Captains of industry announced for HOSPACE 2013 ‘Leaders Panel’

HOSPA is delighted to announce the line-up of top hospitality captains of industry for HOSPACE 2013's annual 'Leaders Panel' discussion on 'Key issues, trends and developments facing the industry today'.

Putting the current hottest topics under the microscope will be: HOSPA President Robert Cook, Chief Executive of De Vere Hotels & Village Urban Resorts; Heiko Figge, former Managing Director of Guoman and Thistle Hotels and currently head of private equity company Moorfield Group's hospitality portfolio; Jonathan Raggett, Managing Director of Red Carnation Hotels; and Stewart Campbell, Managing Director of Redefine BDL Hotels which develops and manages branded and independent hotels.

The panellists will examine the hospitality's industry's hottest topics – ranging from the Government's attitude to the hospitality industry, the UK's non-competitive tourism VAT rate compared with other European countries, and the difficult visa process for international visitors, to job creation, the best use of social media and ecommerce, and the costs of sourcing and procurement.

The 'Leaders Panel' will help set the scene for HOSPA's Annual Conference and Exhibition 'HOSPACE 2013' – the most prestigious gathering of like-minded hospitality practitioners in the UK – which is to be held on Thursday, 21 November at the Sofitel London Heathrow, Terminal 5.

Commenting on the Leaders Panel, HOSPA Chief Executive Carl Weldon said: "HOSPACE 2013 is delighted to welcome such an eminent and distinguished panel of industry experts who will be examining future challenges and opportunities facing the UK hospitality industry; and outlining how these can be turned into positive gains for delegates' businesses."

In addition to the 'Leaders Panel' discussion, other highlights of HOSPACE 2013 – designed for Hospitality Finance, Revenue Management, IT and Commercial Professionals – include: a top-level Finance Panel discussion on 'The changing face of the funding landscape for the hospitality sector'; a thought-provoking Hospitality IT Debate on 'Is Technology good for the hotel/hospitality business?'; and a highly informative Revenue Management Debate on 'Integrating all the feeds for Revenue Management'. In addition, delegates will be able to benefit from HOSPACE's popular, highly topical programme of hospitality industry specific educational workshops – all led by top specialists in their subjects.

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

For regularly updated information on HOSPACE 2013 (HOSPA Conference and IT Exhibition), visit the HOSPACE 2013 Website at: www.hospace.net . For bookings and further details for HOSPACE 2013, contact the HOSPA Membership Services Office on telephone: 01202 889 430; fax: 01202 887 967; or email: [email protected].

HOSPACE 2013 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 and create value.

HOSPACE 2013 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 'HOSPA Pub Quiz' – is one of the traditional social networking highlights of the Conference.