Bringing together senior leaders from hospitality, banking and finance, government, and advocacy, the Mediterranean aha Forum, in Partnership with VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings examines how accessibility is becoming a defining factor in the future of hospitality, tourism, and economic growth.
The Forum reflects growing recognition that accessibility is no longer a specialist consideration, but a strategic priority influencing investment decisions, workforce development, destination competitiveness, and long term business resilience. Hosted in Malta, the gathering also marks the establishment of a Mediterranean focal point for advancing accessible hospitality across the region.
The Mediterranean aha Forum, in Partnership with VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings
18 March 2026 — Malta Marriott Resort & Spa, Balluta Bay, St Julian’s
Event MC: Miriam Greenaway, HelmsBriscoe
Morning Programme
10.30 – 11.15
Registration and Welcome Refreshments
11.15 – 11.20
Opening Framing
Miriam Greenaway, Event MC
11.20 – 11.25
Opening of the Forum
Dr Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister of Malta and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism
11.25 – 11.30
Welcome Address
Shawn Pisani, Vice President, HelmsBriscoe, Malta Lead, Accessible Hospitality Alliance
11.30 – 11.50
Keynote Address
Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President Emeritus of Malta
Leadership Dialogue
11.50 – 12.20
From Conversation to Movement: The Evolution of Accessible Hospitality Alliance and Why Malta Matters
Chair: Piers Zangana, Director, Susa Comms
Panel:
Robin Sheppard, Chair, Accessible Hospitality Alliance
Denis Sheehan, Managing Director, Accessible Hospitality Alliance
Frank Bothwell, Group CEO and Founder, Thomas Franks
Shawn Pisani, Vice President, HelmsBriscoe
Lived Experience Perspective
12.20 – 12.35
Shelley Cowan, Associate Partner, BB Merchant Services
12.35 – 13.45
Lunch
Collaborative Discussions
13.45 – 14.10
Facilitated Roundtable Sessions
Key themes include:
accessible design
destination strategy
workforce inclusion
commercial return on accessibility
public policy and social equity
accessible tourism leadership
Facilitators include representatives from SPM Consulting, VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings, Lino Spiteri Foundation, Aġenzija Sapport, Malta Hotels & Restaurants Association, and Accessible Hospitality Alliance.
14.15 – 14.45
Roundtable Feedback and Forum Discussion
Industry Leadership Panel
14.45 – 15.10
From Commitment to Implementation: Accelerating Accessible Hospitality
Speakers to be confirmed
15.10 – 15.35
Refreshment Break
Human Perspective and Future Direction
15.35 – 15.50
Lived Experience Perspective
Angela Bettoni, Writer, Performer and Advocate
15.50 – 16.05
The Next Phase: Building the Access Champions Collective
Robin Sheppard, Chair, Accessible Hospitality Alliance
Closing and Reception
16.05 – 16.15
Closing Remarks
Shawn Pisani, Vice President, HelmsBriscoe
16.15 – 18.00
Reception and Networking
Featuring a live performance by Angela Bettoni
Strategic Context
The Mediterranean aha Forum, in Partnership with VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings reflects a growing shift in how accessibility is understood across the global hospitality landscape.
No longer viewed solely through the lens of compliance or specialist provision, accessibility is increasingly recognised as a strategic factor influencing investment decisions, workforce development, destination competitiveness, and long term business sustainability.
By bringing together senior leaders from hospitality, banking and finance, government, and advocacy, the Forum creates a rare cross sector environment in which accessibility is examined not in isolation, but as lived experience and as part of wider societal and economic change.
The presence of national political leadership alongside industry decision makers signals the scale of this shift: accessibility is moving from operational consideration to boardroom priority.
For hospitality leaders, the implications are clear. The ability to welcome everyone is no longer simply a matter of good practice, but an increasingly central element of reputation, resilience, and commercial success.
The Mediterranean aha Forum therefore represents more than a gathering; it reflects a growing consensus that the future of hospitality will be increasingly shaped by accessibility.
Accessible Hospitality Alliance would like to thank all of our partners and sponsors, more are being announced soon.
Sponsor Partners of The Mediterranean aha Forum, in Partnership with VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings