On September 18 – 19, at Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre, London Heathrow, Forum Events will host two of its premium meet-the-buyer events – Hotel Summit and Tech in Hospitality Summit. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores the line-up of speakers who will deliver engaging sessions throughout the two days of face-to-face, pre-arranged meetings and entertainment…
For years, Hotel Designs has been fuelling the seminars and panel discussions at Hotel Summit and Tech and Hospitality Summit, which are brought to the industry by Forum Events. Due the two industry’s, technology and hospitality, complimenting one another, the two events take place parallel to each other. This year, on September 18 – 19, the events will shelter an engaging series of panel discussions and seminars, curated with the aim to explore challenges, opportunities and debates on topics that are stimulating both corners of the arena.
So, let’s meet this year’s experts – here is the line-up of panels and seminars:
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
08:45 – 09:30 (Hotel Summit and Tech. & Hospitality Summit)
Session title: “Elevating the hospitality experience through technology”
Oli Morgan, Director, Blend Technology Consultants, will join myself, Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, to explore technology’s role in on the global hospitality scene. Morgan has worked with some of the world’s best designers and hotels to consult on how to sensitively introduce technology into tomorrow’s hospitality experience.
The session will cover:
- Technology trends driving hospitality into a new era
- Pitfalls to avoid when injecting technology into hospitality spaces
- How technology trends are being translated on a global scene
09:45 – 10:30 (Hotel Summit and Tech. & Hospitality Summit)
Session title: “The key to building successful teams is not what you think”
Building successful teams takes a lot more than defining everyone’s roles and responsibilities. In this presentation, Lena Thompson, Future of work consultant & Keynote Speaker, will share the key ingredient which will not only help you to build successful teams but also become a great leader.
The session will cover:
- Understanding how to optimise personal energy and transform from being burnt out to a burning flame
- Exploration of five Energy Types (using Human Design framework) and how each type is designed to perform and thrive
- Cultivating emotional intelligence and rewiring negative beliefs (workshop)
- Understanding what inner authority is and how it helps us to confidently make decisions and take inspired actions
17:00 – 17:45 (Hotel Summit only)
Session title: “A customer-centric approach to growth in hospitality”
As guest expectations continue to evolve post-Covid, Nick Pilbeam, Commercial Director, Queensway Hotels & Hospitality, explores how hospitality brands can stand out from the crowd by putting guests at the centre of a personalised hospitality experience.
The session will cover:
- A guest-centric approach to a personalised hospitality experience
- How customer intimacy and technology can combine to delight customers
- Positioning personalisation of the guest experience as an USP
17:00 – 17:45 (Tech in Hospitality Summit only)
Session title: “AI Innovations for Enhanced Guest Experiences: Practical Applications in the Hospitality Industry”
This session, led by Dominic Norton, Managing Director, Prolithink, will explore practical applications in the hospitality industry around AI. It will aim to delve into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in improving guest experiences in the hospitality industry.
This session will cover:
- Understanding the role of AI in the hospitality industry
- Exploring practical AI applications
- Enhancing operational efficiency
- Overcoming challenges and ethical considerations
- Future trends and opportunities
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
09:00 – 09:45
Session title: “Tips and Service Charges – the new legislation”
With the new legislation coming into play in the coming months, Jane Pendlebury, CEO, HOSPA, will talk through the new regulations and discuss common practices. She will draw attention to some of the potential pitfalls to watch out for and to the opportunities to maximise the benefits.
The session will cover:
- Tips and service charge
- Tronc systems
- Fair distribution
- Common practice
- Alternatives
Sounds great! How do I attend either summits?
If you are a supplier (tech or otherwise) to the hospitality industry looking to meet top hotel professionals, contact Olivia Jackson (Hotel Summit) and Lisa Rose (Tech in Hospitality Summit).
If you are a hotelier and would like to attend either Summit for free, please contact Josh Kingsmill (Hotel Summit) Hayley Purrell (Tech in Hospitality Summit).
Main image credit: Forum Events
