A ‘Leaders Panel’ of top hospitality industry executives will highlight key issues, trends and developments facing Finance, Revenue Management and IT professionals

‘New Approaches to a Bright Future?’ is the title of the one-day HOSPACE 2011 Conference & Exhibition – to be held on Thursday, 24 November 2011 at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5.

Key current issues, trends and developments affecting all hospitality professionals will be examined by five of the industry’s most influential figures in a special ‘Leaders Panel’ discussion at HOSPACE 2011 – the new name for the 6th Annual BAHA Hospitality Finance and IT Exhibition which will be held on Thursday, 24 November at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5.

At the one-day Conference, entitled ‘New Approaches to a Bright Future’, the hospitality ‘Leaders Panel’ will comprise: Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA); HOSPA President Robert Cook, Chief Executive of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin Hotels; Patrick Dempsey, Managing Director, Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants; Richard Lewis, the new Chief Executive of Best Western Hotels; and Casey McDermott, Vice President, Hotel Performance Support EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group). Under the skilful guidance of HOSPA Chairman Paul Dukes, they will be undertaking a highly topical and wide-ranging industry discussion – covering everything from branding, the sustainability of supply and purchasing, the impact of the 2012 Olympics, and the evolving role of the revenue manager, to the latest industry trends, guest expectations, and the economic issues of VAT together with the current state of the economy.

“We are delighted to welcome such a distinguished panel of industry leaders to discuss the most pressing challenges, trends and issues currently facing the industry against a backdrop of ever changing technology, new legislation and a continuingly tough global economic climate,” said Leaders’ Panel Chair Paul Dukes, who is also Executive Chairman of Dartington Hall at Totnes, Devon; and Chairman at Kew Green Hotels.

HOSPACE 2011 is the conference of HOSPA – the ‘Hospitality Professionals Association’ for Hospitality Finance, Revenue Management and IT (formerly known as BAHA). 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. Highlights include: ‘An industry and 2012 Overview’; a Revenue Management session asking the question: ‘Rate parity pricing and the Office of Fair Trading investigation – are your practices and policies putting you legally at risk?’; a top-level IT debate examining the major challenges presented by hotel guest expectation regarding new technologies; and a programme of industry specific educational workshops – all led by top specialists in their subjects.

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.

HOSPACE 2011 (formerly known as 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. This year, the Gala Dinner will be introduced by Harry Murray MBE, Chairman of award-winning Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath.

For regularly updated information on HOSPACE 2011 (BAHA Conference and IT Exhibition), visit the HOSPACE 2011 Website temporarily at: . For bookings and further details for both HOSPACE 2011 and EHTEC, contact the HOSPA Administration Office on telephone: 01202 889 430; fax: 01202 887 967; or email: [email protected]

About HOSPA (‘Hospitality Professionals Association’ for Finance, Revenue Management and IT) – BAHA moving forward
HOSPA is a non-profit educational organisation which has evolved from BAHA (British Association of Hospitality Accountants) which was formed in 1969. The aim of HOSPA is to bring together those hospitality industry professionals involved in Financial Management, Revenue Management and IT. Whereas BAHA has been recognised as the UK’s authoritative voice in the hospitality industry on financial management, technical accounting issues, taxation, and hotel valuation, HOSPA now is additionally the leading arena for debate on hotel systems and Revenue Management topics through their annual Conference and meetings programmes. The membership has expanded to over 1,000 members. HOSPA, which provides industry specific hospitality focused qualifications in Financial Management and IT, is currently developing a similar qualification for Revenue Management. For more information, visit: ; and from 3 October 2011:

Background to decision to change from BAHA to HOSPA and HOSPACE 2011
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 is accompanied by a flexible strap-line that defines the membership – comprising the three HOSPA Communities for Finance, Revenue Management and IT professionals. On 19 September 2011, HOSPA was formally launched in London, as was the new name for its highly acclaimed Annual Conference and IT Exhibition which is now known as ‘HOSPACE’ (HOSPA plus CE for Conference and Exhibition). ‘HOSPACE 2011’is to be held on 24 November at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5.

HOSPA Chairman Paul Dukes explained why the then 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 then 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 the highly successful 2010 BAHA Annual Conference and IT Exhibition which attracted a record attendance. Now, the Association 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.”