Londonist DMC, a leading name in the international education industry, marked its remarkable ten-year journey with the Turquoise Summit, held from September 29th to October 1st, 2023, at the prestigious Kaya Artemis Resort Hotel in Northern Cyprus. This milestone event served as a tribute to Londonist's enduring legacy and a platform for industry leaders to discuss the future of student accommodation while emphasising student well-being.

The Turquoise Summit, aptly named after the pristine turquoise waters of Northern Cyprus, brought together esteemed partners, dedicated team members, and influential figures from across the globe for an extraordinary celebration and enlightenment.

Day One Highlights

The first day of the Turquoise Summit began with an inspirational speech by Londonist's Founder and Managing Director, Asim Erturk. Asim Erturk welcomed the guests and the team members, sharing Londonist's long and successful journey with an inspiring presentation by saying, “A decade ago, our journey commenced with a dream of enhancing the accommodation experience for students and their parents. Today, we continue to chase this dream, backed by a team of more than 100 individuals across four offices in diverse countries. It is challenging to provide accommodation to students across 50 London locations, but thanks to partners, agencies, key collaborators, and dedicated employees for making it possible for us to continue to deliver an excellent student accommodation experience. Our employees speak over 20 languages, which has been pivotal in connecting with a global student community.“ He concluded his rousing speech with, “This event and celebration is not just for us but also for you. We aim to simplify both your personal and business life. We envision mutual growth and collective success and are eager to embark on this journey together. I don’t want to say we have just started because it’s been ten years. Let’s envision another ten years together.

Asim Erturk’s speech was followed by a motivational address from Thom Jones, igniting attendees' passion for life and success. Each department presented the latest updates on their respective projects, providing insights into their innovative contributions. The day concluded with a warm welcome cocktail event, fostering networking opportunities.

Day Two Highlights

Day two featured Asim Erturk's Londonist Global Group Presentation, offering a captivating account of Londonist's journey to its 10th anniversary. The day was dedicated to panels and seminars, allowing guests to explore topics of interest. Panels such as "Digitalisation in International Education Industry, Innovative Go-to-Market Strategies" and seminars on networking by brand consultant and journalist, Arda Sayiner and sales techniques by Nicola Lutz. 

After a delightful lunch prepared by Kaya Artemis Resort's culinary team, the second part of panels and seminars began, including discussions on factors impacting the student accommodation sector and strategies for its renewal. Attendees gained valuable insights into adapting to challenges and fostering long-term success.

The Grand Gala

The second day culminated in an unforgettable gala dinner, accompanied by the melodious tunes of the Erdem Ozkan Quartet. Guests were treated to an inspiring presentation by Susan Fang and a heartfelt celebration of the Londonist's team. Exceptional team members received plaques for their outstanding contributions, and partners of Londonist were presented with limited-edition Londonist 10th-year plates. The night ended with a high-energy Dilek Sert Erdogan Band performance, leaving attendees dancing the night away.

Final Day Highlights

The final day of the Turquoise Summit began with a rejuvenating meditation session led by Prof. Dr. Ender Saraç, followed by valuable insights into healthy lifestyle choices. The summit concluded with a group photoshoot celebrating Londonist's 10th anniversary and closing remarks by Umang Gandecha, Executive Director of Londonist Global, and Dinara Suleimanova, Senior Business Development & Partnership Manager of Londonist DMC.

The Turquoise Summit showcased the importance of implementing effective strategies in the student accommodation sector while prioritizing students' well-being, ensuring a thriving future for the industry.