Set to take place on 14 November at the Royal Lancaster, London, HOSPA 2024 promises to be an inspiring convergence of industry insights, technological advancements and networking opportunities, with people from all areas of the industry represented and contributing.
This year, our keynote speakers include economist Thomas Pugh, renowned for his insightful analysis of global financial trends, and Neal Stone, the design leadership strategist behind British Airways’ world-first flatbed in business class. Furthermore, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, will also grace the stage, offering us some fascinating insights on the current state of the industry, calling on her unparalleled expertise.
The conference will delve into a variety of crucial topics, focusing on the most pressing matters set to affect us in the coming months and years. Financial insights from HotStats and BDO will shed light on the current economic climate, while breakout workshops will focus on a broad mix of subjects, including enhancing guest services through technology, travel technology, financial management and more. A dedicated People Panel will also discuss innovative staffing solutions and how to go about building a strong workplace culture – something that’s essential for navigating the ongoing challenges in recruitment and retention within the industry.
Cybersecurity and automation will also be key topics, where we’ll be exploring how to streamline the guest journey and drive revenue through automation – something that’s a particularly pertinent subject as the industry continues to evolve in the digital age and AI develops at an astonishing rate.
Inspirational leaders awards
One of the highlights of HOSPACE is always the evening’s gala dinner – and 2024 will be no exception, as we look to announce the winners of our Inspirational Leaders awards. This year does bring an element of change though, as we’re excited to introduce a new category for Inspirational Commercial Leader of the Year, where we acknowledge those in the industry who have made a real difference to the commercial success of a hotel or group.
The Inspirational Leaders awards are testament to the incredible talent within our industry, recognising those individuals who have made significant contributions and demonstrated outstanding leadership. We all know the challenges of working in hospitality and it’s our inspiring leaders who help us not just overcome the challenges but thrive as we adapt to meet them. The wonderful thing about our industry is that there are so many people doing incredible things that we have countless examples of inspirational goings on. Our awards offer the chance to provide the recognition that people so deserve – even if they don’t actively seek it – as we rely on people to nominate those who have been carving an inspirational path.
Tipping legislation
As we move into the latter part of the year, the challenges and opportunities within the hospitality industry continue to evolve. At HOSPA, our mission remains to support and connect hospitality professionals, providing a platform for learning, discussion and recognition. A key development that’s set to come into play for UK hoteliers though is imminent new tipping legislation.
“The challenges and opportunities within the hospitality industry continue to evolve. At HOSPA, our mission remains to support and connect hospitality professionals, providing a platform for learning, discussion and recognition.”
As an industry, we’re poised for a major regulatory change as the new legislation comes into force in October 2024. Originally scheduled for implementation in July of this year, the delay has granted operators additional time to align their practices with the new legal requirements. However, with the autumn deadline rapidly approaching, it is essential businesses ensure they are fully compliant when the law takes effect.
The crux of the new legislation is to guarantee that hospitality workers receive 100% of the tips left by customers. This marks a significant shift from previous practices where employers could retain a portion of tips, often used to cover administrative or other sundry expenses. The move towards full transparency and fairness in tip allocation is designed to create a level playing field across the industry, ensuring that all workers are fairly compensated for their service.
But what does it mean? Key provisions of the new legislation include the following:
- Full tip allocation: Employers are required to pass on all tips to their employees without any deductions, except for income tax.
- Transparency and documentation: To support the fair allocation of tips, employers must implement a clear, written tipping policy. This policy should outline how tips are received, allocated and distributed within the business. Additionally, employers are required to maintain comprehensive records of all tips and their distribution, which must be accessible to employees for up to three years.
- Fair distribution criteria: The legislation mandates that tips should be allocated based on objective criteria, including the worker’s role, performance and seniority. This approach aims to ensure tip distribution is equitable and free from discrimination.
- Use of tronc systems: In cases where a tronc system is used it must be managed transparently and fairly.
- Addressing disputes: The new legislation includes provisions for addressing any issues related to the distribution of tips. Employees who feel they have been treated unfairly can seek recourse through Acas or the employment tribunal system.
Implications for the industry
At HOSPA, we’ve looked at public sentiment towards tipping, and commissioned research last year found that 81% of respondents are regular tippers, with 82% of them preferring that their tips go directly to the staff. And while the new legislation aligns with these consumer expectations, it also imposes new operational requirements on businesses.
With the October deadline approaching, now is the time for hospitality operators to ensure their practices are compliant. You must carefully review the latest Code of Practice, first published in April 2024, which provides detailed guidance on how to implement these changes. This involves not only revising tipping policies and documentation but also communicating these changes to staff to ensure a smooth transition. October will be here before we know it, and the time to prepare for the new legal landscape is now.
At HOSPA, our mission remains to support and connect hospitality professionals, providing a platform for learning and discussion as well as – in the case of our Inspirational Leader Awards at HOSPACE – recognition.
If you want to keep abreast of key developments in the industry, then be sure to come to HOSPACE. By bringing together industry leaders and celebrating what makes our industry unique, we aim to inspire and uplift the entire hospitality community, while providing access to and awareness of the latest advancements and the latest challenges that we need to be aware of.
