‘New Approaches to a Bright Future?’ to be title of HOSPACE 2011

‘New Approaches to a Bright Future?’ to be title of HOSPACE 2011 – the new name for the 6th Annual BAHA Hospitality Finance, Revenue Management and IT Professionals Conference and IT Exhibition to be held on 24 November 2011

'New Approaches to a Bright Future?' is to be the title of one of the most prestigious and eagerly awaited events in the UK hospitality industry calendar – 'HOSPACE 2011', the new name from 19 September 2011 for the 6^th Annual BAHA Hospitality Finance, Revenue Management and IT Professionals Conference and IT Exhibition. The event is to be held on Thursday, 24 November 2011 at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5.

Last month, BAHA (the British Association of Hospitality Accountants) announced that it is officially to change its name to 'HOSPA' (Hospitality Professionals Association) in September 2011 to more accurately reflect the Association's rapidly growing membership (approaching 1,000 members) and their professionalism within the hospitality industry. 'HOSPA' will be accompanied by a flexible strap-line that will define its membership – currently representing the three communities of Finance, Revenue Management and IT – and is being designed so it can accommodate any future changes in finance and other commercially related roles within the hospitality industry. In line with the new name BAHA members have also voted overwhelmingly to change, from September 2011, the name of its highly successful Annual BAHA Conference and IT Exhibition to 'HOSPACE' which in effect is HOSPA with CE (Conference and Exhibition). Until the official launch on 19 September, the Association will however remain known primarily as BAHA.

HOSPACE 2011 is the 6^th Annual Conference and IT Exhibition of BAHA (to be known as HOSPA from 19 September 2011) – the UK's leading educational organisation for professionals involved in financial management, revenue management and IT within the hospitality industry. As in previous years, this highly prestigious event will enable UK and international delegates to get an informed and cutting-edge view from an international line-up of inspirational experts – all icons in their own field – about the latest key financial, revenue and IT management issues and developments; as well as the commercial aspects that connect these together to maximise profitability.

Commenting on HOSPACE 2011, BAHA Chief Executive Carl Weldon said: "HOSPACE is a complementary yet separate brand identity to HOSPA; and further reflects an exciting new era of growth for BAHA. The target audience will be directors, managers and professionals in Finance, Revenue Management and IT, as well as general managers – together with owners, investors, lenders and hotel industry advisers. The thought-provoking and informative one-day HOSPACE 2011 programme will feature a range of highly topical subjects focusing on exciting opportunities for the hospitality industry over the short, medium and longer term.

"Judging by the ever growing success of our last two Annual Conferences and IT Exhibitions, we anticipate that another record number of delegates will listen to high profile speakers; debate with expert panels; and learn from an extensive selection of educational workshops, whilst networking with fellow industry professionals and benefiting from a wide range of hospitality IT exhibitors."

Conference topics to be covered include the steady revival of investment in the hotel sector – with new room stock becoming available in 2011/12; the challenges of revenue management systems and techniques integrating with Social Media; and the call for 'integrated reporting' focusing on sustainability and provenance, as well as financial results.

The speakers will be announced shortly and will include leading international hotel chief executives; and recognised experts in finance and accounting, revenue management and IT – all discussing the latest issues impacting on the hospitality industry and how to drive industry commercial profitability and efficiency with new concepts and business models.

In addition, following on from their success at previous years' BAHA Annual Conference, there will be a programme of industry specific educational workshops – all led by top specialists in their subjects. Details of these will also be revealed shortly.

As in past years, the Annual Conference will be supported by a growing and increasingly influential exhibition of IT suppliers – providing delegates with a 'one stop shop' to view and interact with the latest and 'best in class' technologies – covering all eventualities for hospitality businesses, whether they be start-up, established independent, or multi chain-owned, operations.

In short, HOSPACE 2011 (the BAHA Conference and IT Exhibition) promises to be invaluable for networking, professional updating – through expert presentations, panel forums and educational workshops – and experiencing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

The event's grand finale Gala Dinner – including the signature 'Pub Quiz' – is one of the traditional social networking highlights of the BAHA Conference.

For regularly updated information on HOSPACE 2011 (BAHA Conference and IT Exhibition), visit the BAHA Conference Website: www.bahaconference.co.uk . For bookings and further details, contact the BAHA Administration Office on telephone: 01202 889 430; fax: 01202 887 967; or email: [email protected] .

On 19 September 2011, there will be a formal launch in London of HOSPA (venue to be finalised) where its objectives, new identities (including HOSPA and HOSPACE logos and strap-lines), the new HOSPA and HOSPACE fully interactive websites, and the first President of HOSPA will be unveiled and introduced to the UK hospitality industry. Until the official launch in September, the Association will remain known primarily as BAHA.

About BAHA, officially to become 'HOSPA' in September 2011

BAHA is a non-profit educational organisation, formed in 1969 with the aim of bringing together those hospitality industry professionals involved in financial management, revenue management and IT. Since its inception, the membership has expanded to almost 1,000 members and is recognised as the UK's authoritative voice in the hospitality industry on financial management, technical accounting issues, taxation, and hotel valuation. BAHA is also the leading arena for debate on hotel systems and Revenue Management topics through their annual Conference and meetings programmes. BAHA, which provides industry specific hospitality focused qualifications in Financial Management and IT, is currently developing a similar qualification for Revenue Management.

Following a specially convened BAHA Extraordinary General Meeting in May 2011, BAHA members overwhelmingly voted and approved the name change to 'HOSPA' – the Hospitality Professionals Association. The new name will be accompanied by a flexible strap-line that will define the membership, and can be adjusted to allow for any future changes in finance and other commercially related roles within the hospitality industry. On 19 September 2011, there will be a formal launch in London of HOSPA (venue to be finalised) where its objectives, new identity (including logo and strap-line), the new HOSPA fully interactive website, and the first President of HOSPA will be unveiled and introduced to the UK hospitality industry. Until the official launch in September, the Association will remain known primarily as BAHA.

BAHA Chairman Paul Dukes explained why the BAHA Council took the decision to give the Association a new identity. "Finance in the UK hospitality industry has changed markedly since BAHA was formed over 40 years ago," he said. "It is not only the sector that has changed, but also the way it functions – from the emergence of IT in hotel management, guest services, administration, and guest-room technology, to raising finance and the new approach to maximising room revenues – to name but a few examples. BAHA has developed accordingly – continually seeking to provide cutting-edge knowledge; and greater opportunities for personal development, education, meetings, debates and special events for its membership, helping them to enhance skills, networking and employment potential. In 2009, recognising the increasing inter-dependence of finance, revenue management and IT professionals, the BAHA Council and members took the decision to enable revenue management and IT professionals to become full members of BAHA. Already this has had a positive impact on our membership, as highlighted at last year's highly successful BAHA Annual Conference and IT Exhibition which attracted a record attendance. Now, BAHA would like to encourage much wider membership and professional opportunities for all; and the BAHA Council believes that the change in the Association's name to 'HOSPA' – together with a new distinctive logo and flexible strap-line – will more accurately reflect our rapidly growing membership and their professionalism within the hospitality industry." For more information, visit