« back...Building a Strong Brand: Brand Identity in the Hospitality Sector

Discover why branding is now a key determinant of a hotel’s value...

SAN University, in collaboration with KC Hotels Consulting, invites you to a meeting of industry experts and academics. 

A strong brand is a vital source of competitive advantage in today’s market. Effective brand management enables organisations to stand out and build broad recognition. A well-defined brand identity fosters trust, enhances customer loyalty, and positively influences purchasing decisions. 

We invite you to an event dedicated to brand development, with a particular focus on the hospitality sector. 


 

Date: 

25 May 2026 r.

 

Time:

9:30 - 16:30

 

 

Location

 11 Łucka Street, Warsaw

 

Fee: 

0 zł - Free of charge

Why attend


 

Brand identity management today goes far beyond a recognisable logo or an attractive website. Join us to explore key aspects of brand management, with particular emphasis on the hospitality sector. By attending the event, you will: 

 

Gain a competitive advantage

Understand why a strong brand is often a key driver of business success in a competitive market.

 

Differentiate your property

Learn effective brand management mechanisms that help organisations stand out and build strong market recognition.

 

Increase revenue and guest loyalty

Discover how a well-developed brand identity builds trust, leading to stronger customer loyalty and more frequent purchasing decisions. 

 

Accelerate business growth

Explore how a strong, well-established brand facilitates the successful introduction of new products and services.

 

 

RESERVE YOUR FREE PLACE AT THE CONFERENCE

 

Speakers


 

dr hab. Anna Bąkiewicz, Prof. SAN
SAN University
dr hab. Anna Bąkiewicz, Prof. SAN

Her research interests include marketing, intercultural communication, and entrepreneurship in an international context. She is the author of over 100 scientific publications and has extensive teaching experience at universities across Europe and the Far East. 

She is currently an academic lecturer at SAN University in Warsaw. She is also a partner in a human resources consultancy firm. Additionally, she serves as a member and expert of the Polish Accreditation Committee, representing employers. 

Katarzyna Czarnocka
CEO, KC Hotels Consulting
Katarzyna Czarnocka

Expert in sales strategy, marketing, and brand development in the hospitality sector. For over a decade, she has been active in the accommodation services industry, where she was responsible for sales development, building commercial structures, and implementing marketing strategies for both independent and chain hotels. 

She specialises in building strong hotel brands from the ground up, optimising sales processes, and leveraging digital and social media channels as key revenue drivers. She combines strategic thinking with operational expertise, supporting owners and management boards in increasing profitability. 

Founder of KC Hotels Consulting, delivering advisory projects in branding, sales, and hotel rebranding. 

Mateusz Demczuk
General Manager, Hampton by Hilton Gdańsk Oliwa
Mateusz Demczuk

General Manager of Hampton by Hilton Gdańsk Oliwa, with over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. He has progressed from operational front office roles to senior management positions in hotel sales and operations. 

He gained extensive experience at Radisson Blu Hotel Gdańsk, where he developed expertise in guest service, revenue management, and sales, advancing into managerial roles over more than ten years. He later joined Unirest Group and Hilton Worldwide, holding senior positions in sales and operations before being appointed General Manager. 

He specialises in building sales strategies, developing high-performing teams, and optimising hotel operational performance. His work combines a strong business-oriented mindset with hands-on operational experience, focusing on efficiency, service quality, and long-term organisational development. 

dr hab. Maciej Dębski, Prof. SAN
Managing Director of the SAN University Branch in Warsaw
dr hab. Maciej Dębski, Prof. SAN

Doctor of Economic Sciences in Management. Specialist in marketing and tourism management. Author and co-author of numerous industry reports and books, including “Building a Strong Brand”“Tourism Policy”“Brand as a Source of Competitiveness in the Tourism Industry”“Tourism Satellite Account as a Framework for Assessing Sustainability”“Brand Management in Building Competitiveness of Family Businesses in the Accommodation Services Market”, and “Brand Loyalty and Consumer Behaviour. Generation Z in Central and Eastern Europe”, as well as dozens of publications in Poland and abroad. 

Currently employed at SAN University, serving as Managing Director of the Warsaw Branch and Head of the Department of Marketing and Tourism. Member of the Association for Tourism Research, Development and Promotion. Recipient of the international Leader of the Year 2025 award granted by CEEMAN. 

Marek Follendorf
Content Creator
Marek Follendorf

Specialises in the creation of video content and social media communication designed with a focus on sales performance rather than aesthetics alone. His work centres on building audience engagement and translating content into measurable business outcomes. 

dr hab. Hanna Górska-Warsewicz, prof. SGGW
dr hab. Hanna Górska-Warsewicz, prof. SGGW

Professor at the Institute of Management at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), and an expert in brand management, brand equity, and branding strategies in service sectors, including hospitality and tourism. She specialises in brand architecture, brand reputation and trust, brand experience development, and brand equity management in the context of the digital economy. 

Author of several academic monographs and over 300 scholarly and popular science publications devoted, among others, to branding strategies, brand reputation, brand heritage, and the creation of long-term value of product and service brands. Her research focuses on strategic brand management in sectors where customer experience, credibility, and the quality of relationships with stakeholders are of key importance, such as hospitality, tourism, and gastronomy. 

For over 15 years, she has carried out research and consultancy projects for public institutions and enterprises, focusing on the development of strong brands, reputation management, and the management of intangible assets.

Kacper Jarocki
Business Development Director & Team Lead w Profitroom
Kacper Jarocki

He has been with Profitroom for over 9 years, where he is responsible for sales development and supports hotels in building a strong direct booking channel.

He specializes in combining strategic consulting with sales—from needs analysis and solution selection to successful implementation.

He has worked with numerous hotels, helping them increase revenue and create scalable sales strategies.

Krzysztof Kamiński
Chief Operating Officer, KC Hotels Consulting
Krzysztof Kamiński

An operations manager with over 20 years of experience in team leadership, logistics, and process management. In the hospitality sector, he is responsible for implementing quality standards, optimising sales, and developing effective cooperation models with hotel properties. 

At KC Hotels Consulting, he oversees operational and marketing activities in properties such as Grand Laola Spa, Plaża Resort Łeba, Sea Collection, and Sandra Spa in Pogorzelica. His work focuses on enhancing the guest experience and building relationships that translate into measurable sales performance and the sustainable development of the properties. 

He has also gained extensive experience within the structures of the Ministry of the Interior, where for several years he was responsible for organising large-scale operations, crisis management, and staff development. 

Ryszard Konkolewski
Owner, Grand Laola Spa
Ryszard Konkolewski

Entrepreneur and co-owner of Grand Laola Spa, which he has been developing for over 20 years together with his wife, Mariola Konkolewska. He is responsible for the construction and strategic development of the property, which continues to strengthen its position as a recognised brand within the hospitality market. 

His professional focus lies in long-term development, the quality of the guest experience, and the creation of a loyal customer base. 

Previously associated with professional sport, he is a multiple-time representative of Poland and a medallist at world championships, which is reflected in his management approach based on consistency, discipline, and a strong results-oriented mindset. 

Krzysztof Kościukiewicz
Krzysztof Kościukiewicz

Investor, M&A advisor, and experienced entrepreneur with a portfolio comprising several companies in the IT, finance, and tourism sectors (including PromptEye, Venturepackt, E-allinclusive, Trustmate, and Agrotourism Wena or Lema). He specialises in mergers and acquisitions within the e-business sector, drawing on experience from four successful exits of his own ventures and numerous transactions completed as a Transaction Advisor. 

An active networker affiliated with the Western Chamber of Commerce, ITCorner, and BNI. Graduate of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology and the Wrocław University of Economics. 

mgr Sylwia Królak
MA SGGW
mgr Sylwia Królak

Doctoral candidate at the Doctoral School within the Institute of Economics and Finance at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), affiliated with the Department of Tourism, Social Communication and Advisory Services. Her research interests focus on the economics of tourism, the functioning and development of the hospitality sector, and the determinants of regional development. 

Her academic work addresses the analysis of economic and social factors influencing the development of the hospitality sector, with particular emphasis on the Mazowieckie Voivodeship. 

Katarzyna Krzeczkowska
Marketing and Sales Manager, Sandra Spa Pogorzelica / Zalewski Hotel Group
Katarzyna Krzeczkowska

Specialises in marketing and sales activities within the hospitality industry, being responsible for sales development and brand communication for Sandra Spa in Pogorzelica, operating within the Zalewski Hotel Group. 

Her professional focus lies in aligning marketing activities with sales performance, building brand recognition, and optimising both digital and offline channels. 

She also collaborates with other properties within the network, supporting the consistency of marketing and sales activities, as well as the development of the offer and enhancement of the guest experience. 

Kamil Maciąg
Director of Sales and Events, Suntago (Park of Poland)
Kamil Maciąg

An experienced manager in the hospitality and MICE sectors, specialising in sales and marketing strategies as well as the commercialisation of hospitality venues. He is currently responsible for the development of conference and events sales at Suntago – Park of Poland, integrating sales activities with the development of the venue’s offer and brand image. 

He was previously associated, among others, with the Arche Group, where he served as Director of the Central Sales and Marketing Department, as well as with DoubleTree by Hilton Warsaw and the In Between Hotel in Lublin. 

His work focuses on the development of integrated marketing and sales strategies, the growth of the MICE segment, and the enhancement of property value through offer design, communication, and guest experience.

Łukasz M. Mikosz
President of the European Association of Tourism Entrepreneurs (ESPT)
Łukasz M. Mikosz

Lawyer, entrepreneur, and academic lecturer specialising in business and tourism law. President of the European Association of Tourism Entrepreneurs (ESPT), which brings together representatives of the tourism sector, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

He has been associated with the tourism market for many years, combining legal practice with advisory and expert activities. His work focuses on the functioning of tourism enterprises, consumer protection, and market regulation. Author of industry publications and a recognised expert who regularly participates in academic and industry conferences. 

He is actively involved in dialogue between business and public administration, engaging in legislative processes relevant to the tourism sector. 

Izabela Olejniczak
Sales Director, KC Hotels Consulting
Izabela Olejniczak

A sales expert in the hospitality industry, specialising in the development of sales strategies and the management of distribution channels. She is responsible for the delivery of sales targets and the optimisation of commercial activities in properties cooperating with KC Hotels Consulting. 

She has extensive experience in revenue management, particularly in seaside properties. Her professional experience includes, among others, the Aurora Hotel, where she was responsible for sales performance and revenue management. 

Her work focuses on revenue maximisation and the effective utilisation of the sales potential of hospitality properties. 

dr hab. Michał Roman, prof. SGGW
SGGW Warsaw
dr hab. Michał Roman, prof. SGGW

Professor in the Department of Tourism, Social Communication and Advisory Services at the Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), specialising in the economics and organisation of tourism. 

Author and co-author of 10 books and over 210 academic articles and chapters, as well as editor of seven monographs. He has participated in academic placements across Europe and has presented at numerous national and international conferences. Recipient of five awards in the field of “Agroeconomics and Agritourism”. 

Klaudia Romanowicz
Member of the Management Board, Arche Group S.A.
Klaudia Romanowicz

Hospitality manager and member of the Management Board of Arche Group S.A., responsible for the strategic development of the hotel brand. She specialises in property management, building high-performing teams, and creating a coherent brand identity within a dynamically growing network. 

Between 2023 and 2025, as General Manager, she successfully managed Arche Pałac and Folwark Łochów, overseeing operational development, sales, and the overall image of the complex. Previously, she served as Sales and Marketing Director, co-developing the property’s commercialisation strategy. 

Finalist of the “Hotelier of the Year” competition (under 35 categories), recognised for her modern approach to hospitality and team development. Founder of the “Hotelarz na szpilkach” initiative, promoting authentic leadership and a contemporary approach to management in the hospitality sector.

Marcin Siepiera
Marketing Director, Grano Hotels
Marcin Siepiera

Has over 15 years of experience in designing and delivering effective marketing campaigns, seamlessly integrating online and offline activities. 

He specialises in the strategic planning of brand communication and the development of initiatives that translate into measurable sales performance and strengthen brand recognition in the highly competitive HoReCa sector. At Grano Hotels, he is responsible for the overall marketing and PR strategy of the hotel network, the development of its brands, and ensuring consistent communication across all channels. 

An experienced manager and expert in building teams from the ground up, he is responsible for recruitment, training, and the management of marketing departments, placing strong emphasis not only on the highest standards of project delivery but also on the continuous development of competencies and team motivation. 

In his work, he actively embraces innovation, including AI-based tools, treating them as a partner in enhancing creativity. 

Jacek Sosnowski
Chief Operating Officer, Franczyza.PRO
Jacek Sosnowski

An expert in standardisation and quality management. He develops franchise networks, designs and implements processes and integrated quality systems within network-based business models, and specialises in conflict resolution within organisations. 

An academic lecturer and certified mediator, actively engaged in improving communication within the business environment. 

Marcin Stolarski
Marcin Stolarski

A hospitality industry strategist and investment advisor specialising in the development of hotel and aparthotel resorts. As former Managing Director and member of the Management Board of White Olive Hotels, he was responsible for the development and expansion of a network of five four- and five-star resorts in Greece. 

He currently supports investors in hotel and resort projects across Europe, including Sea Collection by Marina Royale and Weranda Home. 

dr Kinga Wilczyńska
SAN University
dr Kinga Wilczyńska

Assistant Professor at SAN University, and a marketing expert in the pharmaceutical sector, currently affiliated with Eli Lilly and Company. She specialises in brand management and marketing strategies for innovative therapies. 

In her professional work, she combines academic expertise with business experience, focusing on projects that support the development of modern therapies and contribute to improving patients’ quality of life. 

dr hab. Alicja Waszkiewicz-Raviv
dr hab. Alicja Waszkiewicz-Raviv

Psychologist and media studies scholar, public relations specialist and researcher in social communication, working at the University of Warsaw for twenty years. Speaker at training sessions and numerous academic sessions including the PR Professionals Congress, International Communication Association, and EU Civil Protection Workshop. In media studies she applies qualitative methodologies within psychological, semiotic, socio-cultural, and critical paradigms. As part of the research team of the international REBOOT project (Horizon Europe EU grant 2023–2026), she analyses the dynamics of competitiveness of the European film industry (EFI). Author of the book Visual PR: The Power of Images in Organisational Communication (WUW, 2021). She is training in experiential-humanistic psychological support. In her work she places the human being, their perception, and how they co-create the social world together with other participants in dialogue, at the centre of attention. 

Conference Programme


 

9:30

Conference Opening 

dr Maciej Dębski, prof. SAN - Managing Director, SAN Warsaw Branc

Katarzyna Czarnocka CEO, Krzysztof Kamiński COO - KC Hotels Consulting representatives 

 

IntroductionWhy does branding determine the value of a hotel today? 

Block I: Brand Foundations and Development in Practice

9:50Brand Identity and Brand Equity in the Hospitality Industry

dr hab. Hanna Górska-Warsewicz, prof. SGGW

  1. Impact of the brand on property value 
  2. Academic research on brand equity 
10:10

Brand Identity in Practice – How Not to Lose the Brand DNA When Scaling a Network?

Klaudia Romanowicz | Arche Group SA

  1. The origins of the Arche brand 
  2. What is brand DNA and how do we define it? 
  3. Scaling a brand while maintaining authenticity 
  4. Standardisation vs. uniqueness – how to find the balance 
10:40

Brand Identity Through the Eyes of AI – What Does ChatGPT Think About Your Hotel, and Is It Right? 

Krzysztof Kościukiewicz |Co-FounderPromptEye
11:00Coffee Break & MaNa Art Exhibition 

MaNa Art | Art as an Element of Brand Experience 

A strong brand in hospitality today is not only about service standards - it is above all about emotions, experiences, and stories that Guests will remember for a long time. This is precisely why opening hotel spaces to art - authentic, moving, and created with passion - is becoming so important. During the conference we invite you to visit the extraordinary painting exhibition by Magdalena Musiał - MaNa Art, whose work is an excellent example of how a hotel can become more than a place to stay - it can become a space of inspiration, dialogue, and encounter with culture. 

MaNa Art to warszawska artystka tworząca abstrakcję pełną koloru, emocji i niepowtarzalnej energii. Szczególnego wymiaru jej działalności nadaje fakt, że poprzez swoją sztukę wspiera chore dzieci, łącząc twórczość z realnym działaniem społecznym.

MaNa Art is a Warsaw-based artist creating abstract work full of colouremotion, and unique energy. Her activities take on a special dimension through the fact that through her art she supports sick childrencombining creativity with real social action. Her works have been presented at exhibitions in Madrid, Paris, and New York City, as well as at numerous expositions in Poland, including prestigious hotel spaces. 

Block II: Independence, New Generations, and the Art of Rebranding

11:20Strong Brand for an Independent Property.
INDUSTRY PRESENTATION: KC Hotels Consulting 
  1. Building a brand from scratch | Krzysztof Kamiński & Katarzyna Czarnocka
  2. Owner's personal branding as a marketing tool  | Krzysztof Kamiński
  3. Social media as the primary sales channel | Marek Follendorf
  4. Case study – data and results | Izabela Olejniczak & Katarzyna Czarnocka
  5. The impact of storytelling on RevPAR | Izabela Olejniczak
11:50Chain vs. Independent Property – Marketing StrategiesAdvantages and Challenges – Debate 

Katarzyna Krzeczkowska | Sandra Spa Pogorzelica / Zalewski Hotels Network 

Ryszard Konkolewski | Grand Laola Spa

Kamil Maciąg | Suntago (Park of Poland) 

Kacper Jarocki |  Profitroom representative 

12:20Hotel Visual Storytelling – Telling the Story Through Images in Building a Sense of Place 
dr hab. Alicja Waszkiewicz-Raviv, prof. UW
12:40Hotel Rebranding – Reset or Strategic Upgrade? – Debate 

MODERATOR: Katarzyna Czarnocka | KC Hotels Consulting

Participants: 

Marcin Stolarski | Director, Sea Collection by MR

Mateusz Demczuk | Hilton – Unirest Hotels Group

Marcin Siepiera | Grano Hotels Network

Jacek Sosnowski | Franczyza PRO

 

Topics for discussion: 

  1. When does rebranding increase asset value? 
  2. Is a brand change a signal of crisis or growth? 
  3. How to communicate change without losing loyal guests? 
  4. ROI of rebranding – hard numbers 
13:10Break – "Culinary ExperienceFlavours of the Sea and the Mountains"

Block III: Selected Aspects of Brand Management – Academic Presentations

14:00

The Umbrella Brand and Accor's Glocal Brand Architecture 

dr hab. Anna Bąkiewicz, prof. SAN | SAN University

 

The Modern Guest in a Green Hotel. How Technology and Ecology Are Changing Competition in the Hospitality Industry 

dr hab. Michał Roman, prof. SGGW

mgr Sylwia Królak  

 From Recommendation to ReservationInfluencer Marketing and Generational Differences in Tourism 
dr Kinga Wilczyńska | SAN University 
 The Trademark as a Fundamental Instrument for Protecting a Hotel Brand in the International Market
Łukasz M. Mikosz, LL.M. | PresidentEuropean Association of Tourism Entrepreneurs (ESPT)
15:45Q&A | Final Debate Bringing Together Industry Practitioners and Academics
MODERATOR: dr Maciej Dębski, prof. SAN | SAN University
16:15Official Conference Closing 

 

Organising Committee


 

dr hab. Maciej DębskiProf. SAN
dr hab. Maciej Dębski
Prof. SAN

Managing Director of the SAN University Branch in Warsaw

e-mail: mdebski@san.edu.pl 

Katarzyna Czarnocka
Katarzyna Czarnocka

President, KC Hotels Consulting 

e-mail: katarzyna.czarnocka@kc-hotels-consulting.com 

dr Kinga Podleśna
dr Kinga Podleśna

SAN University 

e-mail: kpodlesna@san.edu.pl 

Media Patron


 

 

 

 

 

Event Partners