Organised and hosted by the SHTM, the Fourth International Forum on China Hotel Brand Development was held at PolyU's teaching and research hotel, Hotel ICON, on 1 June 2011. Pioneered by the SHTM in 2007, the Forum was held in vibrant Hong Kong for the first time.

The Forum was founded in response to the fast expanding opportunities in the Chinese hospitality industry. As the only annual forum exclusively focusing on the development of hotel brands in the country, it has been successful in providing an interactive platform for industry practitioners and academics to share experience and exchange views. This year's forum took the theme "New Vision, New Market and Brand Innovation".

The Forum received its usual strong support from the K. Wah Group as the title sponsor. It was also supported by the China Tourist Hotels Association, the Hong Kong Hotels Association, the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners and the Institute of Hospitality.

Professor Timothy Tong, PolyU President, kicked off the Forum by noting that it provided a timely platform on which to review visions and strategies in the increasingly competitive market, as well as the trends and focus of both education and research in hotel brand development. Professor Kaye Chon, Dean of the SHTM, remarked that it was the first forum held in Hotel ICON, a Hong Kong brand with a unique education mission. Dr Che-woo Lui, Chairman of the K. Wah Group, was full of praise for PolyU and the SHTM because of their outstanding achievements. It was this extraordinary level of commitment in education that motivated him to pledge his support to the University and the School. Other distinguished guests at the Opening Session included Mr Jonas Ogren, Area Director-Asia of STR Global; Mr Xu Jingzhi, Vice Chairman of the China Tourist Hotels Association and Executive Director of the Hong Kong Macau Centre Ltd; and Ms Lily Ng, Executive Vice President of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

Prominent industry leaders and scholars attended various presentations and roundtable discussions covering a variety of topics including "Focusing on the New Competitive Market – Creating New Vision for 2011 and Beyond", "Brand Innovations – Integrating Different Perspectives and Different Approaches" and "Asianness in Hospitality Leadership – Face-to-Face with Industry Executives".

The SHTM considers hosting the International Forum on China Hotel Brand Development as one way of encouraging our industry partners, educators and researchers to collaborate closely in enhancing the international competitiveness of hotel brands in China.