President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
Chairman of Dubai Airports
Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group
Patron of the Conference
Conference Speakers
Held under the patronage of
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum
2024 Conference Speakers
H.E. Majid Al Usaimi
Member-Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People of Determination, Dubai Executive Council and President-Asian Paralympic Committee
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H.E. Majid Al Usaimi
Member-Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People of Determination, Dubai Executive Council and President-Asian Paralympic Committee
H.R.H. Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein
President, Higher council for the rights of persons with disabilities, Jordan
Born in Amman on 11 June 1965, His Royal Highness Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein earned his BA degree from Tufts University in 1987, and then his MA degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1995, with a specialization in International Relations/Strategic Studies. He continued his education at Cambridge University, England, where he received an M.Phil degree in Historical Studies in 1998. In addition, Prince Mired attended the British Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1990 and served for several years in the Jordanian Armed Forces, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Upon leaving the military, Prince Mired decided to continue serving his country by other means; dedicating his life to humanitarian and social causes. He has been the Chairman of the National Committee for Demining & Rehabilitation (NCDR) since 2004 and from November 2007 to November 2008, was the President of the 8th Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). He has also served as the ‘Special Envoy’ of the Convention since 2009 and has had the honor and privilege of travelling the world advocating for further accession by countries that have not yet acceded to the Convention, as well as calling for the implementation of the Convention’s articles by the States that have done so.
Prince Mired is also the President of the Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers (HCDS)…a position he has held since 2000. Over the course of the last two decades, the Commission has been able to provide a wide variety of different services, acting as a support network to all servicemen and servicewomen with disabilities in the Kingdom.
In addition, from 2008 through to 2013, Prince Mired served as the Vice-President of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, and then in 2014 was appointed by Royal Decree to serve as its President…succeeding his father, HRH Prince Raad Bin Zeid. In 2017, with the passing of new groundbreaking legislation calling for the rights of persons with disabilities, the Council was renamed as, the ‘Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ (HCD).
Prince Mired also served a short stint as President of Jordanian Paralympic Committee from 2017-2018.
On 28 February 2021, in addition to all his aforementioned responsibilities, Prince Mired was appointed by Royal Decree as Chief Chamberlain to His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein of Jordan.
Prince Mired is married to HRH Princess Dina Mired. They have three children, Shirin, Rakan and Jafar.
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His Royal Highness Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein
President, Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Jordan
Igor Stefanovic
Technical Coordinator, Ethics, Culture and Social Responsibility Department
UNWTO Specialist in Accessible Tourism, Spain
Igor Stefanovic is a Technical Coordinator of the Ethics, Culture and Social Responsibility Department at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the agency’s Specialist in Accessible Tourism. Igor joined UNWTO in 2008, after 7 years of experience in peacekeeping and human rights policies in the Western Balkans. He joined the UN mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1998, only at the age of 19. Igor holds a Ba Degree in Geography and Tourism, as well as Masters in Tourism Planning and Masters in Cultural Management. At UNWTO, Igor has coordinated the portfolio of cultural tourism, indigenous peoples, child protection and social sustainability, and has developed a series of projects on accessible tourism in collaboration with DPOs, civil society, social enterprises, tourism companies, as well as governments and tourism destinations. Since 2010, Igor has written with partners key awareness-raising and technical manuals, recommendations and guidelines, inclusive recovery tips during COVID-19, as well as compilations of good practices covering the entire accessible tourism value chain. As the Organization’s specialist in accessible tourism, Igor worked closely with standardization bodies, in the elaboration and multi-stakeholder promotion of international standards focusing on accessible tourism, notably ISO 21902:2021.
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Igor Stefanovic
Technical Coordinator, Ethics, Culture and Social Responsibility Department, UNWTO Specialist in Accessible Tourism, Spain
Jeff Strachan
Associate Vice President (AVP), Business Operations, Dubai College of Tourism, Dubai Economic and Tourism, UAE
In September 2015, Jeff Strachan, joined the Dubai College of Tourism, a unique initiative from Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism, designed as the conduit to bring the Dubai brand to life through a number of grass-roots human capital enablement initiatives including the online self-paced learning platforms Dubai Way and Dubai Expert and the campus based vocational curriculum including Tourism, Hospitality, Events and Culinary Arts. The platforms created by Dubai College of Tourism have now welcomed over 150,000 students, studying courses including sustainable tourism, inclusive service, autism and sensory awareness and the flagship Dubai Way course
Prior to joining DET, Jeff had a sixteen-year career with Marriott International, where he was Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Middle East and Africa, responsible for the portfolio hotels across all brands. From 2005, Jeff was integral in the significant expansion of the Marriott portfolio across Middle East and Africa.
In 2013 Jeff became the owner of Siem Reap, based boutique hotel, Maison557 taking the hotel to #1 on the trip advisor rankings and consistently ranked among the top ten in Asia. He was also a shareholder in Ayana Journeys, an ethical and responsible tour operator, based in Cambodia. Jeff has written a number of future looking whitepapers for Phocuswright and the oft-cited Future of Travel in the GCC report (2014), commissioned for Amadeus and was a founding board member of the HSMAI Middle East Chapter in 2009.
A Graduate of West of Scotland College, University of Liverpool and Open University (UK) with a Masters in Online and Distance Education, Jeff is tremendously enthusiastic and excited with the work and development of Dubai College of Tourism and the impact it will make within the Emirate.
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Jeff Strachan
Associate Vice President (AVP), Business Operations, Dubai College of Tourism, Dubai Economic and Tourism, UAE
Eng. Meera Al Ameri
Head of Research and Building Systems Section, Dubai Municipality, UAE
Eng. Meera Al Ameri is currently Section Manager of Research and Building Systems at the Building Permits Department in Dubai Municipality. She is also a member and rapporteur of the task force overseeing the regulation of the use of 3D printing technology in construction work in the Emirate of Dubai.
Meera graduated with a bachelor’s degree. In the architecture of the United Arab Emirates University in 2014, then she worked in UAEU as Head of Design and planning in the facility management department
After that, she joined MOFAIC as the head of design section.
She has also participated in many local and international conferences and events as an organizer and speaker related to Sustainability, Green Building, Accessibility, and Innovations.
Meera Al Ameri has developed the Research and Building System Section in Dubai Municipality by foreseeing the future of business in Dubai to support strategic decision-making. By investing in research and development, Meera Al Ameri invests in future technology and capabilities, and transforms them into new processes, products, and services such as 3D printing technologies. By managing and directing research and development (RD) programs to meet organizational needs and capitalize on potential new products.
Meera Al Ameri has played a vital role in Accessibility field, she is an active committee member in developing the accessibility chapter requirements in Dubai Building Code. She is a leader of Wosool Service team that aims to fully transform Dubai into a friendly city for people of determinations. She has participated in Accessibility Expo 2023 and multiple awareness workshops, seminars and conferences about Dubai Municipality accessibility initiatives.
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Eng. Meera Al Ameri
Head of Research and Building Systems Section, Dubai Municipality, UAE
Osama Alsafi
Director of Parking Department, Head of Team of the Friendly Organisation for People of Determination, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai, UAE
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Osama Alsafi
Director of Parking Department, Head of Team of the Friendly Organisation for People of Determination, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai, UAE
Mouza Saeed Rumaihi
Special Handling Manager, dnata, UAE
“I have been in the Aviation industry across different areas for 28 years now, and I currently manage the Special Handling department that looks after passengers with disabilities traveling through Dubai International Airports. In this department, I developed my passion for working and looking for ways to enhance the travel experience of our passengers who require assistance. A member of the IATA working group discussing the solutions and guidelines on mobility aids handling.”
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Mouza Saeed Rumaihi
Special Handling Manager, dnata, UAE
Eman Al Suwaidi
Head-Government Agenda, Government Affairs, Dubai Airports, UAE
A visionary leader with over 16 years of management experience at Dubai Airports. This visionary is renowned for building strategies and excellence platforms, backed by a Masters of Innovation and Change Management from HBM-Smart University and a Licensed Professional Management Consultant. With an unparalleled ability to navigate complex landscapes, spearheaded transformative initiatives, leaving an indelible legacy of success. Proudly, taken charge of government-directed master projects at Dubai Airports targeting to achieve world class accessibility role model and delivering superior services for people of determination.
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Eman Al Suwaidi
Head-Government Agenda, Government Affairs, Dubai Airports, UAE
Linda Ristagno
Assistant Director, External Affairs,
International Air Transport Association (IATA), Switzerland
Linda Ristagno is the Assistant Director of External Affairs for the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Linda is responsible for developing global advocacy positions and fostering multilateral dialogue across a range of topics, including accessibility for passengers with disabilities. In her role, she acts as the liaison with the tourism industry by engaging with international actors to promote the relevance of aviation as a force for good in tourism development. Linda holds an Executive master’s degree in advocacy, International Negotiation and Policymaking from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies of Geneva. In her final paper, she reviewed anti-trafficking policies and regulations and drafted recommendations on how the aviation sector could leverage its position to support governments and law enforcement stem the flow of the growing phenomenon of human trafficking. Her recommendations were taken on board by IATA and included in the strategic approach the industry subsequently adopted to prevent the heinous crime of trafficking in persons.
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Linda Ristagno
Assistant Director, External Affairs, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Switzerland
Salah Khaled
Director, UNESCO DOHA Office for
Gulf States & Yemen
Mr. Salah Khaled (Egypt) is appointed as the Director of UNESCO Doha Office for Gulf States and Yemen, and UNESCO Representave to Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, as of 1 May 2022. Mr Khaled’s career with the United Naons began in 1993, with the Operaonal Unit for Development Assistance (OUDA), a UNDP and Ministry of Foreign Affairs programme in Egypt, and subsequently at the UNICEF Office in Cairo from 1995 to 2001. He joined UNESCO in 2001 taking up several key posions in the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa, including some post-conflict and post-disaster countries. From 2001 to 2003, he was Chief of the Iraq Liaison and Procurement Unit based in Amman (Jordan) facilitang the Organizaon’s operaons in Iraq under the Oil for Food Programme. From 2003 to 2011, as Liaison and Administrave Officer in the UNESCO Iraq Office (Amman) where he contributed to the establishment of the extrabudgetary funded porolio for Iraq and also parcipated in several UN System-wide joint programming for the restructuring of the educaon system, protecon of cultural heritage, peace building and conflicts resoluon. In 2010, Mr Khaled provided backstopping in the Portau- Prince Office in the aermath of the devastang Earthquake, coordinating the response of the Organizaon in relief programmes. In 2011, he served as Officer-in-Charge for the UNESCO Office in Islamabad (Pakistan), and then from 2011 to 2012 he served first as Officer-in-Charge at the UNESCO Office in Juba and then in 2013 as Head of Office and UNESCO Representave to South Sudan. Mr Khaled has also served in North Africa region from 2016 to 2018 as Regional Director a.i. of the UNESCO Office in Rabat and UNESCO representave to Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria and Tunisia. Before joining the UNESCO Doha Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, Mr Khaled latest post was Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Central Africa based in Yaoundé (Cameroon) and UNESCO Representave to Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe. A graduate of the American University in Cairo with a BA in Polical Sciences and a MBA in Human Development from the Arab Academy in Alexandria, he speaks fluently English, French, Spanish in addion to his maternal Arabic. Mr Khaled is married and has a son and a daughter.
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Salah Khaled
Director, UNESCO Doha Office for Gulf States & Yemen
Jean-Sebastien Pard
Senior Manager Facilitation, Passenger Services and Operations,
Airports Council International (ACI World), Canada
Jean-Sébastien Pard holds the position of Senior Manager, Facilitation, Passenger Services and Operations at ACI World. In this role, he provides guidance and support to the airport community, represents airports interests with various stakeholders (regulators, airline operators and suppliers), and encourages industry collaboration to identify improvements in passenger processes and the overall seamless travel experience. As part of his responsibilities, Jean-Sébastien is the secretary of the ACI World Facilitation and Services Standing Committee (WFSSC). He is also leading the development of best practices, implementation strategies and initiatives in the areas of accessibility, passenger process improvement, and simplified passenger travel solutions. Jean-Sébastien joined ACI World in August 2016 and has over 20 years of aviation experience with Bombardier Aerospace, Air Transat, Air Canada, and Aéroports de Montréal. During his career, he was involved in several passenger facilitation and innovation projects, requests for proposals and agreements with multiple aviation industry partners. In 1999, he successfully completed a Master’s Degree in Business Science (M.Sc.) at HEC Montreal.
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Jean-Sebastien Pard
Senior Manager Facilitation, Passenger Services and Operations, Airports Council International (ACI World), Canada
Daniela Bas
President & Founder, DB SustainABILITY Advisory Boutique Int., Italy (former Director Division for Inclusive Social Development, United Nations Department of Economic & Social Affairs, USA)
Dr. Daniela Bas ( Ms) Global leading expert on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for social change. She founded Daniela Bas- SustainABILITY Advocacy Boutique International (SAB) providing advisory services on social development and sustainability to increase value of organizations and companies; global lecturer/and speaker; and brands’ ambassador.
She champions inclusion and diversity, equity and disability, inclusive tourism, sport for all for development and peace. Presently she also covers roles as Member Steering Committee Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sport (GSBS) ; Member North America Advisory Board – Everything in Sport/Women; Special Advisor of Football is More Foundation.
From 2011 until March 2023: leadership executive position at the United Nations on inclusive social development and sustainability. She also worked at the United Nations from 1986 to 1995 on social affairs matters.
Prior positions to 2011. As adviser for: one of the Vice Presidents of the European Commission; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy; Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Committee to Promote non-Armed and non-Violent Civil Defense in Italy; Board Member of the EU FRA; CEO in the private sector; certified as life coach and journalist working for major press, radio, and television networks.
Graduated in Political Scieces/ International Relations Magna Cum Laude she speaks: Italian, English, French, Spanish and basic German.
For more information: www.danielabas-sab.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-bas-093a5272/
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Daniela Bas
President & Founder, DB SustainABILITY Advisory Boutique Int., Italy
Francesco Tapinassi
Executive Director, Toscana Promozione Turistica, Italy
Francesco Tapinassi is director of Toscana Promozione Turistica and scientific director of BTO , Be Travel Onlife. Previously served as tourism manager for the Region of Tuscany, tourism policy manager at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, senior marketing strategist for Fondazione Sistema Toscana, director of the APT of Grosseto and social media manager for the GAL of Ogliastra. He is a speaker at conferences on tourism reviews and online reputation and a trainer in collaboration with several Italian Universities.
He is co-author with Nicola Zoppi of the Apogeo book ” Web Marketing of Reviews.
A survival guide to TripAdvisor & co. for hoteliers and restaurateurs” year 2017
And of “tourism and reput’action” by Franco Angeli, together with Robetta Milano .
https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescotapinassi/
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Francesco Tapinassi
Executive Director, Toscana Promozione Turistica, Italy
Evan Hall
CEO, Tourism Council of Western Australia, Australia
Mr. Evan Hall is an economist with extensive experience in Federal and State industry policy and advocacy. A recognised tourism industry leader, Evan joined Tourism Council WA in May 2011 as Chief Executive Officer. Mr Hall is also the current Chair of the Australian Tourism Industry Council, responsible for national tourism advocacy and industry development programs, including the Australian Tourism Awards. Tourism Council WA represents 2,000 tourism businesses in Western Australia, ranging from accommodation and aviation to tours, transport, attractions and experiences. Tourism Council WA delivers an online quality tourism program to assist tourism businesses across the State develop high-quality experiences and achieve world-class standards in sustainability and accessibility. Tourism Council WA is a pioneer in Australian accessible tourism and is commited to working with businesses to increase accessible tourism offerings in WA to ensure guests with accessibility requirements can make informed travel decisions. Tourism Council WA held its inaugural Accessible Tourism Forum in June, which aimed to improve the local tourism industry’s understanding of the market seeking accessible tourism product and how accessible experiences and ineraries can be developed by businesses and desnaons. Prior to working at Tourism Council WA, Mr Hall was the Naonal Policy Director at the Tourism & Transport Forum for five years. Mr Hall was previously an elected official with the Community & Public Sector Union, direcng federal advocacy and industrial campaigns on immigraon, customs and quaranne issues and in the commercial broadcasng and telecommunicaons sectors. Mr Hall received a Bachelor of Business at Sydney’s University of Technology before completing a Graduate Diploma of Economics at the University of Sydney. Mr Hall also studied a Master of Business Administration at Deakin University.
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Evan Hall
CEO, Tourism Council of Western Australia, Australia
Mark de Laurentiis
Director, Passenger Experience on the Autism Project, Enete Nazionale Per L’aviazone Civile (Italian Civil Aviation Authority), Italy
Mark De Laurentiis – Director of the ENAC Passenger Rights Protection Departmen since January 2022. He has been Head of Passenger Rights and Airport Quality Services Unit since June 2018. Previously he has been Director of the Air Transport and Environment Regulation Department and for more than ten years he has been involved in statistics, economic and charges regulation in air transport at the Economic Analysis and Airport Charges Department in ENAC.
He participated in various international forum (ICAO, ONU, ECAC, DG MOVE, IATA, Eurocontrol) and, acting as expert, he has joined two Twinnings, in Egypt and in Jordan, one TAIEX and has covered the role of coordinator of an ECAC Expert Group on PRM matters. He has been National Coordinator for the ECAC Quality Assessment Programme for Passengers with reduced mobility matters.
Graduated with honors in Economics of International Commerce and Currency Markets and has a postgraduate degree in Communication and Business Administration. Before joining the air transport sector he worked as consultant in management and marketing companies and in the banking sector.
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Mark de Laurentiis
Director, Passenger Experience on the Autism Project, Enete Nazionale Per L'aviazone Civile (Italian Civil Aviation Authority), Italy
Amna Al Redha
Manager, Aviation X Lab, UAE
Amna AlRedha is a member of the Emirates Group Future Technology and Innovations team, where she leads initiatives aimed at transforming the global air travel experience. She oversees the Aviation X Lab, a pioneering Experimental Lab focused on reshaping the future of aviation in collaboration with industry leaders. In addition to her corporate role, Amna actively engages with the start up community and plays a crucial role at Intelak Hub, connecting start-ups with corporate partners to drive innovation in the travel and tourism sector. Her career began at Boeing, where she gained valuable experience in international strategy and government affairs. Amna holds a degree from the American University in Sharjah and is currently pursuing further education in innovation and entrepreneurship at Harvard University. Her passion for innovation extends to her active involvement in the start up ecosystem, making her a dynamic contributor to the world of corporate innovation.
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Amna Al Redha
Manager, Aviation X Lab, UAE
Iman El Asady
Iman El Asady, Regional Manager External Affairs & Sustainability for Middle East & North Africa – International Air Transport Association (IATA), Cairo, Egypt
Iman has been working in the aviation industry for over 28 years, contributing to the changes and development of the aviation sector as it is today. She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the American University in Cairo, as well as several diplomas in aviation and beyond.
Over the course of her career, she has held several positions within the aviation industry, including Middle East & North Africa Regional Fraud Prevention Coordinator as well as Project Coordinator in which she led the implementation of electronic tickets in the region, which revolutionized the way people travel today.
Ensuring that air travel is safe, reliable, and dignified for all passengers is a major focus of her current role. She works to achieve this by promoting a collaborative approach between the government and the industry, that considers the needs of passengers with reduced mobility, while maintaining efficient and secure air transport.
She is passionate about promoting the social and economic benefits of aviation and advocating for the interests of the industry and its stakeholders. She has received several awards and recognitions for excellence and innovation both in aviation and beyond.
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Iman El Asady
Regional Manager External Affairs & Sustainability for Middle East & North Africa - International Air Transport Association (IATA), Cairo, Egypt
Xavier Mascarell
Accessibility Proposition Manager, Responsible Business, Sustainability, British Airways, United Kingdom
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Xavier Mascarell
Accessibility Proposition Manager, Responsible Business, Sustainability, British Airways, United Kingdom
Ronald Pettit
Director, Disability Inclusion & ADA Compliance,
Royal Caribbean Group, USA
Ron Pettit is Director, Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance for Royal Caribbean Group, an industry leader in providing innovative and accessible cruise vacations. He is responsible for accessible guest experience as well as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance for Royal Caribbean’s three global brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises. He also collaborates with our brands in developing global disability inclusion strategies in the marketplace and workplace including digital accessibility and supplier diversity. He leads a team of 32 people dedicated to this market. Almost ten years ago, and in collaboration with Autism on the Seas, he helped to create an industry leading Autism Friendly Program onboard Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships which address the many needs of individuals with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities His efforts have resulted in Royal Caribbean Group being named as one of the “2022 Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” for the seventh year in a row after scoring a top score on the Disability Equality Index (DEI). This is the fourth year they have scored 100%, and they are the only cruise company on the DEI. Prior to joining Royal Caribbean, he was at Northwest Airlines where he was responsible for improving the air travel experience for over 3.3 million annual customers with disabilities and ensuring compliance with the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).
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Ronald Pettit
Director, Disability Inclusion & ADA Compliance, Royal Caribbean Group, USA
Jens Lund
COO, No Limits Accessibility, Denmark
Jens has worked within the Danish disability movement since 1994. He holds bachelor degrees in both History and Law from the School of Law at the University of Aarhus in Denmark. As an adviser on human rights and disability, Jens has served as part of the official Danish delegation to several UN Commissions on Human Rights and several platforms both local and international on the drafting of The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Holding various roles during his tenor within the disability movement, Jens worked closely with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, World Bank, United Nations, UNDP, ILO, HI and government officials in Jordan and Mexico, among others to develop policies and programs that include persons with disabilities as equal stakeholders in development. As a member of the board of executives for the Musholm Holiday Centre (www.musholm.dk), a fully accessible holiday resort in Denmark, Jens was instrumental in the planning and design phases of the physical infrastructure. At present, Jens is the owner of No Limits Accessibility (nolimitsaccessibility.com) he is an advisor on disability rights, policy, planning and design and the use of mobility aides, focusing on the concept of independent living as a principle. Jens is an avid traveller and explorer, however using a wheelchair because of his muscular dystrophy, he has experienced not only the physical inaccessibility of various popular destinations, but also the mindsets and attitudes towards disability that serves as an even greater barrier to accessibility.
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Jens Lund
COO, No Limits Accessibility, Denmark
Hilal Kahraman
Passenger Experience Design Chief, Istanbul Airport, Turkey
Hilal Kahraman is the Experience Design and Segment Management Chief at Istanbul Airport. As a dedicated member of the Customer Experience team, her ultimate mission is to enhance the airport experience, making it smoother and more enjoyable for all guests, including passengers, employees, and stakeholders, infused with the warmth of Turkish hospitality culture. For the past 5 years, she has been passionately working towards enabling accessible and independent travel at the airport. Through her impactful contributions at Istanbul Airport, Hilal was honored with the 2021 CXPA Impact Awards in the “Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Outcomes Related to CX” category, showcasing her commitment to fostering an inclusive and exceptional guest experience.
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Hilal Kahraman
Passenger Experience Design Chief, Istanbul Airport, Turkey
Eric Lipp
Founder & Executive Director, Open Doors Organization, USA
Eric founded Open Doors Organization (ODO) in 2000 after personally experiencing the restrictions that people with disabilities face in everyday life due to a lack of awareness and knowledge by businesses. In the 23 years since, he has assisted countless companies, primarily in travel, tourism, and transportation, to better serve the disability community while also encouraging individuals with disabilities to travel. Among his most notable accomplishments are the four Market Studies on Travelers with Disabilities, most recently in 2020, which are viewed in the travel industry as the definitive source for statistics on travel by Americans with disabilities. Eric has worked on numerous government-funded research projects focused on accessible travel under the United States National Academy of Sciences including the Multimodal and Accessible Travel Standards Assessment, ACRP Report 210 “Innovative Solutions to Facilitate Accessibility for Airport Travelers with Disabilities”, and the Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative’s “User Needs Assessment”, which determined the general categories of disability recognized in travel-related research today. Eric is a recognized expert in universal design, the unique needs of people with all types of disabilities, and U.S. and international disability regulations. He sits on multiple advisory boards including those of Alaska Airlines, Amtrak, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, United Airlines, and the Transportation Security Administration’s Aviation Security Advisory Council, where he co-chairs the Passengers with Disabilities Working Group. He was also recently appointed to the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board under the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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Eric Lipp
Founder & Executive Director, Open Doors Organization, USA
Deneen Cooper
Owner, Cooper VIP Travel Agency, Accessible Travel Advisor, USA
Deneen Cooper is the Owner, Luxury Groups International Travel Concierge and Accessible Travel Advocate of Cooper VIP Travel Agency. The Agency was created in 2019 and is based in the Bronx, New York USA.
Before becoming “Differently-Abled”, Deneen had a 26 year career in the field of
Human Resources working for such companies as Viacom MTV Networks and Columbia University.
She is a 3x
breast cancer and 4x spinal fusion surgery Survivor who is currently living with lymphedema.
An Amazon Best Selling Author of the Delayed But Not Denied Collaborative Book Series was a long term dream realized.
Deneen is Single and is caretaker to her 90 year-old father and sister to her two brothers who reside in GA.
She is a graduate of the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
“I was given another chance to live this life on purpose and it is not a gift I take for granted”
The mantra of Cooper VIP Travel Agency is “to impact the lives of individuals through the world of travel and tourism one wheelchair 🦽 at a time by acknowledging strengths while overcoming limitations”.
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Deneen Cooper
Owner, Cooper VIP Travel Agency, Accessible Travel Advisor, USA
Mahmoud A. Mahmoud
Program Director – Early Intervention, Sanad Village, Dubai, UAE
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Mahmoud A. Mahmoud
Program Director - Early Intervention, Sanad Village, Dubai, UAE
Ramin Gilani
Founder and Chairman, Gilani Engineering, Australia and Gilani Mobility, UAE
Ramin (Ray) Gilani road safety expert and VSCCS certifier for the RTA Australian government assigned to assess modified vehicles and determine if they comply with Australian safety standards. Mr. Gilani Founded Gilani Engineering to design and develop special needs vehicles and provide engineering solutions for people of determination creating solutions for inclusion for everyone. Mr Gilani founded Gilani Mobility in UAE providing a complete one-stop shop for all mobility needs ranging from vehicle modifications to home modifications and a range of assistive technology.
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Ramin Gilani
Founder and Chairman, Gilani Engineering, Australia and Gilani Mobility, UAE
Hannes Bos
CEO-Founder, TravelGenius Pte Ltd; Global Advisor Billion Strong Organisation, UAE
With 20+ years’ experience in the travel industry, having worked with some of the top hospitality brands in 11 different countries, Hannes is a well-rounded global industry expert with a deep understanding of the market needs.
A B2B and B2C commercial strategist, and agile entrepreneur, Hannes is pioneering game-changing solutions for the travel industry. As a hospitality professional and a seasoned traveller, Hannes has always been wanting to simplify how people work in the industry, striving to improve competitiveness and quality, and how travellers can plan for their trip and make the best out of their stay.
A Dutch national of Korean descent, Hannes holds a Bachelor in Hotel Management from Christelijke Hogeschool Noord, Netherlands, a Master of Service Management from Karlstad University, Sweden, and a Master of Science in Management from Nyenrode Business University, Netherlands
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Hannes Bos
CEO-Founder, TravelGenius Pte Ltd; Global Advisor Billion Strong Organisation, UAE
Trinidad Dominguez Vila
Professor, University of Vigo, Spain
Degree in Business Administration and Management (2005) and Master in Tourism Management and Planning (2010) from the University of Vigo. PhD in Business Management and Management (2009) from the University of Vigo, obtaining the cum laude qualification, as well as the extraordinary PhD award with the title: “Tourism Marketing for People with Disabilities. The Accessible Tourism Product”.
Professor of the Department of Business Management and Marketing in the Faculty of Business Sciences and Tourism and Faculty of Computing Science, University of Vigo (Spain). Her research activity is focused on the area of tourism marketing for people with disabilities and elderly people, the relationship between both, and their relationship with the new technologies and events through the legacy.
She has published several scientific contributions in international prestige journals and books about tourism for people with disabilities focused on the economic profitability of accessible tourism, competing for the disability tourism market or the website accessibility in the tourism industry, the relationship of disability and aging and the relevance of the tourism in this process, between others topics.
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Trinidad Dominguez Vila
Professor, University of Vigo, Spain
Patrick Antaki
Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality Management Holdings, UAE
Patrick Antaki, a seasoned hospitality professional with over 3 decades of experience, has been an invaluable asset to Hospitality Management Holding (HMH). With an impressive background working with renowned brands like Le Meridien and Meeting Point Hotels, Antaki has consistently achieved remarkable results. He successfully transformed Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort into an award-winning establishment and led Al Maha Desert Resort to the top 12 ranking among the world’s best hotels for three consecutive years. Patrick’s expertise in revenue optimization, cost management, and team inspiration positions him well to contribute to HMH’s expansion plans and overall growth.
At HMH, Patrick assumes a significant role, overseeing the company’s portfolio and working closely with the Board of Directors and the Chairman to drive growth, establish effective corporate governance practices, and execute strategic initiatives. His appointment further strengthens HMH’s foundation and sets the stage for expansion into new regions in the coming years as part of the New Market Expansion Program. With Patrick’s leadership, HMH is poised to achieve its vision and deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining financial success.
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Patrick Antaki
Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality Management Holdings, UAE
Conor Halpin
Director of Business Development, PRMAssist, Ireland
Conor has over 7 years’ experience in PRM Assistance operations. Conor has worked directly with the passengers as a customer care agent at Dublin Airport, from this he moved into the position of Training Officer where his role progressed to become part of a team of two responsible for the training roughly 500 customer care agents within the PRM division for OCS who provided assisted services in Dublin, Belfast, and Cork airport. As part of this, he was, on several occasions, involved in operational analysis and data analytics to both improve the PRM experience and improve the level of training provided to the staff. Part of his role was to join a team of 6 who travelled to Perth Australia to set up the PRM operation in Perth international airport. Conor was responsible for the training of all staff during this time and assisted with the deployment of modern technology solutions. Over the last 3 years Conor has worked as director of Business development for PRM Assist an Aviation PRM technology company and has played a pivotal role in the development of new products to enhance PRM passenger services through the introduction of modern technology solutions. Conor has been instrumental in the development of customer/stakeholder relations and brings with him a substantial network of contacts from Regulators, Airlines, Airports, Service providers and Passenger advisory groups.
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Conor Halpin
Director of Business Development, PRMAssist, Ireland
Abin Roy Choudhury
VP – Sales and Operations, Deque System, India
Abin Roy Choudhury is a highly experienced professional and passionate startup enthusiast who has a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into successful ventures. With over 19 years of experience in various roles, he has emerged as a key player in driving the success of numerous startups, especially in the dynamic realm of SaaS product companies. Abin is based in Hyderabad, India, and is a dynamic leader with a laser focus on global sales and marketing, strategic management, and scaling SaaS startups.
Abin has had a successful career with a range of impactful roles. He currently serves as the Vice President of Global Sales and Operations at Deque Systems, where he leverages his expertise in business development, team leadership, product expansion, and operational excellence to drive growth and success. He believes in creating a collaborative work environment where the growth and success of his team members are given utmost priority.
Abin is a graduate of IIM Calcutta and holds certifications in the Chief Financial Officer Programme and a postgraduate diploma in marketing management from MIT School of Distance Education. He is a strategic visionary, adept negotiator, and detail-oriented leader who is firmly committed to driving growth, achieving operational excellence, and securing market leadership for innovative ventures. Abin’s LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/abinrc/) and contact details demonstrate his open-minded approach to collaboration and unwavering passion for contributing to the global success of startups
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Abin Roy Choudhury
VP - Sales and Operations, Deque System, India
Stefano Colleta
Amministratore Unico, Excellence International Consultancy, Italy
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Stefano Colleta
Amministratore Unico, Excellence International Consultancy, Italy
