SPEAKERS
Keynote speakers and panellists from hotels, tourism brands, restaurants, investment and hospitality tech — announced on a rolling basis through 2026.
FROM THE CONVENER
Raphael Ekpenyong is a hospitality professional, guest experience strategist and leadership advocate with more than 14 years of experience in hotel operations, guest relations and service excellence.
His Nigerian career and exposure to international operations inform his work in service delivery, team development and customer experience. He believes genuine hospitality grows through people, professionalism and emotional intelligence.
As Convener, he is building a platform that connects operators, investors, policy makers, educators and emerging professionals around Akwa Ibom’s tourism future.
Raphael Ekpenyong
Convener · Ibom Hospitality Summit
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Business Development and Marketing
University of Calabar
Tourism strategy, destination image, service marketing and business model innovation.
Chairman of Board, Everyday Food Group
Regional Head, Keystone Bank Limited
Topic: The Art and Business of Creating Unforgettable Experiences
Hotel General Manager
Chair, Marriott Next Gen Business Council, Western Africa
Hospitality professional focused on guest experience and people development. She manages hotel operations and supports young hospitality professionals as they grow in their careers.
Topic: The Experience Advantage: Driving Hospitality Success through Exceptional Guest Experiences.
Delivery Advisor to the Governor on Tourism
Managing Director, Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort
Sir Charles Udoh serves as Delivery Advisor to the Governor on Tourism and Managing Director of Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort.
THREE PANEL CONVERSATIONS
HUMAN CAPITAL PANEL
Closing the Skilled Labour Gap
Panel moderator
Senior Accountant, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital
CIPM professional
CIPM professional, leadership advocate and customer-experience professional.
Panellist
CEO, Remedial Concerns Enterprise
Director, Human Resources, Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort
CEO, Remedial Concerns Enterprise · Director, Human Resources, Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort
Panellist
General Manager, Ceedapeg Hotels
HR practitioner
HR practitioner with more than 20 years across hospitality and oil and gas.
Panellist
Lead Consultant, Footprint Hospitality
COO, Ibom Tourism NG
MITP, MTCH, CHGM, CRDE, MIHI, CTex.
Top 100 Most Powerful People in African Hospitality, 2022. Creative Director, Cocktail and Grill Fest. Former Country Manager, International Hospitality Institute.
TECHNOLOGY PANEL
Enhancing Guest Experience and Operational Efficiency through Technology
Panellist
ICT Hospitality Project Consultant
Former Group IT Manager, Monty Suites
Richard Nnadi is an ICT Hospitality Project Consultant. He is a former Group IT Manager of Monty Suites, Director of Operations at NORTECHNG and General Manager of Charleson Luxury Hotels.
Panellist
Managing Director and CEO
Alpha-meg Engineering Ltd
Ayodeji Olotu is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha-meg Engineering Ltd.
CULINARY PANEL
Standardizing Indigenous Recipes for Global Franchising
Panellist
Founder, Uyai College of Creative Arts and Uyai Cuisine
Hospitality Entrepreneur of the Year, 2021
Entrepreneur, filmmaker and chef with more than 20 years in the creative industries.
Panellist
Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria
Director, IDYJAY Kitchen Culinary School
Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria · Director, IDYJAY Kitchen Culinary School
Panellist
Actor, writer and movie producer
Founder, Orange Film Boot Camp
Founder of Orange Film Boot Camp, U40 Evepreneurs and Conscience Alive Foundation.
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Mrs. Idara Emmanuel
Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria · Director, IDYJAY Kitchen Culinary School
Morgan Morgan
Manager, The Ridge Hotel and Bar · Food Scientist and Content Creator
Ubong Udoh
Garden Consultant, Agro-Tourism Resort
Ochai Emmanuel
Golf Professional, Ibom Golf Resort
Dr. Gabriel Eyo
Medical Doctor and Public Health Practitioner · Assistant Secretary General, NMA Akwa Ibom State · CEO, The Plug in Uyo Global Enterprises
Victor Okon
Professional Photographer · Hospitality Content Creator · Digital Marketer
Comfort Ufot
Creative Lead, CeesEvents · Project Manager and Event Designer
Emmanuel Udofia Akpan
Food and Beverage Experts Team Lead · Champion, Internal Processes and Control Systems
Awolowo, Veralyn Williams
Secretary, Ibom Hospitality Summit
Mfon Akpan
IT Specialist, Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort · Founder and CEO, Ikheper Smart Hospitality Technology Software
CALL FOR SPEAKERS & PANELLISTS
Have insight worth sharing with Nigeria’s hospitality leaders? Apply to keynote or join a panel at IHS 2026. Presentation format is PowerPoint.
Apply to SpeakWe review applications on a rolling basis and respond within two weeks.
IBOM HOSPITALITY SUMMIT 2026