Think Hospitality takes the stage at FHS Dubai

Think Hospitality played a prominent role at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Dubai, with Partners James Hacon and Jennifer Pettinger contributing across investment, strategy and food-led hospitality discussions at one of the region’s most influential hospitality forums.

James Hacon, Founding Partner of Think Hospitality, opened his contribution with a presentation on the latest trends shaping restaurant investment, drawing on the firm’s global advisory work across hotels, mixed-use developments and lifestyle destinations. His session explored how capital is shifting away from short-term hype towards long-term, structural value drivers, including experience-led F&B, intentional living, technology as infrastructure and the growing role of food and beverage in asset performance.

Following his keynote, James moderated a panel titled “Finding the Sweet Spot Between Ownership Vision and Investor Value”, held on Centre Stage on Wednesday 29 October. The session focused on the practical tension between creative ambition and commercial discipline, a challenge increasingly faced by owners, operators and investors as hospitality assets become more complex and food-led.

The panel brought together senior leaders from across the region’s hospitality and lifestyle sectors, including Sanjay Nandi, Group CEO of ADMO Lifestyle Holding, and Tony Habre, Chief Executive Officer of Addmind. Discussion centred on aligning brand vision with investor expectations, structuring deals that support long-term value creation and ensuring that food and beverage concepts are built to scale without diluting their DNA.

Jennifer Pettinger, Partner at Think Hospitality and Founder of FHS, also took to the stage to moderate one of the event’s most anticipated conversations: “From Day to Dusk: How Beach Clubs Redefine F&B, Wellness & Exclusivity.” The panel examined how beach clubs have evolved from lifestyle amenities into powerful commercial and brand-building engines within hotels, resorts and mixed-use destinations.

Joining Jennifer were an influential line-up of global and regional leaders: Philippe Bassoul, Development Director for Hotels and F&B at Barrière Hotels & Resorts; Olivier Eynard, Chief Operating Officer at RIKAS Hospitality Group; Ryan Hattingh, Group CEO of Agon Capital; and Carolyn Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer of Nammos Hotels & Resorts.

The discussion explored how beach clubs can drive ADR uplift, create destination pull and extend brand equity into hotels, residences and wellness-led environments. Panellists also addressed the operational and cultural differences between festive, lifestyle-led beach clubs and more traditional hospitality models, highlighting why specialist operators are increasingly being brought in to maximise both experience and financial performance.

Together, James and Jennifer’s contributions reflected Think Hospitality’s role at the intersection of strategy, capital and food-led hospitality. Their presence at FHS reinforced the firm’s position as a trusted advisor to owners, developers and investors navigating an increasingly competitive and experience-driven global market.