NOIDA: ICMEI, in association with AAFT School of Hospitality & Tourism, successfully organized the prestigious Global Hospitality & Tourism Summit – ELEVATE-2026 at Marwah Studios, Film City Noida. The summit brought together leading chefs, hospitality professionals, academicians, and industry experts from India and abroad to discuss emerging trends, innovations, and opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector.
The event served as a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing, professional networking, and meaningful interaction between industry leaders and aspiring hospitality professionals. Distinguished speakers shared their valuable experiences and insights on the future of hospitality, culinary excellence, tourism development, and global industry standards.
Among the eminent personalities who graced the summit were Chef Ajay Sood, Chef Jai Kumar Bhasin, Chef Nishant Choubey, Vikas Gupta, Director, Radisson Blu, and Prof. Dr. Anand Kumar Bhasin. Their inspiring addresses highlighted the importance of innovation, service excellence, leadership, sustainability, and continuous learning in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape.
On the occasion, the distinguished guests were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the hospitality and tourism industry and for their commitment to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of professionals.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of AAFT School of Hospitality & Tourism and President of ICMEI, said, “Hospitality is one of the most dynamic industries in the world, driven by creativity, service, and human connection. Through ELEVATE-2026, we aim to create a bridge between academia and industry, enabling students to learn directly from accomplished professionals and prepare themselves for successful global careers. We are proud to recognize and honour those who have made remarkable contributions to the growth of hospitality and tourism.”
Dr. Marwah further emphasized the importance of industry-academia collaboration in nurturing skilled professionals capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing global marketplace.
The summit concluded on a highly positive note, reaffirming ICMEI and AAFT’s commitment to promoting excellence in hospitality education, fostering industry partnerships, and creating opportunities for students to engage with leading experts from around the world.
ELEVATE-2026 once again proved to be a landmark initiative, strengthening the dialogue between education and industry while celebrating excellence in hospitality and tourism.
