HOSPA to host return of The Great Green Balloon Debate at The Clermont Charing Cross

HOSPA is set to host the return of The Great Green Balloon Debate this year, bringing together leading voices from across hospitality and sustainability for an evening of lively discussion, sharp persuasion and fresh thinking.

Taking place at The Clermont London, Charing Cross on the 12^th of May, in the venue’s newly refurbished ballroom, the event has become a popular fixture in the hospitality calendar by offering a more entertaining and engaging take on the sustainability conversation.

Inspired by the classic balloon debate format, the event sees each speaker argue why their chosen sustainability theme is the most important in helping to “save the planet” – and why their topic alone deserves to remain in the balloon. While the concept is playful, the issues at its heart are anything but, with the debate designed to spark meaningful discussion around the environmental and social challenges shaping the future of hospitality.

The Great Green Balloon Debate was first developed in 2023 by Sarah Duncan of sustainability consultancy, Sleeping Lion (EASL), as a fresh approach to panel discussions on sustainability, before becoming a full-scale annual event in partnership with HOSPA, Sleeping Lion (EASL) and the Global Sustainability Index in 2024.

This year’s line-up brings together an impressive mix of experts, innovators and changemakers from across the sector, with each speaker championing a different aspect of sustainability.

The speakers for 2026 are:

• Safina Naz, Behavioural Scientist – What Makes Sustainability Stick

• Mark Maslin, Professor – Social Justice – Eight Billionaires

• David Chenery, Reassemble – Why isn't Sustainability a Status Symbol?

• David Lever, Altro Ltd – Circular Economy – Designing for Purpose

• Joe Elgar, Zero Carbon Forum – Stronger Together: Collaborate or Be Left Behind

• Joe Saberton-Coe, Clermont Hotel Group – Why We Need Greener Politics

• Nolan Wright, Belu – Water – an Endless Resource?

• Eugene Gilkes, Include Me Consulting – Building Inclusive Cultures

• Liam Jones, Olio – The Sharing Economy

• Jamila Brown, Light/Work – Power to the People

• Amy Roberts, Sustainable Wine Solutions – Choose to Reuse

• Joey Ceunen-Taylor, Carefree – One Million Empty Rooms

Rather than delivering a conventional panel event, The Great Green Balloon Debate challenges speakers to make the strongest case for their issue in front of a live audience, combining insight with humour and debate in a format designed to provoke conversation and inspire action.

Commenting on the event, Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, said: “The Great Green Balloon Debate has quickly become one of the most original and engaging sustainability events in hospitality. It takes hugely important topics and presents them in a way that is accessible, and memorable but also genuinely enjoyable for the audience. Sustainability can sometimes be discussed in ways that feel overly formal or repetitive, so this event offers something different – a chance to hear bold perspectives while challenging ideas and ultimately reminding us that meaningful progress depends on collaboration across many different areas.”

Sarah Duncan of Sleeping Lion (EASL), said: “Bigger and better than ever, it’s great to see this event go from strength to strength. Once again, we have some amazing speakers championing a range of thought-provoking topics in this unique and engaging format - proving that sustainability challenges are as wide-ranging and as important as ever.”

Although the debate sees speakers compete to stay in the balloon, the wider message behind the evening is one of collective responsibility. From circular design and reuse to inclusion, behaviour change and political action, the event highlights the fact that no single solution will address the sustainability challenge alone.

The event will take place between 4pm and 7pm on Tuesday 12^th May at The Clermont London, Charing Cross. To register please visit: https://www.hospa.org/the-great-balloon-debate