Atmosphere Core’s Shrikant Dash to deliver keynote on ‘Emotional Ownership’ at Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2026
Shrikant Dash, Deputy Managing Director – Corporate at Atmosphere Core, will deliver the keynote address at the Hotelier Maldives General Managers (GM) Forum 2026, focusing on how hospitality businesses can turn talent into a stronger and more enduring organisational asset.
His keynote, titled “Emotional Ownership — Turning Talent into Your Strongest Asset,” will form part of the 10th edition of the GM Forum, taking place on 5 October 2026 at CROSSROADS Maldives under the theme “Resilience and Reinvention: Talent, Technology & Transformation.”
The keynote will place people at the centre of the conversation around organisational resilience, examining the importance of creating workplaces where employees develop a stronger sense of connection, responsibility and ownership. In hospitality, where the guest experience is shaped by thousands of individual interactions, the ability to attract talent is only part of the challenge. How organisations engage, develop and retain their people has become equally important.
Dash’s presentation will explore this human dimension of performance and consider how hospitality leaders can move beyond viewing employees simply as a workforce, instead creating conditions in which talent becomes a long-term competitive strength.
As Deputy Managing Director – Corporate at Atmosphere Core, Dash drives the hospitality group’s growth across existing and new markets, including India, Italy and Africa. His role involves building relationships with private and institutional investors, developing growth strategies and overseeing their execution as the company expands its portfolio.
Dash began his career with HSBC before establishing a technology start-up, which he later sold. He subsequently moved into resort development in the Maldives, where he was involved in project management and the deployment of debt and equity investments for development groups, contributing to the opening of five resorts over five years.
His career combines entrepreneurship, hospitality development, investment and corporate strategy. Over the past decade, Dash has raised more than US$200 million in equity, while working closely with Atmosphere Core Founder and Managing Director Salil Panigrahi on business development and the continued expansion of the group.
Dash’s keynote is closely aligned with the talent pillar of this year’s GM Forum theme. With resorts continuing to compete for skilled employees while managing changing workforce expectations, leadership development, retention and organisational culture have become central considerations for hospitality businesses.
The 2026 programme will bring together resort general managers, owners, senior executives, government representatives and industry partners for keynote presentations, expert sessions and panel discussions addressing the challenges and opportunities shaping the Maldivian hospitality sector.
Other announced sessions include a presentation by Leadership and Human Capacity Consultant Nora Imeli titled “The Human Side of Hospitality: How Emotional Intelligence Shapes the Guest Experience,” examining how leaders’ ability to manage themselves under pressure influences their teams and ultimately the service delivered to guests.
SHC Law & Tax will also lead a conversational session titled “FX Conversion, MMA Approvals and Foreign Tour Operator TGST: Practical Compliance for Hospitality Sector,” featuring Dhaanish Mohamed Ameen, Junaina Ahmed and Tholhath Rasheed.
The forum will additionally feature panel discussions covering talent and the next generation of hospitality leaders, organisational resilience, and other operational and strategic issues affecting resort businesses.
Established in 2016, the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum provides an annual platform for senior tourism and hospitality leaders to exchange perspectives on issues affecting resort operations and the wider industry. The 2026 edition marks the forum’s 10th year.
A range of companies supporting different areas of the tourism and hospitality sector have partnered with GM Forum 2026.
Dhiraagu is the Premier Sponsor, while STO Energy is the Platinum Sponsor. Bank of Maldives (BML) is the Banking Partner, Dhivehi Insurance is the Insurance Partner, and Male’ Aerated Water Company (MAWC) is the Beverage Partner.
The Silver Sponsors are Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Villa Hakatha, Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) and Atoll Solar.
ALIA, Uniforms Unlimited, Maldives Insider and Blue N White are supporting the forum as Associate Sponsors.
Souvenir Marine is the Transport Partner, Manta Air is the Aviation Partner, and Storm Events is the Organising Partner.
Through its 2026 programme, the GM Forum will examine how hospitality organisations can strengthen their people, systems and leadership approaches as they prepare for the next phase of tourism development in the Maldives.
