Technology, investment people and green issues up for debate at British Hospitality & Tourism Summit 2014

11-Feb-2014 - Last updated on 02-Aug-2024 at 15:05 GMT

This year's British Hospitality & Tourism Summit will build on last year's focus on job creation to encompass more areas of the industry

The themes for this year's British Hospitality and Tourism Summit have been set with technology, how to develop people within the industry, investment and the environment top of the agenda for debate.

The event, which takes place at Novotel London West on 5 June, will see more than 600 members of the hospitality and tourism industry gather together for the third time in as many years to talk about the pressing issues currently affecting the sector.

This year the summit will aim to build on last year's spotlight on job creation and include more areas of debate after organiser the British Hospitality Association (BHA) invited influential members of the industry to form an advisory board to set the event's agenda.

Four elements - international and economic; technology and innovation; green issues and people talent pipeline will form the main agenda with breakout and round table discussions in the areas of energy and water; online portals/technology; training; finance and investment; food service and social media also planned to take place.

BHA chief executive Ufi Ibrahim, said: "The British Hospitality & Tourism Summit is a pivotal point in the industry calendar and a time for leaders to discuss and debate the issues which are, and will, affect our industry now and in the future.

"The Summit brings together key professionals who will support shaping our industry and ensure its evolution, ultimately revolutionising the hospitality and tourism experience beyond recognition and into a new and exciting future.

She said it had been important to have an advisory board set the agenda this year. “In our view, a collaborative approach is integral so this year we invited individuals from across the industry to join our Advisory Board event," she said. "At this event we discussed the headlines, news and issues identified as pertinent to BHA members in 2013 and debated which issues we collectively consider to be important for 2014. The mix of government, media, hoteliers and businesses gave us a cross-section of perspectives and enabled us to identify the key themes for this year’s summit. These are, according to our Advisory Board, the real issues across the board which will impact the hospitality and tourism in 2014 and beyond.”

Cost of attending the one-day conference and dinner is £500 (£250 for BHA members). To register visit www.bha.org.uk/events/summit/.