‘State-of-the-nation’ overview on ‘UK Hospitality Industry and Olympics 2012’ to be led by industry leaders and analysts at HOSPACE 2011

'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

Leading hospitality industry practitioners and analysts are to lead an industry 'state- of-the-nation' overview session, reviewing the current UK hospitality industry and examining the challenges and opportunities presented by the 2012 Olympics – at HOSPACE 2011, the new name for the 6^th Annual BAHA Hospitality Finance and IT Exhibition which will be held on Thursday, 24 November at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5. The title of this year's prestigious event will be 'New Approaches to a Bright Future'.

At HOSPACE 2011 – the one-day Annual Conference and Exhibition of HOSPA (Hospitality Professionals Association for Finance, Revenue Management and IT) – the team of experts leading the overview session on the UK hospitality industry and next year's Olympics will include: Ciaran Fahy, Managing Director, The Cavendish London; Sarah Duignan, Director of Account Management, STR Global; Peter Martin, Founder, Peach Factory – a media, insight and networking business providing analysis, intelligence and market access in the UK eating and drinking-out market; and Liz Hall, Head of Research for Hospitality and Leisure, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Against a background of economic turmoil in Europe and the USA, Ciaran Fahy will be setting the scene, on behalf of HOSPACE 2011 delegates, for the overview session by examining the status of major revenue trends in the industry – ranging from hotel occupancies in London and the provinces, to retail food and beverage sales considered in relation to consumer and product trends, as well as the latest developments. Finally, he will touch upon future forecasts for the UK hotel markets, then his fellow industry and Olympics overview session participants will go into greater depth on the areas he has outlined.

For her part in the discussion, Sarah Duignan commented: "Performance across hotels in the UK has been steady so far in 2011. Year-to-date September 2011 has seen occupancy grow by 1.8% to 74.4%, ADR (Average Daily Rate) up 4.0% to £78.41 and revPAR up by 5.9% to £58.37. Performance across Regional UK has seen occupancy growth of 2.4% year-on-year. However, ADR has seen no growth year-on-year with a stagnant £58.95 leading to a 2.4% increase in revPAR, bringing it to £42.42 year-to-date September 2011. Although the London market has only achieved 0.2% occupancy growth to realise a year-to-date September 2011 occupancy of 82.6%, London has taken the clear lead with 10.5% ADR growth year-on-year – taking year-to-date September 2011 ADR to £133.82 and a 10.7% revPAR growth, with year-to-date September 2011 revPAR sitting at £110.47."

Peter Martin added: "Despite talk of austerity, all our research shows that the British public is still willing to go out to eat and drink. It is something they are not giving up on. There may not be much growth, but the market, and branded chains in particular, are holding up well. But what's driving this? Key reasons are value, quality, and convenience. The fact that so far this year, pub restaurants have been outstripping high street restaurants, may suggest it's a lot to do with the search for value – and informality."

Liz Hall will be scrutinising the outlook for 2012, posing the question: "Will the Olympics provide a Jekyll and Hyde effect or a much anticipated boost for the whole country?"

HOSPACE 2011 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: 'A Leaders' Panel' comprising five of the hospitality industry's most influential executives; 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 'Hotel Finance Panel' including top industry and finance leaders; an '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 at: www.hospace.net . For bookings and further details for both HOSPACE 2011 and EHTEC (to be held the next day on 25 November also at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5), contact the HOSPA Administration Office on telephone: 01202 889 430; fax: 01202 887 967; or email: [email protected]