European Hotel Managers Association’s 51st AGM in Warsaw Focuses on Innovative Leadership in the Hospitality Industry

Written By: Ricky Acharjee

Ricky Acharjee

I am travel writer at Travel And Tour World with 3 years of experience covering global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination news. Dedicated to accurate reporting and compelling storytelling, Ricky explores the trends, innovations, and developments shaping the international travel industry while delivering engaging insights for travellers and industry professionals.

See Full Bio

April 3, 2025 17:44 GMT+5:30

Image generated with Ai

The European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) convened its 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Warsaw, Poland, from March 28 to 30, 2025. The event brought together senior hospitality leaders and general managers from Europe’s top luxury and premium hotels. Titled “Hospitality by Design,” the gathering focused on the transformative role of innovation, sustainability, design, and leadership in shaping the future of hospitality across Europe.

Leadership Confirmed for 2025–2027 Term

During the General Assembly, EHMA members re-elected Panos Almyrantis to serve as President for the 2025–2027 term. Pawel Lewtak was appointed as 1st Vice President, and Stephan Stokkermans was named Vice President. Wilhelm Luxem was re-elected as Chair of the Board of Auditors, with Silvestro De Bolfo serving as First Auditor and Verena Radlgruber-Forstinger as Second Auditor. The Board of Arbiters also welcomed Cinzia Montelli as Chair and Erik-Jan Ginjaar as First Arbiter.

“I am honoured to be re-elected by our members. I remain committed to fostering a collaborative, values-driven community. The past three years have been exceptionally successful, firmly establishing EHMA as the most influential and forward-thinking network for hotel executives across Europe,” said Panos Almyrantis, Chief Growth & Commercial Officer at Ella Resorts and 2014 European Hotel Manager of the Year.

Celebrating Excellence in Hospitality with Prestigious Awards

At the recent Annual General Meeting, four distinguished awards were presented, recognizing outstanding achievements in the hospitality industry:

• European Hotel Manager of the Year 2025: Ivica Max Krizmanić, General Manager of Esplanade Zagreb Hotel (Croatia) – Honored for his visionary leadership and innovative contributions over three decades, marking the hotel’s centennial celebration.

• EHMA Sustainability Award by Diversey 2025: Diego Roggero, General Manager, Portrait Milano (Italy) – Recognized for his comprehensive and long-term commitment to environmental sustainability within a historic hotel setting.

• EHMA Hans Koch Lifetime Achievement Award 2025: Johanna Fragano, former Managing Director of Hotel Quirinale, Rome (Italy) – Celebrated for a lifetime devoted to advancing excellence in hospitality.

• EHMA Best Practices Award 2024: Robert-Jan Woltering, Managing Director of Hotel De L’Europe Amsterdam (Netherlands) – Awarded for his initiative, “Why the Ultimate Hotel Guest Experience Matters,” focusing on ethical leadership and responsible community engagement.

Event Highlights and Announcement of Future AGM Host City

The 51st Ordinary General Meeting (AGM) kicked off on Friday, 28 March, at the renowned Ludwikowska Ballroom in the historic Polonia Palace Hotel, with President Almyrantis presiding over the opening session. The evening featured the screening of “EHMA – Shining Stars,” a film by Gianni Buonsante of Ingenia Direct, which showcased the remarkable achievements of EHMA members throughout 2024. During the meeting, London was confirmed as the official host city for the 52nd AGM in 2026, while Helsinki was introduced as a potential candidate for the 2027 event. The AGM adopted a fresh, design-focused format aimed at enhancing the exchange of information between members and partners, incorporating cloud-based solutions and NFC technology for a more sustainable approach. The evening concluded with a Cocktail Reception at the Polonia Palace Hotel.

“We are proud that Warsaw became the capital of European hospitality. Its unique combination of historic charm and modern energy made it the perfect host for this year’s AGM,” said Pawel Lewtak, EHMA 1st Vice President, General Manager of Polonia Palace Hotel, and co-CEO of Syrena Hotels. “The city reflects creativity and resilience, much like our industry.”

Strategic Collaborations and Membership Expansion

Brenda Collin, Executive Vice President of Europe at Preferred Travel Group, highlighted the advantages of EHMA’s new strategic partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts. This collaboration aims to boost member engagement, enhance brand visibility, and strengthen overall positioning.

EHMA also proudly introduced 12 new members, further expanding its European network: Pavlos Badouvakis (Greece), Vittorio Di Carlo (Italy), Francisco Garcia (Spain), Jil-Marie Harml (Austria), Lee Kelly (Ireland), Panagiotis Markou (Greece), Eric Paulus (Belgium), Piero Pastore (Italy), Klara Šoštarić (Croatia), Konstantinos Stroutzos (Greece), Yannis Vamvoukakis (Greece), and Daniele Vastolo (Italy). This brings the association’s membership to 476 professionals across Europe.

Educational Day: “Hospitality by Design”

On Saturday, 29 March, at the Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel, the Educational Conference hosted an array of thought-provoking speakers and expert panels discussing key trends in the industry:

• Leadership & Strategy: Pawel Motyl addressed how to navigate complexity in high-stakes decision-making.
• Technology & AI: Prof. Andrzej Wodecki and Paola Gariglio discussed the role of artificial intelligence in hotel management.
• Sustainability: Manuel Engelsthal, Christoph Steindorf, Alexa Poortier, Onno Poortier, and Andres Fellenberg Van der Molen shared insights on decarbonisation, implementing ESG strategies, and aligning with EU regulations on sustainability and corporate responsibility.
• People & Culture: Nick Driessen and Paola Vulterini focused on inclusive leadership and creating accessible guest experiences.
• Hospitality Keynote: Prof. Dr. Ian Yeoman offered forward-thinking perspectives on food tourism and experiential innovation.
• Design & Experience: Joanna Jurga explored the emotional and functional impact of neuroarchitecture.
• Design Keynote: Adam D. Tihany, world-renowned designer, discussed the importance of design in creating value and delivering exceptional experiences.
• Closing Remarks: Clare Shine emphasized the collective responsibility of the industry in driving sustainable change.
• Sports Keynote: Szymon Marciniak, FIFA and UEFA international referee, shared valuable lessons on team leadership and managing performance under pressure.

Cultural Program and Networking Events

Guests enjoyed a curated Royal & Cultural Programme, delving into Warsaw’s rich history, culinary traditions, and design legacy. The event culminated in a prestigious Awards Gala Dinner at the Sheraton Grand Warsaw. On Sunday, 30 March, the Farewell Brunch at the Polonia Palace Hotel provided a final opportunity to network and reflect on the event’s success.

“For one weekend, Warsaw became the capital of European hospitality – bringing together visionary leaders, pioneering ideas, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of luxury and premium hotel management.”

Acknowledgements and Partners

EHMA expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Organising Committee and our esteemed partners, whose unwavering support played a pivotal role in ensuring the event’s success:

Acqua di Parma, Amadeus, APS, Axpro Concept, Blastness, Canary Technologies, Casale del Giglio, Nolan Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, De Cecco, Diversey – A Solenis Company, EHL Hospitality Business School, France24, Frette, Gascón, Getpica, Hästens, Heineken, Hotel Management International, Ingenia Direct, Journal des Palaces, Kuohu Artesian Water, La Bottega, Laurent-Perrier, Lavazza, Markas, Maurel, MobieTrain, NOW Transforming Hospitality, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, RESILIRĒ Psychological Growth, Rivolta Carmignani, Samsung, Scent Company, Villeroy & Boch.