Bill Barnett
Founder and Managing Director of Asia-based C9 Hotelworks
Bill Barnett
Bill Barnett is a globally recognized hospitality, tourism and real estate advisor. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Asia-based C9 Hotelworks. In addition to being a leading consultant, he is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences.
With over 30 years’ experience in the Asia Pacific region, he has an extensive background in hotel operations, development and asset management. His past employment highlights include Senior Corporate roles at international hotel chains and publically listed companies. Bill is considered to be one of the foremost industry experts in the hotel residences sector.
To date Bill is the author of four books on travel, property and hospitality under the titles of Slave to the Bean, Collective Swag, It Might Get Weird and Last Call.
Riccardo Tossani
Architect & Urban Designer,
Riccardo Tossani Architecture
Riccardo Tossani
Architect & Urban Designer based in Tokyo and Niseko, with an international career spanning 4-decades in Europe, the US, Asia including 20 years in Japan, Riccardo Tossani's work is founded on the Renaissance notion of design as world-making, from architecture & planning to interiors and furniture emphasizing environment and sustainability. Tossani’s projects include the most prestigious hotel, resort and private residences in the greater Niseko area. Top Graduate of Harvard’s GSD, Tossani founded Riccardo Tossani Architecture with renowned Interior Architect Atsuko Itoda in 1997. Boasting international staff and culturally iconic clients including Giorgio Armani, Michelin chefs, major Japanese and Asian corporations, Tossani’s projects are regularly recognized and published world-wide.
Milos Kosanovic
Country Head, Elite Havens
Milos Kosanovic
Milos Kosanovic has over a decade's experience in the hospitality industry, particularly in Villa management. He joined Elite Havens as General Manager for Koh Samui in 2018, and at the end of 2020 he has been appointed as Country Head for their Japanese operations. His previous stints included the pre-opening of Panacea Retreat, Koh Samui’s premier Villa estate, and the founding of SILK, the Koh Samui based villa management company. Milos is now based in Niseko, Japan, and enjoys his free time with family and the family chocolate Labrador.
Eddie Guillemette
Chairperson (Greater Niseko)
CEO, Midori no Ki (MnK)
Eddie Guillemette
Eddie Guillemette is the CEO of Midori no Ki (MnK), a real estate and hospitality company that
develops and manages communities in Niseko. Prior to co-founding MnK in 2010, he was a
Managing Director at Merrill Lynch and spent 20 years working in investment banking in Hong
Kong, Sydney, London, and Boston. Under Eddie`s leadership, MnK has achieved architectural
accolades for the Orchards development, top rankings on Trip Advisor from guests, and the best
in Asia recognition for the EdVenture kid’s camp. He is a contributor to Niseko through
community service, diverse hiring practices and philanthropic causes across Asia.
John Barton
Sales Director Japan, RSTOR
John Barton
I have been living and working in Niseko since 2008. During that time I have worked extensively in many fields including real estate sales, development planning, hospitality and asset management. I also own the popular bar, Niseko Taproom, which is located in the heart of Hirafu. I have been involved with a number of major developments such as the Vale, Skye, Midtown and The Park Hyatt. As such, have had a front-row seat for the development that Niseko has experienced over the last 10 years and have seen the resort transform from a sleepy ski town into a globally recognised destination.
Shigeru Uehara
Director, Niseko Home Design,.ltd
Shigeru Uehara
Shigeru Uehara is one of few in the Niseko construction industry equipped with not only architectural design expertise but also building qualifications. He oversees all aspects of design and construction, utilizing local Japanese industry partners who are experienced in the unique environmental demands of Niseko.
Maaya Arakawa
Regional Marketing Manager, Oakwood Japan
Maaya Arakawa
Maaya Arakawa is the Regional Marketing Manager for Oakwood Japan, the pioneer Serviced Apartment firm. She is educated in Switzerland, lived in multiple countries including Thailand, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. She has over a decade’s experience in the luxury hospitality industry primarily in the marketing field. She lived and worked in Niseko in 2007 for 2.5 years opening the first premier international ski resort then again worked for the opening of the first international luxury hotel and residences in 2019 to 2020 as the Director of Marketing Communications. Currently living in Tokyo but always looking for spare time to visit Niseko.
