Speakers

With over 14 years of experience in hotel investment and development, Genna Panagopoulos brings a deep and diverse background spanning finance, operations, brand strategy, and development sales. She began her career at Davidson Hotels & Resorts, where she contributed to the business development team, helping to expand the company’s portfolio through strategic management agreements.

Genna then joined IHG Hotels & Resorts, starting on the feasibility team where she underwrote managed and franchise deals across the Americas. Her strong performance led to a promotion to Development Manager, where she played a key role in growing IHG’s upscale and upper-upscale brands. She later transitioned to focus on the expansion of IHG’s luxury portfolio in the U.S. and Caribbean, driving growth for brands such as InterContinental, Regent, Kimpton, and Vignette.

Most recently, Genna moved into a commercial role within IHG, concentrating on Luxury and Lifestyle brand development, where she helped shape brand positioning and growth strategies. After a decade of impactful contributions at IHG, she joined Minor Hotels as Vice President of Development, where she now leads efforts to secure new hotel projects under Minor’s brands across North America.

Her career reflects a strong blend of analytical rigor, strategic vision, and relationship-driven development, making her a trusted leader in the hospitality industry.