For the first time ever, HOSPACE, the annual conference of the Hospitality Professionals Association, is set to be a dual affair this year – as HOSPA partners with HTNG to share hosting responsibilities to build upon the success of HOSPA’s 2020 hybrid event, with the event set to consist of physical attendance and the option to attend virtually for our international delegates.
Given the worldwide audience of last year, for 2021 HOSPA is partnering with HTNG (Hospitality Technology Next Generation), a leading global organisation based in Chicago and part of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).
This partnership will give the event a truly international flavour, driving awareness of HOSPACE amongst HTNG’s established global presence while also engaging thought leaders from the HTNG community to better address main issues impacting the hospitality industry today.
Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, (pictured), said, “We’re delighted to partner with the team at HTNG for this year’s HOSPACE. The fact their focus is on next-generation technological solutions for hospitality is perfect given what we’re trying to achieve this year.
'The pandemic changed so much for everyone in our industry, and it’s now imperative to turn to technology to help us rebuild and recover.
“While we’ll be covering technology, the content of HOSPACE will be wide-ranging with many topics affecting hospitality set to be looked at and discussed during the course of the event as we call on expertise from a range of sources.
'They’ll be something there of interest for everyone who works in hospitality, including a look at sustainability following Cop 26, as well as a focus on careers in hospitality and the paths available.”
Confirmed for the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday 18 November 2021, this year’s HOSPACE follows the same hybrid edition of 2020, which included incorporating live guests in a studio along with an extended reach to advance attendance from additional parts of the world.
The event will focus on a variety of topics, including the impacts of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, emerging trends in technology, sustainability and climate change, staffing and engagement issues, decentralised identification and more.
Initial planning for the event estimates 400 guests will attend in person, with capacity for another 500 to attend remotely thanks to the use of virtual technology, with content and speakers to be announced once confirmed.
Michael Blake, SVP and CTO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), said, “HOSPA has always done a great job in bringing the hospitality community together to engage in discussion around the key issues impacting our industry.
'We’re excited to combine the forces of both organisations and look forward to our first event back with our members in the European region!”