Move fast to get on board with Hospitality Exchange 2023
Hospitality Exchange, the event for everyone who works in the hospitality industry, kicks off next week in Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Belfast on 17th & 18th October.
Whether you own, manage or work in a hotel, B&B, pub, restaurant, museum, airline or coffee shop; if you’re interested in developing and want to tap into innovation to drive business, then Hospitality Exchange is where you need to be!
The event has long been recognised as a leading platform for professionals in the hotel and hospitality industry to come together, share knowledge, and explore the latest trends and innovations.
Organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, the 2023 event will focus on four themes: People, Teams & Building Success, The Green Dream, The Global Marketplace and The True Value of Tourism.
Discussing the line-up Eddie McKeever, President of the NIHF, said: “There are several key themes in this year’s programme, but we are kicking off the conference by focusing on a perpetual industry topic that requires radical thinking – People. Recent people initiatives have included a refocus on skills, expanding the labour pool and highlighting the flexible careers available. However, the crisis continues to bite. We will therefore be looking at the issue from an industry perspective, as well as celebrating those making a significant contribution.”
The “People Power” session, hosted by Tim Browne, will feature insights from notable speakers, including Adrian Ellis from the Lowry Hotel and Tom Booton, Executive Chef at The Grill by Tom Booton at The Dorchester in London.
A ‘Gen Z Speaks’ session will outline what attracts young people to the industry, with Zena Everett, author of ‘The Crazy Busy Cure’, drawing the session to a close with a masterclass on managing time, talent and energy.
In the afternoon, Pamela Ballantine will host ‘Rising Stars’, an initiative supported by Ulster Bank to celebrate industry talent and reward stellar performance.
Janice Gault, Chief Executive of NIHF, outlining the programme for day two, which includes a Business Breakfast event and discussions on industry performance, sales, valuations, and economic influence, added: “Wednesday begins on a vibrant note with the Business Breakfast event, guided by the seasoned journalist, Mark Simpson. Sarah Duignan from STR will illuminate the performance and future outlook of the hotel sector, ensuring that figures take centre stage.
“The Sales and Valuations session, led by Tom Barrett, Head of Hotels and Leisure at Savills Ireland, will delve into the nitty-gritty of industry statistics, while Adrian Patton from ASM Chartered Accountants will conclude the breakfast event with a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of bedroom costs over the past decade.
“Our ‘Talking Tourism’ session is a forward-looking exploration of what lies ahead. We’ll delve into international trends, economic influence, and the vital pursuit of sustainable growth. Economist Andrew Webb will discuss the economic might of tourism, paving the way for a thought-provoking industry discussion on the sector’s resilience, diversification, and global opportunities.
“Yannick Cabrol from EY will then present a vision for tourism: a sustainable future. Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland will offer invaluable insights into the exciting prospects for the coming year.”
Tickets for Hospitality Exchange 2023 are selling fast, so if you want to get your hands on some click HERE.
