The HOTREMAI Experium Knowledge Summit 2026, organised in collaboration with the Association of Hospitality Professionals (AHP), successfully concluded at The Suryaa, New Delhi, bringing together some of India’s most respected hospitality leaders, hotel professionals, chefs, educators, technology providers and industry experts. The event culminated with the prestigious 9th AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating exceptional achievements across India’s hospitality ecosystem.
Serving as a premier platform for knowledge sharing, networking and industry recognition, the summit highlighted the latest trends, technological advancements and leadership strategies shaping the future of hospitality in India.
A Landmark Gathering for India’s Hospitality Industry
The day-long summit witnessed participation from over 300 delegates, representing more than 110 hotel brands, hospitality organisations, educational institutions, equipment manufacturers and solution providers. More than 40 renowned speakers, moderators and industry experts shared valuable insights, making the event one of India’s leading hospitality knowledge platforms.
The summit encouraged meaningful discussions on innovation, sustainability, operational excellence and the growing role of technology in transforming the hospitality landscape.
FMCG Innovation Driving Hospitality Growth
The opening panel discussion, titled “FMCG Supplies in Hospitality: Driving Innovation, Quality & Sustainable Growth,” explored how strategic procurement and stronger supplier partnerships are becoming essential for improving operational efficiency and delivering superior guest experiences.
Industry experts discussed the importance of product innovation, sustainable sourcing and collaborative business relationships in creating long-term value for hotels and restaurants. The session featured moderator Prerna Sachdeva, alongside Amiya Shankar, P. A. Prabhu, Abhishek Saxena and Chef Bharat Alagh.
Beverage Innovation Creating New Business Opportunities
The second panel, “Beverage Innovation: The Next Growth Driver for HoReCa,” focused on how evolving consumer preferences are reshaping the food and beverage sector.
Experts highlighted the growing demand for premium beverages, sustainability-focused offerings and personalised guest experiences. These emerging trends are opening fresh revenue opportunities for hotels, restaurants and hospitality brands across the country.
The discussion included moderator Rajat Agarwal with Vikram Khurana, Ajay Kakkar, Saumitra Chaturvedi, Nisheeth Srivastava, Nitin Raj and Keshav Mehta.
Sustainable Hotel Design Taking Centre Stage
Modern hotel infrastructure was the focus of the third panel, “Modern Hotel Design & Sustainability: Front of House & Back of House.”
The conversation revolved around energy-efficient buildings, environmentally responsible architecture, sustainable materials and operational optimisation. Speakers emphasised that sustainability is no longer an optional initiative but a core business strategy for future-ready hospitality establishments.
The expert panel featured moderator Alok Dubey alongside Dr. Madhu Chandok, Barun Gupta, Sidharth Teckchandani, Satender Jangra, Imran Khan, Harkaran Sethi and Rajat Jaitly.
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Shaping Hospitality’s Future
One of the summit’s most anticipated sessions, “Robotics in Hospitality: The Past • The Present • The Future,” explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics and automation are transforming hotel operations.
Industry leaders discussed how emerging technologies are improving efficiency, streamlining workflows and enhancing guest experiences. At the same time, they agreed that technology should complement—not replace—the human touch that defines exceptional hospitality.
The panel featured moderator Rajesh Chopra along with Vikramjit Singh, Sangya Gupta and Matthew White.
Key Takeaways from the HOTREMAI Experium Knowledge Summit 2026
Across all four panel discussions, several important themes emerged that are expected to shape the future of India’s hospitality sector.
The discussions emphasised:
- Greater collaboration between hospitality businesses and solution providers.
- Wider adoption of Artificial Intelligence and smart technologies.
- Increased focus on sustainable infrastructure and responsible operations.
- Innovation-led procurement strategies.
- Evolving food and beverage experiences.
- Continuous learning, skill development and professional knowledge sharing.
These priorities reflect an industry that is rapidly adapting to changing guest expectations while preparing for long-term sustainable growth.
9th AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2026 Celebrate Industry Leaders
The evening concluded with the 9th AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2026, recognising excellence across hotels, restaurants, hospitality education and individual leadership.
Awards were presented under four major categories:
- AHP Hotel Awards 2026
- AHP Food Awards 2026
- AHP Hospitality Achievers Awards 2026
- AHP Education Awards 2026
The ceremony honoured organisations and professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and service excellence across the hospitality industry.
Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Honours
One of the evening’s biggest highlights was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Param Kannampilly, Founder of Concept Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., in recognition of his remarkable contribution to India’s hospitality sector.
The prestigious Hall of Fame honours were conferred upon:
- Parmeet Singh Nayar
- Farhat Jamal
- Veer Vijay Singh
- Chef Manjeet Singh Gill
- Rohit Khosla
- Sunil Ghadiok
The Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry awards recognised Amaan Kidwai, Balwinder Sehrawat, Saumitra Chaturvedi and Nikhil Sharma for their significant impact on the sector.
Top Winners at the AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2026
Several leading hospitality brands were recognised for their outstanding performance across different categories.
Among the prominent hotel award winners were:
- Roseate House Aerocity – 5-Star Deluxe Hotel
- Crowne Plaza New Delhi Today Okhla – 5-Star Hotel
- ibis New Delhi Aerocity – Budget Hotel
- Mastiff Select Mandavya – Resort
- Holiday Inn Gurgaon NH8 – Green Initiative
- The Grand Vasant Kunj – Wedding Destination
The food and beverage awards recognised excellence in dining experiences, with honours going to:
- Sevilla – IHCL Claridges (Fine Dining)
- DEL – Roseate House (Multi-Cuisine Restaurant)
- The Flying Trunk – Novotel New Delhi City Centre (Bar)
- The Great Kebab Factory – Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport (Casual Dining)
- Punnu Biryani – Four Decades of Excellence (Indian Cuisine)
- French Crust – The Suryaa (Bakery & Confectionery)
Recognising Hospitality Professionals and Educational Excellence
The AHP Hospitality Achievers Awards celebrated outstanding professionals across various operational departments.
Award recipients included:
- Namit Vijh – General Manager
- Navkshitj Makin – Front Office
- Umesh Kumar – Housekeeping
- Jatin Puri – Food & Beverage
- Chef Vikramjit Singh Ahluwalia – Culinary
- Amit Kumar Sharma – Procurement
- Simran Singh – Learning & Development
- Nisha Sachin – Human Resources
The AHP Education Awards also recognised excellence in hospitality education by honouring:
- IHM Lucknow – Institute of the Year
- Chef Prof. Dr. M. Devendra – Mentor of the Year
- Harsh Sirohi (Indian Hotel Academy) – Student of the Year
Industry Leaders Share Their Vision
Speaking at the event, Devipshita Gautam, Founder and Chairperson of the Association of Hospitality Professionals (AHP), highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving the industry’s future.
She noted that discussions around sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, procurement and beverage innovation demonstrated how the hospitality sector is confidently embracing change while encouraging innovation and leadership.
Mohit Sharma, General Secretary of HOTREMAI, emphasised that stronger partnerships between hospitality professionals, technology providers, equipment manufacturers and solution partners are essential for the industry’s continued growth.
He added that the Experium Knowledge Summit and Hospitality Excellence Awards provide an ideal platform for discussing key industry priorities while recognising organisations that are setting new benchmarks for excellence.
Conclusion
The HOTREMAI Experium Knowledge Summit 2026 and the 9th AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2026 successfully reinforced India’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, collaboration and leadership within the hospitality sector.
By bringing together hospitality leaders, educators, technology innovators and solution providers under one roof, the event not only celebrated excellence but also identified the key trends and opportunities that will shape the future of India’s hospitality industry.
As the sector continues to evolve, initiatives like the HOTREMAI Experium Knowledge Summit will play a vital role in fostering knowledge exchange, encouraging innovation and building a stronger, more resilient hospitality ecosystem for the years ahead.
