HOSPA CEO Jane Pendlebury looks back over another successful conference
So, that’s it for another year. HOSPACE is over for 2018. The HOSPA team is never quite sure whether to breathe a sigh of relief or mourn the passing of another annual conference. The build up has us all working ridiculously long hours but the event itself makes it all worth it. We are so proud of what the team is able to deliver each year. It is always very gratifying to receive such good feedback and we are confident that the quality of the content combined with the calibre of the networking makes HOSPACE unique. Thank you all for attending and adding to the atmosphere and success of the day.
As I mentioned in the last edition of The Overview (which doubled up as the delegate pack) and also numerous times throughout the day, our annual conference is the event that it is because of the contribution of the sponsors and exhibitors. Without their investment, HOSPACE would be a very different event and we appreciate their commitment to us. As a hotelier, I urge you to keep abreast of the changing landscape out there - not just in technological advances, but also in legal / regulatory changes such as Making Tax Digital and the impact that Brexit will have on the hospitality industry. Talk to the vendors. More often than not the suppliers are ahead of the game and can offer advice and support on facing new challenges.
There are many reports in this month’s edition of The Overview, covering specific aspects of HOSPACE, but in short, for me it was a day packed with informed panel discussions and educational workshops, with sprinkles of wisdom from industry stalwarts.
And then the party! I don’t think anyone went away from the Gala Dinner disappointed. Helen Richardson-Walsh was full of energy and listening to her talk was a great way to start the evening. She told tales of her gold medal win at the Rio Olympics and the focused mindset that enabled Team GB’s remarkable achievement. She said to me during the meal that were it not for London hosting the 2012 Olympics, women’s hockey would have been unlikely to have secured the funding for her sport - another reason to be proud. The magicians were breathtaking - the award winners inspiring. The mood in the room was electric and I know that many a new contact was made over the course of dinner and the ensuing party. The last men (and ladies) standing finally admitted defeat at 4am!
We are planning to return to the Royal Lancaster again next year, which I am sure you will be pleased to hear. There will be a few changes to the format and physical layout, but much will continue as usual. Please SAVE THE DATE - 28th November 2019, which is much later in the month, ensuring that we miss half term holidays and will no longer fall on the first day of a new calendar month.