The 11th edition of the Hospitality Conclave, held at The Oberoi New Delhi, concluded on a high note, bringing together distinguished leaders and industry experts for a powerful exchange of ideas, insights, and inspiration. Marking over a decade of thought leadership, the conclave reinforced its position as a premier platform for dialogue across hospitality, business, and global affairs.
Building on eleven successful years, the conclave featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to address the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry.
The Global Hospitality Conclave, steered by the alumni of the erstwhile Oberoi School of Hotel Management (OSHM), now The Oberoi Centre for Learning & Development (OCLD), was started to share and gain knowledge and provide an enviable opportunity to network with the best in business. GHC, over the years, has grown in representation and credibility into a powerful forum for Oberoi Hotel alumni to celebrate their journey of learning and excellence. It seeks to bring together professionals from different areas of the service and hospitality industry, encouraging interactions and debates.
This year, the Global Hospitality Conclave brought together a distinguished gathering of senior leadership of The Oberoi Group, OSHM / OCLD alumni and those who currently hold or have previously held executive roles at The Oberoi Group to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future.
Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group, said: “The Global Hospitality Conclave is not only a tribute to the vision and values of our founder, Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, but also a reflection of the enduring relationships that we have built over the years with the GHC community. As we mark the 11th edition, it is truly heartening to reconnect with colleagues, friends, and industry leaders who share a common commitment to excellence, integrity, and service. The warmth, camaraderie, and exchange of ideas at the Conclave continue to strengthen the foundations of our industry, while honouring the legacy on which it was built.”
Vikram Oberoi, CEO, The Oberoi Group, said: “The Global Hospitality Conclave brings together a close-knit community bound by shared values and mutual respect. Rooted in the legacy established by our founder, Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, the Conclave is as much about meaningful conversations as it is about enduring friendships. As we gather for its 11th edition, it is an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to excellence and the spirit of service, while continuing to nurture the relationships that make this industry so special.”
Sudhir Gupta, GHC Chair and Executive Chairman, TLC Digitech, said, “Over the past decade, GHC —an initiative led by the alumni of The Oberoi Group —has evolved into a respected platform for thought leadership. The conclave creates value for all stakeholders. For alumni, it reinforces their deep-rooted commitment to their alma mater’s core values of excellence and integrity, while celebrating a legacy that continues to inspire and shape the future of global luxury hospitality. For The Oberoi Group, these informal, multi-generational forums provide an opportunity to reconnect with former associates, expand influence, and foster goodwill. And, importantly, they offer a chance to revisit and cherish shared experiences.”
The centre piece at the Conclave was the Rai Bahadur M.S. Oberoi Memorial Lecture, delivered by Lalit Bhasin, President Society of Indian Law Firms, Managing Partner Bhasin & Co. and Immediate past President, The Bar Association of India. His deep and enduring association with The Oberoi Group lent a unique perspective as he reflected on the life and legacy of Rai Bahadur M.S. Oberoi—his pioneering spirit, values-driven leadership, and his transformative impact on Indian hospitality.
The Conclave also comprised stimulating and interesting discussions on current geopolitics and the impact of the war in Iran, by a distinguished panel comprising Rudra Chaudhuri, Vice President, Observer Research Foundation, Akshay Mathur, Senior Director, Asia Society Policy Institute, India, and Dr Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow at the Centre of Social and Economic Progress. The session was moderated by Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, former Navy Commander-in-Chief and commentator on military and strategic affairs.
Founder & CEO, The Convergence Foundation, Founder and Chairperson – Ashoka University, Ashish Dhawan’s thought-provoking keynote address was followed by a fireside chat with Gaurav Bhushan – Group CEO, Ennismore and CEO Lifestyle and Leisure Brands, Accor. Chairman of Accor-Interglobe India Hospitality Venture, in conversation with Ajay Bakaya, Chairman Sarovar Hotels, Director – Louvre Hotels India.
A lively session with the Oberoi Alumni titled The Wider Spectrum featured Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International, Devendra Bharma, CEO Jio World Centre, Ribhu Chatterjee, Cluster GM, Swiss-Belhotel, Australia, Amitabh Rai, Chief Operating Officer-Luxury, Accor South Asia. It was moderated by Mohit Nirula, Chief Operating Officer, The Oberoi Group.
Sister BK Shivani, Spiritual Teacher, Brahma Kumari Spiritual Organization, introduced by Naveen Jain, GHC Organizing Committee, held the audience spellbound with her discourse on Where Attention Goes, Energy Flows and Excellence Follows.
The action-packed conclave came to an end with a fireside chat between Sandeep Walia, Oberoi Alum and Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Africa, Luxury – Europe, Middle East and Africa, Global Leader – Design Hotels – Marriott International and Rattan Keswani, Author, Industry Expert and Consultant.
Organized annually, the objective of the Global Hospitality Conclave is to get the Oberoi Hotels alumni together who are presently employed in different sectors across the world such as banking, aviation, travel, education etc, and go beyond the customary batch reunions by creating a compelling platform of knowledge exchange, experiences and networking opportunities.
