The Hospitality Industry World Congress turns Barcelona into the hospitality capital

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The Hospitality Industry World Congress (HIWC) was founded with the aim of harnessing the knowledge and expertise of the hospitality industry in the quest for global solutions that help the strategic advancement of the sector. It will bring together the leading world experts on the world accommodation sector. The congress will structured around 5 main themes to analyse the different aspects of the hotel industry.

The aim of the opening “track” of the first edition of the HIWC, “The new paths towards hotel efficiency and profitability”, is to provide professionals with the keys to maximum hotel profits.

The sessions in this track, which will take place on Wednesday 17th October, will focus on four lines of action which are regarded as strategic in the development and management of hotel projects: efficiency in construction projects, contract and facilities; efficiency in purchases; efficiency in sustainability; and efficiency and profitability in service.

Michael Nowlis, Executive Programme Director, London Business School, will give the keynote address of this first session. “The changes in consumer behaviour, hotel design, social media and dynamics of setting prices are fast altering the hotel business and need a new, innovative way of thinking. Past successful business models are not a guarantee of future profitability” says Nowlis “The HIWC will act as a forum in which to examine the change in paradigms that are revolutionising the accommodation sector”, he adds.

Internationalisation, an opportunity for growth
The internationalisation and expansion of companies is one of the most basic and important options if we are to continue growing in a climate such as the current one. The second track of HIWC conferences, “Expansion and internationalisation. Where to go?, will analyse this topic.

How and where to grow is therefore a key element to be taken into account when designing expansion strategy and, in this sense, the second set of conferences incorporates the two main geographical areas that represent most of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China): Asia and Latin America. Carlos Vogeler, Regional Representative for the Americas of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), will be one of the speakers in this session.

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Daniel Fountain / 07.10.2012

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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