HOSPA reveals HOSPACE 2026 programme with focus on commercial performance and hospitality’s changing workforce

HOSPA, the Hospitality Professionals Association, has announced its programme for HOSPACE 2026, which will bring together senior hospitality professionals to explore how operators can strengthen business performance and respond to changing guest expectations.

Taking place at the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday 12^th November, the annual conference will combine industry discussions with practical workshops, covering HOSPA’s core disciplines of finance, technology and revenue management, alongside ESG and commercial leadership.

Following a welcome from conference host Peter Hancock and HOSPA’s leadership team, HotStats CEO Michael Grove will outline UK hospitality performance, before UKHospitality chief executive Allen Simpson examines policy and taxation. A panel moderated by The Caterer editor James Stagg will then explore balancing growth opportunities with risk, while Apaleo founder and CEO, Uli Pillau, and Otherwander CEO, Fredrik Korallus, will challenge established approaches to running hospitality businesses.

The afternoon will explore how connected technology can improve hotel operations and commercial decisions, with contributions from Jon Davis, chief technology officer at Village Hotels, and Valerie Cook, revenue strategy director at Rudding Park. A subsequent guest experience panel, moderated by HMA chairman Harry Fielder, will consider how digital tools can simplify the guest journey while supporting personal service.

Commercial performance will come into sharper focus through a discussion featuring HOSPA’s head of professional development, Janel Clark, Journey founder and CEO, Simon Bullingham, and The Mandrake managing director, Eljesa Saciri, examining how decisions across a hotel contribute to financial results.

A separate discussion on demonstrating ESG progress will encourage operators to consider how evidence can strengthen the credibility of their sustainability communications. Sally Beck, deputy managing director of The Landmark Collection, and workplace happiness specialist Richard Clarke, will then explore how leadership and employee engagement can support retention.

Practical workshops will complement the main-stage discussions, giving delegates opportunities to explore ideas in greater depth. Additionally, five-minute ‘HOSPA 300’ presentations will introduce further ideas throughout the afternoon, with a closing leadership panel offering even more operator perspectives.

Delegates can then continue exchanging insights over networking drinks and canapés, before the Gala Awards Dinner, where the Inspirational Leader Awards winners will be announced.

Decisions about commercial strategy, people and technology are closely connected. An investment in new systems needs to make sense for the team, the guest and the business. This year’s programme creates space to examine those relationships and learn from people approaching them from different perspectives.

We want delegates to leave with ideas they can question, adapt and put into practice within their own businesses. Bringing operators and specialists together is central to that, as is the opportunity to continue those conversations between sessions. We also look forward to celebrating the people making a difference across hospitality through our Inspirational Leader Awards

Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA

To register for HOSPACE 2026, please visit https://www.hospa.org/event-details/hospace-2026. To view the full programme, visit https://www.hospace.org/programme.