Following the success of Manchester, join senior hospitality leaders in Edinburgh for an exclusive Hospitality Leadership Forum, hosted by HOSPA and sponsored by Focus on Hospitality (powered by Focus Group). This high-level regional event explores how technology, data and AI are really impacting hotel operations today. 

 

In setting the context around the pressures facing hotels, this peer-led conversation is designed to uncover why technology decisions feel increasingly complex. Through a fireside on managing hotel IT infrastructure, and expert perspectives on digital transformation, we’ll tackle legacy systems, integration challenges, staff adoption, digital fatigue and what “good” technology actually looks like in practice. We’ll also demonstrate where AI is already delivering value in hospitality, helping hotels flex resources and support teams.

​

Through focused discussions and insight-led sessions, delegates will gain a strategic view of emerging opportunities, regional performance trends, and best-practice approaches to governance and digital transformation across the hospitality sector.

​

The agenda is evolving but to give you an idea of this morning session see below: 

 

 ​09.00      Coffee & Connections
09.30      Welcome

09.45      STR insights - Market update 

                   Presented by Diego Lanzoni, Associate Account Director

10.00      Regional Market Insights - Guest Data & AI Insight Session: 

                   Presented by Paul Griffiths, Head of Growth, GuestRevu

                   Uncovering the truth of guest perceptions and what they really care about. In this session GuestRevu will present insights from publicly

                   available online reviews of Edinburgh hotels, analysed using AI to uncover key guest themes, sentiment trends, and the operational

                   drivers behind them. 

10.15     Translating insights into informed strategic action

                  Presented by Craig Burns, Director, Huckleberry

                  This session will show how guest review data can be used proactively to fuel creative and digital marketing campaigns, rather than

                  getting stuck on the negatives. Huckleberry will demonstrate how sentiment can be reframed into positioning, amplified strengths, and

                  guest-led campaign messaging.

10.30     Experts Panel: Mapping the guest journey from inspiration to advocacy in the AI-era

                  Moderated by Ryan Haynes, Founder, Haynes MarComs / Hoteliers' Voice Podcast

                  Experts across hospitality and technology will discuss how AI can tap into every step of the guest journey from the point of discovery to  

                  repeat, loyal and influential guests. The session will look into the IT infrastructure and tech stack that is future-proofing hotels to enable  

                  them to go the extra mile while improving staff experiences. 

                  Panellists:

                             - Alessandra Leoni (Focus on Hospitality) - AI integration and infrastructure

                             - Paul (Guest Revu) - Reputation management and post-stay analytics

                             - Craig Burns (Huckleberry) - Connectivity, infrastructure, pre-booking technology

11.00     Audience Q&A

11.15     Refreshment Break

11.25     Managing hotel IT infrastructure: the internal-external working relationship, does it work?

                  Fireside by Ryan Haynes between Alessandra Leoni, Head of Hospitality, Focus on Hospitality & Andrew Marsh, Head of Operations, Resident

                  Hotels. A journey through MSP and internal IT, how a partnership works to optimise performance and remain future proof

11.45     Connectivity as the foundation of the modern guest journey – from experience to revenue

                  Presented by Rob Sargeant, EMEA Hospitality Brand Manager, RUCKUS 

12.00     AI for next wave hospitality

                  Presented by Sam Kelly, AI Specialist, Focus Group 

                  Where AI is making real progress in business and operations - how is it helping flex human resources. Illustrative example of AI from an

                  AI expert.

12.15     Hotel panel - The reality of guest journeys

                  Hoteliers will share their personal experience of addressing tech and digital transformation and the barriers and opportunity to

                  adoption. We’ll review the mornings session and talking points and understand how the pre to post-stay journey is experienced by hotel

                  teams. 

12.45    From insight to reality/ Facilitated small-group

                             -  Operational pain points holding teams back

                             -  Failed and Successful tech changes

                             -  Where support is most needed in the next 12–24 months

1.30        Event Closes

​​

 

Partners & Guests (guests to be confirmed soon):

• Alessandra Leoni, Head of Hospitality, Focus on Hospitality

• Jane Pendlebury, CEO, HOSPA

• Ryan Haynes, Founder, Haynes MarComs / Hoteliers' Voice Podcast

• Paul Griffiths, Head of Growth, GuestRevu

• Craig Burns, Founder and Director, Huckleberry

• Rob Sargeant, EMEA Hospitality Brand Manager, RUCKUS Networks

• Andrew Marsh, Head of Operations, Resident Hotels (The Resident Liverpool and 4 of the Four Points Flex by Sheraton) 

• Sam Kelly, AI & Automation Specialist, Focus Group

• Diego Lanzoni, Associate Account Director, STR​