BHA Chief Executive Ufi Ibrahim to chair HOSPACE 2013 ‘Leaders Panel’ and pose the question: ‘What is leadership in the hospitality industry today

HOSPACE 2013 – HOSPA's Annual Conference and Exhibition for Hospitality Finance, Revenue Management, IT and Commercial Professionals – to be held on 21 November at the Sofitel London Heathrow, Terminal 5.

British Hospitality Association (BHA) Chief Executive Ufi Ibrahim HOSPA is to chair a line- up of top hospitality captains of industry for HOSPACE 2013's annual 'Leaders Panel' discussion – this year entitled 'Key issues, trends and developments facing the industry today'.

Under Ufi Ibrahim's expert guidance, the panellists – 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 – will examine the hospitality's industry's hottest topics. These will include the vitally important issue of 'What is leadership in the hospitality industry today?' and 'How to communicate effectively with potential employees and customers'.

"We are delighted that Ufi Ibrahim has agreed to chair our distinguished panel of industry experts," said HOSPA Chief Executive Carl Weldon. "There can be few more fitting or more informed people to guide the Leaders Panel through such a discussion, examining future challenges and opportunities facing the UK hospitality industry; and outlining how these can be turned into positive gains for delegates' businesses."

For her part, Ufi Ibrahim (pictured right) said: "I'm delighted to be invited to chair the 'Leaders Panel' at HOSPACE 2013. As the leading agenda-setter of the hospitality and tourism industry, the BHA is proud to be part of this vibrant and powerful community. We believe that our collective voice is stronger and our impact greater when we work together so the panel of experts will, I'm sure, offer relevant and enlightening concepts for the hospitality and tourism community which will result in tangible ideas for the delegates and their businesses."

Prior to HOSPACE 2013 – to be held on Thursday, 21 November at the Sofitel London Heathrow, Terminal 5 – requests will be made to delegates, via social media, for questions or themes surrounding the 'What is leadership in the hospitality industry' issue and other key industry subjects they would like to addressed by the 'Leaders Panel'. These could range 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.

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.

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]