Hotel Owner Conference 2026
Agenda · 03 November 2026

One day. Eight conversations that matter.

One day, eight sessions. Every panel is chaired, every conversation is on the record of the room — and every minute is built to move the business of hotels forward.

  1. 08:45 – 09:30
    Break

    Registration & Morning Networking

    Coffee, pastries, and the first conversations of the day.

  2. 09:30 – 09:40
    Moment

    Welcome & Opening Remarks

    Setting the stage for the day.

  3. 09:40 – 10:25
    Market Insights

    Beyond the Horizon

    Navigating the macroeconomic waves of 2026.

    PANEL · Jeavon Lolay & Dave North (Lloyds Banking Group) · Host: Michael Northcott

    A sharp, data-driven deep dive into the financial and economic currents shaping the UK hotel industry. The panel will unpack raw macroeconomic data, tying CPI changes and debt finance realities directly to RevPAR, ADR, and disposable guest spend. Attendees will walk away with a clear view of where capital is flowing and how to insulate their businesses against broader economic turbulence.

  4. 10:25 – 11:10
    Operations

    Frontline Fortitude

    Balancing premium standards with margin pressures.

    PANEL · Julie White (Accor), David Anderson (Aimbridge), David Hart (RBH) · Host: Lewis Catchpole

    Hotel operators are caught in a pincer movement: skyrocketing supply chain and labour costs on one side, guests demanding flawless value on the other. This panel digs into asset management, smart cost-control, and building operational agility across diverse portfolios — without eroding brand equity or the guest experience.

  5. 11:10 – 11:30
    Break

    Morning Coffee & Networking

  6. 11:30 – 12:15
    Leadership

    The Modern Anchor

    Leadership strategies for a changing workplace.

    PANEL · Christian Masters (art'otel), Caroline Gregory (The Lovat), Simon Numphud (AA Hospitality) · Host: Heather Sandlin

    Managing a modern hospitality workforce demands a shift from old-school hierarchy to empathetic, visionary leadership. These industry standard-bearers explore how to inspire loyalty across multi-generational teams, foster open communication, and maintain personal mental resilience while navigating constant industry disruption.

  7. 12:15 – 13:00
    Events Market

    The New Roar of MICE

    Capturing the evolving corporate booking market.

    PANEL · Shonali Devereaux (MIA), Varun Shetty (The Belfry) · Host: Lewis Catchpole

    The MICE sector looks radically different than it did a few years ago. From hyper-personalised retreats to tech-heavy hybrid conventions, this session uncovers what today's corporate planners actually want from a venue — and how to maximise yield per square foot of weekday business.

  8. 13:00 – 14:00
    Break

    Buffet Lunch & Networking

    Dedicated time for food and building connections.

  9. 14:00 – 14:45
    Development

    Blueprint for Growth

    Mastering hospitality development & deal-making.

    PANEL · Tim Davis (PACE), Gavin Taylor (Clermont), Paul Blackmore (Hilton), David Orr (Resident Hotels) · Host: Heather Sandlin

    Despite tight credit markets, the appetite for strategic hotel development remains fierce. Brands and asset managers discuss the shift toward conversions, brand repositioning, and adaptive reuse over ground-up builds — and how to pitch a deal that gets signed.

  10. 14:45 – 15:30
    Technology

    Beyond the Buzzwords

    Pragmatic AI strategies for the guest journey.

    PANEL · David Beers (Choice Hotels), RBH AI Expert, Canary Technologies · Host: Michael Northcott

    AI is already driving revenue and plugging labour gaps. This panel cuts through the jargon to showcase how automated guest messaging, contactless check-ins, and predictive analytics can save thousands of labour hours while increasing guest satisfaction scores.

  11. 15:30 – 15:55
    Break

    Afternoon Coffee & Networking

  12. 15:55 – 16:40
    People & Culture

    People First

    Cracking the code on culture, retention, and wellbeing.

    PANEL · Mark Lewis (Hospitality Action), Suzanne Speak (Radisson) · Host: Lewis Catchpole

    Recruitment is tough, but retention is where the real battle is won or lost. Industry leaders share actionable advice on mental health initiatives, flexible working models, and defined career progression pathways that turn seasonal jobs into lifelong careers.

  13. 16:40 – 17:05
    Crisis Management

    When the Custard Hits the Fan

    Fast-track lessons in crisis control.

    PANEL · Custard Communications

    In a 24/7 digital world, a single bad incident can escalate into a viral PR nightmare within minutes. A compressed, practical session delivering an actionable blueprint for emergency communication, team mobilization, and brand protection.

  14. 17:05 – 17:15
    Moment

    Closing Remarks

    Final thank yous and the day's key takeaways.

Agenda subject to minor changes. Hard stop 18:00.