HLN 2026: Leading Through Change
Hotel Leaders Network 2026 brought together Dutch hotel leaders at the Beurs van Berlage around the theme of Leading Through Change. The central question was how leadership takes shape in an industry under constant pressure from staff shortages, technological acceleration and changing guest expectations.
Leadership educator Marija Nemec stressed the importance of self-awareness and exemplary behaviour as a basis for culture and change. In the panel discussion, hospitality leaders shared their experiences of people-centred management, efficiency and digitalisation in daily practice. Ray Klaassens emphasised character and responsibility precisely at times when things get choppy.
Besides reflection, there was a focus on innovation. During the Start-up Pitches powered by ABN AMRO three start-ups presented their solutions for hotel operations. Audience winner was Roamed with an AI-powered voice agent. The Future Hotel Leader Award went to Kimberly Apples, which approaches leadership as a conscious, daily choice.
HLN 2026 confirmed itself as a content networking platform for the sector. The core: successful change requires conscious leadership, a strong culture and technology that supports people, not leads.
Programme
Programme: Leading Through Change
13:00 - 13:30 | Reception
13:30 - 17:30 | Speakers include:
- Ray Klaassens
- Marija Nemec
- Panel discussion on leadership and change
- Presentations Top 3 Future Hotel Leader Award
- HLN Start-up Pitch powered by ABN AMRO
- The Hotelrede by Jochen Otten
17:30 - 21:30 | Walking Network Dinner followed by drinks
Speakers
Ray Klaassens
Ray Klaassens is known as chief instructor of the TV programme “Kamp van Koningsbrugge”. His confrontational yet gutsy style is reflected in his inspiring keynotes and inspiration sessions. He doesn't beat around the bush. He holds up a mirror to listeners and participants and then takes them into the world of leadership, commitment and ownership. His winged statements “you are what you do” and ‘character is what remains when no one is looking” do not come out of the blue.
Everyone senses and experiences that Ray speaks from his unique experience as a leader within the Special Forces and lives these themes himself as a human being. His provocative style keeps listeners on the edge of their seats and challenges participants to engage in honest conversation with themselves and each other.
Marija Nemec
Marija Nemec is a leadership educator and communications specialist at Les Roches Global Hospitality Education in Marbella. She leads the Leadership and Personal Development programme and coordinates the Leadership curriculum pathway, supporting both current and future hospitality leaders in developing mindset, self-awareness and communication skills for effective leadership in complex environments.
With an international background, Marija focuses on people-oriented leadership, combining emotional intelligence, coaching-oriented methods and practical communication tools. In this way, she helps leaders build trust, manage conflicts and lead diverse teams.
Marija is an internationally certified coach and trainer in PCM and NLP and regularly works with individuals and organisations on self-aware and emotionally intelligent leadership. She is also a founder, speaker at leadership and wellbeing events, contributor to Sommet Education Business Solutions, and host of the Les Roches Talks Podcast.
Panel discussion with Industry Leaders
The keynotes were followed by a panel discussion in which leaders from different parts of the hospitality sector shared their experiences around the theme of Leading Through Change. The conversation focused on how leaders deal with change within their organisations, what choices they make under pressure and what role people-centred leadership plays in transition, growth and continuity. At the table were:
ALESSIO COLAVECCHIO
Area General Manager, Hilton The Netherlands
FANNY VAN DEN DRIES
Regional director of operations The Netherlands, The Social Hub
MARNIX MALI
Global Director Real Estate & Workspace Services, Booking.com
MATHILDE VAN DER WEERD
Managing director, Highlight Hotel Group
STEPHAN STOKKERMANS
Managing Director, Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin
HLN Start-up Pitch
Powered by ABN Amro
The HLN Start-up Pitch offers innovative start-ups, aimed at the hotel industry, the opportunity to present themselves to the decision makers within the hotel industry.
Bundle IT for Business
Margot van de Riet
Bundle It for Business is a distinctive, service-oriented marketing application that
helps organisations make the local experience part of the overall guest experience. The app connects an organisation's local community with the digital world of their guests, by sharing genuine, personal experiences and recommendations in bundles appropriate to the brand to strengthen guest experience, brand and market value.
Roamed
Joost van Bommel
Roamed offers an AI-driven telephone assistant for hotels that automatically handles calls. From frequently asked questions and service requests to telephone bookings, Roamed is available 24/7, in any language, reducing staff pressure while increasing guest satisfaction.
Breakaway Software
Danny Paerl
Break Away Software develops digital operational software for small-scale operators, including boutique hotels, who want to improve their margins, create more flow in the organisation and enhance the guest experience.
Break Away Software interfaces with common PMS systems and focuses
solely on the operational layer. All core functionalities of the PMS are retained.
The pitches were judged by a jury consisting of two Captains of Industry and event partner ABN AMRO. After the jury assessment, the public also voted. The combined assessment ultimately determined who could call himself the winner of the HLN Start-up Pitch 2026: Roamed.
Martin Hendricks
Founder & CEO Black Label Hotels
Jennifer Immink
DGA WestCord Hotels
Stef Driessen
Sector Banker Hotels & Leisure ABN AMRO
Future Hotel Leader Award 2026
The Hotelrede
Jochen Otten
Jochen Otten is one of the brains behind the immensely popular sketch programme Sluipschutters. His popularity grew further as a participant in Expeditie Robinson 2023. But above all, he is known as a comedian at Toomler and performs his stand-up solos in theatres throughout the Netherlands.
How did it all begin? When Jochen Otten (1973) completed his studies in Dutch and cabaret at the Koningstheateracademie in Den Bosch, he wasted no time. He promptly won the personality award at Cameretten, the audience award at the Holland Casino stage award, and as if that weren't enough, he reached the finals of the Leiden cabaret festival.
He soon secured a position at the desk of programmes such as Spijkers met Koppen and Dit was Het Nieuws. There are those who make a less conspicuous debut.
Location
Beurs van Berlage
The Beurs van Berlage exudes history and character. In 1903 it was already a bustling trading place and today it is a 'one in a million' conference location in the warm heart of Amsterdam. High quality and service, an impressive atmosphere and excellent facilities are central. A bustling location that one will not soon forget!
Hotspot since 1903
The Beurs van Berlage has been an international hotspot with charm since 1903. A building of grandeur. But also 'the place to be' in the soul of Amsterdam where special things happen every day. World-class events, fairs, expositions and conferences.
Proud Partners
Hotel Leaders Network is made possible in part by the partners listed below. Would you like to become a partner of Hotel Leaders Network? Feel free to contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Main Partners
Partners
Network and media partners
