food processing technologies skills and equipment canning dairy and food processing packaging frozen food refrigeration and thermo processing fruits and vegetables fisheries milk products meat and poultry bakery and confectionery equipment beverages food grains and hospitality consultants.

Hodema team attended “Salon du Chocolat” and “Beirut Cooking Festival” which took place in November 2014 at Biel in Lebanon. This show presents several events such as chocolate gourmet workshops with more than 20 pastry chefs and over 50 exhibitors gathered in celebration of chocolate in addition to the renowned chocolate Fashion Show with famous pastry chefs and designers.

Managing partner Nagi Morkos participated in Kalam el Nas episode that was broadcasted on May 18th 2014 at Zaitunay Bay in Beirut. This episode hosted by Mr. Marcel Ghanem to promote “Live Love Lebanon” Campaign gathered various key players of the tourism industry among which His Excellency Mr. Michel Pharaon Minister of Tourism Mrs. Barbara Massaad food consultant Eddy Bitar founding member of Live Love Lebanon Mr. Anthony Rahayel owner of No Garlic No Onion food blog and many others.

Hodema participated in Beirut International Franchise Forum and Exhibition (Bifex) that was held on April 29 and 30 2014 at Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut Lebanon. The two-day program tackled various topics including economic diplomacy high streets’ revival mediation and arbitration social media bloggers and welcomed high-level and international speakers ministers ambassadors leading legal experts municipality leaders and officials of economic organizations.

For the 9th consecutive year Hodema participated in Horeca the annual hospitality and food exhibition which took place at Biel Lebanon from April 1 to 4 2014. The trade show gathered over 250 companies including catering equipment packaging hygiene pastry and bakery food beverage consultancy recruitment and franchise education as well as the international pavilions.

Hodema participated as Gold sponsor speaker and moderator in the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) which took place in March 2014 at Conrad Duabi. Hosted by Bench Events this annual trade show gathers investors hoteliers Food and Beverage brands owners franchisors franchisees suppliers and other key industry professionals across the region. The GRIF conference programme includes over 50 industry leaders expert speakers and moderators who lead debates and share business knowledge on topics such as Food and Beverage openings trends worldwide macro-economics latest global concepts and brands to look out for in the future.

Hodema participated in Gulfood an exhibition gathering 5 000 participants from 120 countries. The event took place at the Dubai World Trade Center in February 2014. This annual tradeshow presents the latest trends and innovations in the food and beverage sectors including foodservice and hospitality equipment in the United Arab Emirates.

Hodema participated in Saudi Horeca the Saudi International food beverage and hospitality exhibition which took place from December 10 to 12 2013 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. The event featured a host of activities and shows including workshops and culinary art show and gathered more than 70 exhibitors among which food processing technologies dairy and food processing packaging frozen food refrigeration and thermo processing fruits and vegetables fisheries milk products meat and poultry bakery and confectionery equipment beverages food grains and hospitality consultants.

Nada Alameddine from Hodema moderated the “Women’s roundtable” a panel organized by Hospitality Services on July 2nd 2013 at Le Gray Hotel in Beirut Lebanon. The panel gathered leading women in the hospitality business among which Mrs. Dina Abboud (Partner/Senior Operation Director-Cat & Mouth catering) Mrs. Hala Achkar (Board Member-Monroe Hotel) Mrs. Maya Bekhazi (Owner-The Beirut Cellar) Mrs. Ghada Blanco (Owner-Wedding RS) Mrs. Rana El Khoury (General Manager-Le Gray Hotel Beirut) Mrs. Mireille Hayek (Owner-La Parilla Em Sherif and Yasmina restaurants) Mrs. Aline Kamakian (Owner-Mayrig and Batchig restaurants) Mrs. Lina Lteif (Owner and General Manager-La Mie Dorée) Mrs. Hala Massaad (General Manager-Raouche Arjaan by Rotana) Mrs. Lina Mroue (Owner-Lina Mroue Consultancy) Mrs. Corine Nader (Operations Director-Magnolia Bakery) and Mrs. Michelle Souhaid (Owner-Mandaloun Café). The purpose of this roundtable was to exchange experiences and opinions by tackling various topics and discussing the challenges facing women in the hospitality and tourism business.