HOSPA is delighted to announce that Pride of Britain Hotels Chief Executive Peter Hancock – raconteur and motivational speaker – is to host HOSPA’s 11th Annual HOSPACE Conference and Exhibition for hospitality finance, revenue management and IT professionals, on 10 November at the Sofitel London Heathrow, Terminal 5.
HOSPACE2016 delegates are going to be in for a treat as Peter skilfully introduces – with his highly entertaining quips and observations, customary charm, hospitality industry knowledge and wisdom – a top line-up of distinguished speakers discussing a diverse range of hot issues currently affecting the profession. These will include: ‘The Impact of leaving the EU on the UK hospitality industry’; ‘The current state of the Hospitality Industry’; ‘Attracting and retaining talent’; an expert look at ‘Hospitality Sustainability – the importance of the world we live in’; an examination of the challenges faced by the accommodation industry from the likes of AirBnB and onefinestay (handmade hospitality for stays in the finest homes), under the title ‘Disruption within traditional hospitality’; and a branded versus non-branded hotel debate, based on the proposition: ‘This house believes chain hotel brands tend to supress value rather than create it’.
By day, Peter Hancock is a top hotel businessman; and by night and the occasional lunch-time, an increasingly in-demand personality on the nationwide after-dinner speaking and business awards circuit. The self-dubbed ‘not a star but a reasonably priced raconteur’ leads a double professional life. Peter’s growing part-time career is rapidly becoming as successful as his full-time job as Chief Executive of Pride of Britain Hotels – a consortium of 48 privately owned luxury hotels that includes many of the finest establishments in the UK, such as The Goring Hotel in London, the Chester Grosvenor Hotel, and Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa in Wiltshire. Only in February, Peter hosted the Gold Service Scholarship awards at Claridge’s in London, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen; and he has just been invited to once again host the Independent Hotel Show awards on 18 October and chair both days of the Master Innholders General Managers’ Conference on 16 and 17 January 2017.
Indeed, such is Peter’s burgeoning reputation as an after-dinner speaker, conference chairman and master of ceremonies, that he is not just in demand in the hospitality industry, but also at major prestige events – such as the International Institute of Marine Surveying 25th anniversary dinner, the Institute of Highway Engineers awards dinner, and the Motorsport Industry Association dinner.
He has even found himself performing on stage in an impromptu double-act with world famous impressionist and comedian Rory Bremner!
In April, Peter’s legendary quick wit, dry sense of humour and prowess as a raconteur led Boutique Hotelier magazine to honour him as an ‘Unsung Hero’, stating: “If you’ve ever been in the audience at an event where Peter Hancock has been on the bill, then you’ll know just how much enjoyment, laughter and fun he brings to the stage. Peter has the ability to bring to life any occasion and now a professional after-dinner speaker alongside his full-time role with Pride of Britain, he offers tireless and entertaining support to many hospitality events and charities.”
So HOSPA is extremely honoured and delighted to welcome Peter to HOSPACE 2016 on 10 November as guest host for the day. Other highlights of the one-day Conference and Exhibition will include the opportunity for delegates to attend a wide selection of highly relevant ‘HOSPACE Workshops and Technical Updates’. In a similar vein, new to HOSPACE2016 will be an interactive ‘4-Way Drop-in Surgery’ – enabling delegates to benefit from four concurrent, topical presentations by leading suppliers on pressing hospitality industry issues, IT challenges and solutions.
“HOSPACE2016 promises to be the most thought provoking and informative yet,” said HOSPA Chief Executive Jane Pendlebury. “The challenges facing the UK hospitality industry in an uncertain post-Brexit world are immense, but certainly not insurmountable. HOSPACE2016 will be an invaluable forum for airing commonly experienced issues, problems and solutions. The Conference and Exhibition also represents an unrivalled networking, knowledge updating and learning opportunity for hospitality finance, revenue management, and IT professionals. At this year’s event, we have the newly added bonus of providing hospitality marketing expertise, as HOSPA now works hand-in-hand with the Hotel Marketing Association (HMA) – with HOSPA membership now additionally encompassing HMA membership.”
As in past years, HOSPACE’s ever popular exhibition of hospitality technology solutions will provide delegates with a ‘one-stop shop’ to view and interact with the latest and ‘best in class’ technologies, suitable for all sizes of operation and types of ownership.
The event’s grand finale Gala Dinner will witness another first for HOSPACE2016. HOSPA’s prestigious annual Hospitality Finance, Revenue Management and IT ‘Professionals of the Year’ awards will be presented at the Dinner, instead of at HOSPA’s traditional annual Christmas awards lunch.
For regularly updated information on HOSPACE2016, visit the HOSPACE website at: www.hospace.net . For bookings and further details, contact the HOSPA Membership and Events Office on telephone: +44 (0) 203 418 8196; or email: bookings@hospa.org
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