Dr Elton Sun has been well recognized as one of the nation’s most respectful and influential industry leaders for over a decade. His leadership at the HK CTS Metropark Hotel Group from 2007 to 2015 saw the company transform into one of the world's top 100 hotel companies, establishing the 4-star Metropark and 5-star Grand Metropark brands. The acquisition of UK-based Kew Green Hotels under his supervision marked a significant milestone in China's hotel industry history, expanding the company’s reach into international markets.

As the Global Chief Development Officer and Executive Vice President of Huazhu Hotel Group (2016-2019), Elton played a key role in the company's growth into the 7th largest hotel company globally. His contributions enabled the successful transformation of Huazhu from a domestic economy-sector-oriented hotel company to a truly international full-scale hotel company.

Since launching Yusu Hotel Management Co., Ltd. in 2019, Elton has gained recognition as one of China's most innovative hotel entrepreneurs. The company's UrCove brand, despite its short history and the challenges of the pandemic, has become a leading lifestyle brand in China with 23 operating hotels and 62 properties in the pipeline. Elton’s creative approach to business model innovation, development strategies, and management and operation innovations has set new benchmark for China’s hotel industry.

Prof Bai, Professor and Associate Dean of Research in the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), has been dedicated to the tourism and hospitality industry since 1980s. He oversees all on-campus master’s degree programs in the college. He also represents the college on the Research Leadership Council and Top Tier Graduate Enrollment Management Committee for Graduate Education at UNLV. To nurture new talent, Prof Bai mentors faculty (especially junior faculty) on research career issues and engages faculty in strategic research partnerships with the industry.

Over the years, Prof Bai has been actively engaging in grant writing and has a successful record of funding from both internal (college and university) and external organizations. He received the most prestigious awards that only recognize the most impactful scholars for their long-term contribution to hospitality scholarship and research.

As one of the most supportive PolyU SHTM graduates, Prof Bai has provided continuous contribution to various SHTM events for over a decade. He has taught at PolyU and has been a frequent speaker at PolyU conferences and forums. Caring about the students at his alma mater, he has donated to support the SHTM students affected by COVID-19.

Mr Yuen is currently the Senior Manager of Head Quarter F&B of Shangri-La Group. Overseeing its operations amid COVID-19, he has been planning and implementing the pandemic outbreak and recovery guidelines to cope with local government policies. Mr Yuen also conducts hotel audits to monitor food safety and service standards and governs risk management for all member hotels. To contribute to the community for social good, Mr Yuen has been leading and organizing CSR & Sustainability campaigns on ESG perspectives (environmental, social, & governance) during the pandemic.

In addition, Mr Yuen has earned his recognition of his outstanding performance in the tourism and hospitality industry by being awarded The Youngest Two Michelin Stars (Chinese) Restaurant Manager in Hong Kong (25 year-old) and he received regularly “Gold Star of the Customer Delight Programme” from Shangri-La.

To cultivate and support next generation, he becomes a mentor for SHTM Mentorship Program and VinUniversity Vietnam Mentorship Program. He also provides continuous support to PolyU by becoming the Financial Secretary of SHTMAA and he has been a frequent speaker to provide industrial insights to students at his alma mater.

Dr Tang has more than 25 years of remarkable career in the corporate travel industry. He is currently Executive Director and Founder of Corporate Travel Community which is a new venture under Informa Group. For over a decade he oversaw Goldman Sachs’ Asian travel program as Executive Director, before being appointed as Regional Director, Asia for the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) between 2012 to 2019. Earlier on, upon graduation, he was one of the first cohort to initiate the setup of the commercial sales department in Cathay Pacific.

Academically, Dr Tang received the Doctor of Hotel and Tourism Management in 2018 from his alma mater which is twenty-four years after he graduated with 1st Class Honours in B.A. (Hons) Tourism Management. And in between, he obtained his Master of Social Science in Tourism Policy Management in The University of Birmingham United Kingdom. His extensive knowledge of the corporate travel sector has made him a sought-after speaker, lecturer and thought leader in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr Tang has a vast network of industry contacts and is passionate about knowledge sharing and best practice. He thrives on the creation of innovative tools and solutions that enable peers and stakeholders to excel in their roles.

With great enthusiasm and attention to detail at heart, Mr David Lau began his journey in hospitality from a young age by opening a city centre hostel while completing his business degree at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Finding great joy in providing travellers a comfortable accommodation, he pursued a Master of Science degree in International Hospitality Management, graduating with distinction from the SHTM. As the Founder and CEO of Ocean Sky Hotel Management Limited, he is leading an experienced and innovative team, focusing on hotel management and consultancy services for small to medium-sized boutique hotels. Currently Mr Lau is a director for various hotel real estate development and hotel management companies, managing a few boutique hotels in operation in Hong Kong and Japan.

Mr Lau established the brand Popway Hotel in 2012. The subsequent preparation took 3 years and Popway Hotel was grand opened in October 2015. “POPWAY” stands for “Passion Of Poppets Will Amaze You”, in which Poppets (the friendly associates in the hotel) will surprise every guest with their passion in providing the best services and accommodation experience possible.

Aiming to spread his hotel management philosophies overseas, Mr Lau established the Popsible Group in 2018, an international joint venture to construct and manage innovative hospitality concepts in Osaka, Japan. By setting a new benchmark of hotel guest experience, Mr Lau envisioned the endless “Pop-sibilities” in future international tourism.

Dr Shih began his hotel career as a venture capitalist specialized in hotel investment in mid-1980’s. In 1995, he was recruited by Marriott International to develop Marriott hotel brands in China, and he introduced Marriott to acquire the Renaissance Hotel Group which added more than 100 properties to Marriott in 1999. In 2000, he founded his own hotel consultancy, Old Stone Hotels Company Limited, an independent consultant to give hotel investors advice on hotel development. He also assists hotel owners to identify appropriate hotel brands and help negotiate management agreements and manage the management companies.

Dr Shih attended University of Massachusetts, University of Hartford, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University where he earned B.Sc., MBA, and D.HTM degrees respectively.

Ms Betty Simpson was a graduate of the Higher Diploma Course in Institutional Management and Catering Studies of the SHTM, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1986. She has more than 30 years’ experience working in various hotels and clubs in Hong Kong. She started her career as the Housekeeping Supervisor at the Harbour View International House. She then moved to the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong and later became the Senior Assistant Housekeeper. She then changed to the club industry as the General Manager of the Yau Yat Chuen Garden City Club, Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club and currently at The Helena May.

In her personal capacity, Betty actively serves the hospitality industry in the following organizations, such as: Member of the Government’s Task Force on 10 Business Liaison Groups, Member of the Government’s Club Industry Business Liaison Group, Vice Chairman of the SHTM Alumni Committee, Member & Vice Chairman of the Club Managers Association of Hong Kong and Member of the Organising Committee of the Asian Club Management Conference.

Ms Betty Simpson was presented the ‘Unsung Hero Award’ at the SKAL Hong Kong Ladies Luncheon in 2011.

Mr Xu Peng is the SHTM graduate from our Master of Sciences in Hotel & Tourism Management programme offered in Hangzhou in 2006. He is the Associate Director of Zhejiang Provincial Tourism Administration supervising the Tourism Programmes and Vocational Education of Zhejiang Province.

Mr Xu has over 30 years of experience in the tourism industry in government. Apart from his active role at the Tourism Administration, Mr Xu is also an adjunct professor at Tourism College of Zhejiang, executive member of Zhejiang’s Youth Association & Zhejiang-Taiwan Research Association. He also served as an organiser in certain key tourism events, such as China International Tourism Commodity Expo, Tourism Collaboration Conference for Zhejiang and Taiwan etc.

As the Director & General Manager of Hong Thai Travel Services Limited, Mr Jason Wong has been working for the company since 2003, and has been engaged in the tourism industry for over a decade.

In addition to developing outbound tourism, Mr Wong is also actively involved in the promotion of training and industry development. He is currently the Chairman of The Hong Kong Travel Industry Council, Member of Tourism Strategy Group for the Tourism Commission, Member of the Cruise Industry, Committee Advisory for the Tourism Commission, Member of Employees Retraining Board, Ocean Park Corporation Board, Honorary Consulate of Republic of Mali - Hong Kong.

Mr Wong is a member of the Industry Advisory Committee of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at PolyU.

Dr James Mabey is the Chief International Business Officer, Head of Asia and Middle East, for Standard International, LLC, and is responsible for Standard’s business in Asia and the Middle East.

Dr Mabey holds degrees from the USA, Thailand, and China, including an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism and a Doctoral Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the SHTM. He is a frequent speaker at industry and academic conferences, and guest lecturer at universities throughout Asia Pacific. He is also a committee member of the SHTM Industry Advisory Committee, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Asia Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education.

Dr Mabey holds degrees from the USA, Thailand, and China, including an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism and a Doctoral Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the SHTM. He is a frequent speaker at industry and academic conferences, and guest lecturer at universities throughout Asia Pacific. He is also a committee member of the SHTM Industry Advisory Committee, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Asia Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education.

Ms Sylvia Chung graduated from the SHTM with a Master of Science in Hotel and Tourism Management in 2010. She has been a leading figure in the Hong Kong hotel industry for more than a decade. She now serves as Executive Vice President of the L'hotel Management Company Limited under the Chinachem Group, and has been steering the opening and development of three new hotel properties of the Group. She has also assumed the role of General Manager of these three hotel establishments.

Prior to joining the Chinachem Group, Ms Chung was the Management and Operations Planning Consultant for the PolyU Teaching and Research Hotel Limited, where she offered her strategic advice on the opening of the University's first-ever, world-class teaching and research hotel facility.

At present, Ms Chung is the Vice-Chairman of the Retail and Tourism Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Tourism Strategy Group of the Tourism Commission. In 2013, she was also invited to join the Steering Committee of The PolyU Innovation & Entrepreneurship Global Student Challenge.

Ms Chung has received various awards, one of which is the Bauhinia Cup Outstanding Entrepreneur Award 2002, a prestigious tribute selected by an independent judging panel of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to top successful entrepreneurs in Hong Kong and Mainland China. She was also honoured with "The Most Successful Women 2004" by the influential 'Jessica' magazine.

Mr Victor Chan studied 'O' & 'A' levels at Uppingham School (a UK boarding school) between 1977 & 1982 and attended North London Polytechnic where he completed year one of the Higher Diploma course in Hospitality Management before returning to Hong Kong to complete his Higher Diploma from the Department of Institutional Management and Catering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University graduating in 1985.

A seasoned hotelier, Mr Chan joined The Kowloon Hotel (a member of Harbour Plaza Hotels and Resorts) as General Manager in February 2009, bringing with him over 25 years of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining The Kowloon Hotel, he held several management positions at world-renowned hotels such as Hilton, Marriott, and Regent.

Mr Chan was honourably elected as Chairman of Hong Kong Hotels Association for a term of two years in August 2012. Prior to becoming Chairman of the Association, he was the 1st Vice Chairman of the Association between 2010 & 2012.

In early 2013, Mr Chan was appointed as a member of the Working Group on Convention and Exhibition Industries and Tourism under the Hong Kong SAR Government newly established Economic Development Commission. He is also a member of the Tourism Strategy Group, which was set up in 1999 to consider and make strategic recommendations to the Government in respect of tourism development.

Mr William Lin graduated with an MSc in Hotel and Tourism Management from the SHTM in 2007. He is currently the Deputy General Manager of the Guangzhou Lingnan International Enterprise Group Co. Ltd; Chairman and General Manager of the LN Hospitality Management Co. Ltd and Board Director of the Garden Hotel Guangzhou.

Mr Lin has received many awards, including the Standing Director of China Tourist Hotel Association in 2009; Honour Badge by China Tourist Hotel Association in 2006; Deputy of 14th People's Congress of Yuexiu District Guangzhou in 2005 and Certificate of Hotel GM by CNTA's Post Training and Guiding Committee in 2004.

A SHTM graduate of Hotel and Catering Management in 1993, Mr Maurice Kong also completed the Accelerating Management Talent Program of the Richard Ivey School of Business in 2008.

Since then, Mr Kong has held several senior positions in international hotel groups and has worked on projects in USA, Singapore, Germany, Malaysia, and Thailand. He joined the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Ltd in 2002 and is now the Director of Food & Beverage.

Mr Kong has taken part in leading many significant international events. During the fiscal year of 2010/11, his award winning team of over 300 chefs, service staff, catering sales and events personnel served almost 2.3 million guests worldwide.

Mr Kong is committed to nurturing younger generations. Currently he is the Chairman of SHTMAA, Honorary President of Les d'Ecoffier Society Asia Pacific Region, and a member of the jury of the MORS Gold Pin Competition 2005-2011 in Macau and the advisory board member of Kung Lee College.

A 1988 graduate of Higher Diploma in Institutional Management and Catering Studies, Mr Wilson Lee spent a few years in hotel sales and marketing before going to England to study at Kent Business School at the University of Kent, where he received an MBA with distinction.

Mr Lee returned to Hong Kong in 1993 and continued to work in hotel sales and marketing field, private membership clubs and in travel portals. In 2002, he joined Grand Hyatt Hong Kong as Director of Marketing and was promoted to Resident Manager and further to Director of Marketing - Asia Pacific for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. He then assumed the job of Director of Global Sales for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. Recently he was appointed General Manager of Andaz Hotel, a new Hyatt brand hotel, in Shanghai.

Ms Alison Yau graduated from SHTM with a Higher Diploma, Bachelor and Master of Science. She has filled almost every position that the hospitality sector has to offer after graduation. She was General Manager of the Hotel LKF by Rhombus in Central before her promotion.

Ms Yau subsequently took up the position of Director of Business Development of the Rhombus International Hotels Group, where she was responsible for overseeing the operations of the company's properties in Hong Kong, as well as for exploring and expanding business opportunities in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Asia Pacific.

Ms Yau was General Manager of Hotel Soul by Rhombus, Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Her devotion, strong leadership, education, and training skills bring the company another dimension of dynamic energy and diverse experience.

Mr Jeremy Xu graduated with an MSc in Hotel and Tourism Management from the SHTM in 2004. While a student, he received a research paper award from the Asian Pacific Forum for Graduate Student Research in Tourism.

Prior to taking up his position at the MTR Corporation Ltd, Mr Xu was Vice President of the China National Travel Service (HK) Group Corporation and Executive Director of China Travel International Investment H.K. Limited. Previously he served as General Manager for several hotels in Mainland China and Hong Kong, adapting modern management theories to the Chinese situation. Mr Xu's strength lies in integrating the interests of guests, staff members and other stakeholders in daily operations.

Mr Sunny Sun graduated from our Higher Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management programme in 1992. After obtaining his MSc in International Hospitality Management from the Scottish Hotel School at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow during 1995, Sunny began a career in hotel services management. He now has more than 10 years of extensive experience working in hotel groups in China.

Sunny is currently the Vice President, Development (China), Langham Hotels International and is spearheading the development of the Langham brand in China. Previously, he served as Director of Development for Hilton International and Accor Asia Pacific.

Sunny devotes substantial time to community service and actively participates in SHTM activities. He serves as the 1992 SHTMAA Year Representative and is an active supporter of various SHTM events and initiatives.

Mr Wallace Li graduated from PolyU with a Higher Diploma in Institutional Management and Catering Studies in 1984. He then obtained his MBA from Northwestern University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2001.

Mr Li is General Manager, Racecourse Catering Operations, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and spent the early part of his career in hotel services in China – a pioneering task at the time.

Devoting much time to community service, Mr Li is Chairman of the SHTMAA, SHTMAA Year Representative of 1984 and a mentor in the SHTM's Mentorship Programme. He has also provided many opportunities for SHTM students to undertake internships.

Mr Leo Lee graduated with a PolyU Higher Diploma Institutional Management and Catering Studies in 1982. He also earned an MBA in 2004 from the University of Western Sydney.

Mr Lee has worked in hotel services in both Hong Kong and Mainland China, and joined the Lee Gardens management team in 1988. He has been with Stanford Hotels International since 1992, where he is currently General Manager and Owner's Representative.

Ms Zuleika Mok graduated from our Higher Diploma programme in 1983. She also obtained a BA in Social Science from Florida International University in 1985 and an MBA from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1996.

Ms Mok has more than 20 years of experience in the hotel industry and is currently Vice President-Human Resources of Wynn Macau. She is a member of the School's Advisory Committee and is an active supporter of SHTM events and initiatives.

A 1985 PolyU graduate, Mrs Byron started working for Walt Disney World as a cultural exchange programme student. In 1996, she spearheaded the First Asian Business Expo and Career Fair at Disney's Contemporary Hotel. She was also selected as a Walt Disney World Ambassador for 2000.

Mrs Byron's outstanding achievements have won her great acclaim within the industry. She has been honoured with the Leadership in Diversity Award by the Asian American Heritage Council, the Outstanding Achievement Award by the US Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, and Walt Disney World Minority Business Relations Partner Recognition.

Continuing to pursue her career with Disney, Mrs Byron also contributes significantly to the development of hospitality education at the SHTM.

Mr Nixon Chung Yiu-kwong graduated with a PolyU Higher Diploma in Institutional Management and Catering Studies in 1983. He is currently the Managing Director of Camloy International Limited, and has extensive experience working in hotel groups in both China and Vietnam.

Mr Chung actively participates in community services, particularly the promotion of medical care in China. He has also served on the SHTM's Advisory Committee, acted as a student mentor, and offered many opportunities for SHTM students to undertake internships.