PHUKET Hotels Association and hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks have confirmed the final line-up of speakers and moderators for this year’s edition of “Mind the Gap: Women & Diversity in Hospitality”.
Pranapda Phornprapha Chirathivat, founder of Dragonfly360, a regional platform designed to promote gender equality in Asia, will take centre stage at the event, with a talk on “The Power of Transforming Lives Through Simple Actions”.
Pranapda, who is also President of Siam Music Yamaha, is a pioneering figure in Thai business. Through Dragonly360, which she founded in 2019, she tells the stories of people who are at the forefront of social, economic, and cultural change, striving to break down the barriers that women encounter in work and business.
The line-up also includes Anchalika Kijkanakorn, Founder & Managing Director of AKARYN Hotel Group, Max Simpson, Founder & CEO of Steps, Christina Ho, an airline pilot and TEDx speaker, and Kirsten Fletcher, Australian Consul-General in Phuket.
Also revealing their insights will be Nikki Phinyapincha, Founder of TransTalents Consulting Group, Patteera Maneesri, Vice President of HR & Brand Culture at S Hotels & Resorts, Naureen Ahmed, Founder of Inspiring Women in Hospitality, Papungkron Numprasit, F&B Instructor & Supervisor at Dusit Thani College, David Boucher, CEO of Bumrungrad International Hospital Phuket, and Paul Hawco, Global Director of Integrated Wellbeing at Banyan Group.
Viona Zhang, Deputy Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, Sumi Soorian, Senior Advisor of Phuket Hotels Association, and Emma Gray, Vice President Marketing and Business Development at Delivering Asia Communications will moderate panel discussions.
“I am excited to join Mind the Gap, which focuses on a subject that is very close to my heart. Throughout my career in the music, fashion and automotive sectors, I have witnessed and experienced the challenges that so many women face. I look forward to meeting other like-minded people as we strive to empower women to shatter the glass ceiling and maximise their incredible potential,” said Pranapda.
Mind the Gap is co-organised by the Phuket Hotels Association and C9 Hotelworks, and hosted by SAii Laguna Phuket. The Australian Consulate-General Phuket, Dragonfly360, BH21 Pte Ltd., Vivaree, DKSH, and Vitalife are among the sponsors.
“Empowering women and embracing diversity isn’t just about making a difference in the industry – it’s about transforming it,” said Kirsten Fletcher, Australian Consul-General in Phuket. “When we lift each other up and champion inclusivity, we don’t just open doors; we build bridges to a brighter, more innovative future for everyone in hospitality.”
Staged at SAii Laguna Phuket’s Similan Ballroom on August 31, “Mind the Gap: Women & Diversity in Hospitality” is open to everybody – regardless of gender – working in the hospitality, tourism, restaurant, travel technology, wellness, human resources, and service sectors.
The organisers have waived any admission fees, to secure your seat register here…
The following day on Sunday, September 1, delegates will be invited to attend interactive wellness classes at the Banyan Spa & Wellbeing Academy.
