As the vibrant colours of autumn give way to winter’s crisper air, I look back on a particularly active time for HOSPA, which encompassed key events, such as our annual HOSPACE conference, partnerships, communitybuilding efforts and more, which are all aimed at celebrating our fantastic, yet ever-evolving industry. Autumn has been a testament to the strength and adaptability of our hospitality community and here I reflect on some of the highlights.
Rekindling the HOSPA Fellows Event
We kicked off the season with a reimagined HOSPA Fellows event – the first in over a decade. A gathering of HOSPA’s most senior members, who intermingled with up-and-coming hospitality professionals, it provided a refreshing blend of camaraderie and professional insight, with an atmosphere of both reflection and anticipation for the future. It wasn’t merely a nostalgic nod to past Fellows meetings but an occasion to reconnect on pressing issues and emerging trends. Attendees exchanged insights on topics from technological innovation to sustainability practices, making the event an enriching experience that underscored HOSPA Fellows’ dedication to leading industry transformation – with the event hosted under blue skies with views of London’s Thames River.
Such senior-level gatherings underscore the value of exchanging ideas at a high level, and the event left us all inspired and invigorated. This renewed Fellows event is set to become a mainstay in HOSPA’s calendar, offering our seasoned professionals a forum for continued engagement, reflection and leadership within the sector.
Howden’s networking soirée
In September, we joined forces with insurance brokers Howden, for an evening soirée, which offered a unique networking experience against the stunning backdrop of the London skyline. As an extra highlight, attendees were delighted by an appearance and brilliant talk from rugby World Cup-winning legend Jason Robinson, a true icon whose stories elevated the event’s atmosphere.
This gathering enabled members to forge valuable connections in a setting that perfectly balanced the formal and informal, further enriching the HOSPA network. Events like this are another example of how vital it is to cultivate a sense of community, helping to foster the professional relationships that drive our sector forward.
Learning about the future of work
With more amazing views of London from the top of the BT Tower, we were lucky enough to benefit from the expertise and analysis from Dr Nicola Millard, BT’s principal innovation partner. This was followed by a wonderful panel of hospitality leaders sharing how they had reaped considerable rewards from approaching the staffing crisis with unique ideas. Again, one that delegates were able to go back to their businesses with renewed vision.
Exploring sustainability with The Great Green Balloon Debate
October saw HOSPA lead the way on one of today’s most critical conversations: sustainability. Our Great Green Balloon Debate’, in partnership with the Global Sustainability Index, Sleeping Lion and Raw Charging, heard from leading professionals in environmental strategy, showcasing their diverse viewpoints. Moderated by Sarah Duncan, author of The Sustainable Business Book, the debate took a playful yet impactful format, as multiple experts – all focusing on individual aspects of sustainability – argued why their approach would best ‘save the planet’ if given the chance. What made the event so special was hearing all the different views knowing they all shared the same goal of saving our planet. It was Amanda Bronkhorst, CEO of Just One Tree, whose passionate call for reforestation took the day, where she presented a compelling case for ecosystem restoration.
The lively format helped demystify sustainability for our industry, showcasing actionable steps that can have a genuine impact. From waste management to renewable energy, the discussion reinforced HOSPA’s belief that sustainability is achievable through collaborative, incremental changes. The debate’s format not only kept the audience engaged but also provided our industry leaders with valuable, tangible guidance on integrating sustainable practices in their operations. We aim to build on this momentum, encouraging our members to draw inspiration from the event’s takeaways and make practical strides in their sustainability journeys.
Strategic advancements with the Hotel Marketing Association (HMA)
This autumn also marked a pivotal period for the Hotel Marketing Association (HMA), which sits under the wider umbrella of HOSPA. As the HMA works to strengthen its impact within our industry, it embarked on a significant restructure, refining its leadership model to address the needs of modern hotel marketing more effectively.
The restructure has introduced focused roles to guide strategic initiatives, content creation and community engagement, with new leadership positions including Andrew Farrow, group director of marketing, RBH, who will take the role of executive chair and work closely with HOSPA. Representing the HMA on the HOSPA board, he’ll help drive strategic planning and collaboration between both bodies. Harry Fielder, CEO of Umi Digital, assumes the position of community chair, and he’ll represent the HMA within the wider hotel marketing and agency community, while leading HMA events such as webinars and the Hotel Marketing Awards. Finally, Stephen Moran, director of marketing, London & Group loyalty at The Doyle Collection, takes up the role of committee chair, to focus on building a cohesive and active committee, ensuring regular meetings and effective coordination of activities, and also overseeing various subgroups dedicated to awards, content creation and marketing qualifications.
This strategic refinement will enable the HMA to work more cohesively, ensuring that hotel marketing remains an integral focus within hospitality and within HOSPA’s wider agenda. From elevating industry standards through to enhancing educational offerings for marketing professionals, the HMA’s streamlined structure promises to yield impactful results in the coming years.
HOSPACE 2024
This year’s HOSPACE, held, as ever, at the fantastic Royal Lancaster, London, was an unequivocal success. With record-breaking attendance and an excellent line-up of speakers, the conference addressed both the pressing challenges and the promising opportunities in our industry. As always, HOSPACE provided an invaluable platform for industry professionals to engage with key trends, from the integration of AI to new approaches in guest experience enhancement.
This year’s agenda featured AI in hospitality, cybersecurity, financial management and automation, as well as discussions on creating supportive workplace cultures and sustainable operational models. A particular highlight was the discussion offered up by our Leaders’ Panel, which provided some fascinating insights. The multiple sessions across the day fostered an environment where attendees could both learn and contribute, underscoring HOSPACE’s role as a cornerstone of industry education and collaboration.
Our gala awards dinner, a cherished HOSPACE tradition, saw us honouring many exceptional figures through the Inspirational Leader awards. Celebrating the achievements of our industry’s best and brightest was a fitting close to an unforgettable day, and it was particularly heartening to see the growth in attendance as HOSPACE cements its reputation as a must-attend event for UK hospitality.
Looking ahead
Following a remarkable few months, I’m filled with pride for everything HOSPA has accomplished throughout autumn. Each event, from the Fellows gathering to HOSPACE, has exemplified our commitment to fostering innovation, connection and resilience within our industry. These achievements reinforce HOSPA’s vision of a collaborative, forward-thinking community that embraces both modern challenges and emerging opportunities with enthusiasm.
The path forward remains clear: to continue championing our members and elevating the hospitality industry as we step into the new year. By cultivating a stronger, more connected network of professionals, we look forward to making an even greater impact in 2025. Our dedication to education, sustainability and strategic growth will guide us as we face new challenges and celebrate further successes.
In hospitality, as in life, change is constant. But as we’ve seen in 2024, with a community as committed and resilient as ours, the future is undeniably bright.
Hospitality sales grow modestly in September amid economic pressures
The UK’s leading hospitality groups saw a modest year-on-year sales increase of 1.7% in September, matching infl ation and continuing a trend of below-infl ation growth over recent months, according to the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. Managed operators have achieved like-for-like growth in eight of the past nine months, with total sales growth, including new venues, reaching 3.7%. Restaurants led the way with a 3.2% increase, while pubs grew by 1.5%, and bars continued to struggle with a 3.8% decline. The on-the-go sector performed best, up by 4.3%.
Regionally, London trailed slightly with 1.3% growth compared with 1.9% in the rest of the UK, partly due to rainy weather that impacted pub visits but benefi ted indoor dining. Industry leaders remain cautious, noting the challenges of rising operational costs and economic uncertainty in light of the government’s Autumn Budget. With tax and wage increases ahead, many in the sector face substantial pressures as they enter the crucial holiday trading period. Source: www.hospa.org
Competitive socialising gains ground in UK hospitality
Nearly 41% of UK consumers have engaged in a competitive socialising event, like bowling, mini golf, or pool, in the past quarter, according to CGA. This rapidly growing segment prioritises affordability (39%), location (33%) and atmosphere (29%) when selecting venues, with games-focused experiences taking precedence over food quality.
Consumer drink choices reveal a preference for soft drinks (38%), with lager (20%) as the leading alcoholic option. Price sensitivity is key, but 53% of consumers are willing to spend more on higher-quality drinks, and nearly half enjoy trying new options. This trend presents valuable opportunities for venues to cater to diverse tastes and launch new brands in this dynamic, experience-driven segment. Source: www.hospa.org
