HOSPA announces line-up ahead of annual industry conference

HOSPA, the Hospitality Professionals Association, has announced the line-up of industry experts ahead of its annual HOSPACE conference in November.

Taking place at Royal Lancaster London on 16 November, HOSPA will play host to an array of discussions and insightful workshops addressing a range of topics, such as the rapid developments in AI and the rising demand for wellness offerings. 

Peter Hancock, the conference host, HOSPA’s president Harry Murray, and CEO Jane Pendlebury will welcome guests before introducing the first discussion, which will see Kathrin Cockhill from HotStats, Mark Edwards from BDO and Jerome Wise from Amadeus reflect on the past year and offer some key insights into 2024. 

Delegates will then be offered an ‘Economist’s view’ of the industry by Thomas Pugh from RSM, followed by the first panel discussion. Moderated by Robin Sheppard from Bespoke Hotels, this will see Kate Nicholls from UKH, Adrian Ellis from The Lowry Hotel, Joanne Taylor Stagg from The Athenaeum, and Susan Bland from RBH address key industry topics. 

Gavin Allison from Lore Group, Graham Pope from Cvent, and Adrian Bingham from Leonardo Hotels will then deliver a discussion titled ‘How long until AI gets a personality?’ to explore the latest AI developments and its future relationship with hospitality. 

In a similar vein, Steve Johnson from Ruckus, Wietze Bejzeit from Shiji and Wesley Thompson from Barclaycard Payments will explore whether developments in technology are enabling or restricting hospitality. 

With hotel guests increasingly seeking wellness offerings, attendees will then hear from Daniel Sprung from Peloton, Emlyn Brown from Accor, and author Daniel Fryer. 

Enhanced marketing and revenue management strategies for increased profitability will be explored by Inna Nekrassova from The Lanesborough, Liz Callaghan from Chevel Collection, Jodie Wilson from Crerar Hotels, and Hollie McHugh from Net Affinity, before Jane Pendlebury and Janel Clark discuss HOSPA’s professional development courses. 

The final panel discussion will see Veryan Palmer from The Headland Hotel, William Gibbs from Sir Richard Sutton Hotels, Jonathan Raggett from Red Carnation Hotels, and Natalie Oldfield from Success Through Trust, explore the power of trust within hospitality. 

The day will be rounded off by a Gala Dinner, within which the winners of the Inspirational Leader Awards will be announced. 

Pendlebury said: “Once again, we are really proud of this year’s line-up and anticipate some extremely insightful discussion throughout the day. Last year’s conference was a great success and we are hoping to emulate that again this year. 

“With every HOSPACE, it becomes more clear how important it is to unite like-minded people as the potential for learning and discussion is endless. We are also looking forward to announcing the winners of our Inspirational Leader Awards during the gala dinner – which always proves a popular part of the day!”