The Hospitality and Tourism Summit 2016 Speaker Line-up announced

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Culture Secretary John Whittingdale and former Conservative party leader Lord Hague will be the keynote speakers at the hospitality industry’s most important gathering of the year. Speakers from across the hospitality world will join them and include Accor, Bidvest, Butlins, Gatwick Airport, Google, Grange Hotels, Jumeirah Hotels, Merlin Entertainments,  One Fine Stay, Starwood Capital Group, TripAdvisor and many more.

Known as the ‘Davos’ of hospitality and tourism, The Hospitality & Tourism Summit attracts leaders, CEOs, politicians, investors, and suppliers to discuss the issues that matter most within the industry.

With the Summit happening just four days after the EU referendum, it will be the government’s first platform after the referendum and an exciting early opportunity to discuss the impact of the vote on the country and on our industry.

The event, organised by the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and Bench Events and hosted at The Grange St Pauls Hotel, London is widely recognised as a must for anyone who wants to be part of the conversation about the latest developments in the restaurants, serviced apartments, attractions, clubs, pubs, caterers and hotel sector and how they will shape the future.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the BHA said: “If you attend one event this year, it should be the BHA Summit 2016. The timing couldn’t be more critical – 27th June, just four days after the EU referendum. As the fourth largest industry in the UK, our voice matters, and this will be the moment when the industry comes together to help plan for our future, either in or out of the EU.”

This year’s Summit, on June 27, 2016 will have ‘being connected’ as its theme, with workshops and discussions on key topics relating to the industry’s need to work together in an ever-changing environment.

Europe is also a big challenge for the industry, with the implications of the EU vote and its impact on hospitality and tourism likely to be a hot topic.

Diversity, the challenges of the digital economy, investment, employment law and the challenges of connecting to the wider world will also be on the agenda.

Some of the biggest names in travel, tourism, technology, leisure and hospitality sectors will be at the Grange St. Paul’s Hotel in the City of London for the 2016 Summit.

David Norgrove, Chair of the Low Pay Commission will  discuss the National Living Wage, Apprenticeship Levy, employment policy and how it affects the hospitality and tourism industry.

And the chief executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, will talk about how putting the city before politics – and building connections with businesses – enabled Manchester to become a thriving and influential city, and a champion of hospitality and tourism.

Ms Ibrahim added: “The Hospitality and Tourism Summit on 27th is the most influential event of its kind and this year we have the best ever speaker-line up.

“It gives people working in and with the industry the chance to connect with industry leaders, agenda-setters and members of the government and the media for discussions that will shape our future path towards growth.

“Being connected is about forging partnerships within the industry and recognising that working together is better for success than going it alone.

“It is also about meaningful conversations with government and our observers – about engaging with them, being authentic and being accountable.”