HOSPA, the Hospitality Professionals Association, is set to celebrate the industry’s inspirational leaders at its annual awards ceremony in November – with nominations for worthy candidates now open.
The event, which follows on from the success of its 2019 pre-pandemic awards, is set to celebrate those who work in the sector who have gone above and beyond despite the challenges of the Covid crisis.
Set to cover a number of categories, the awards will take place on 18th November at The Royal Lancaster Hotel London, with winners announced in the evening during a Gala Dinner – an aspect of HOSPACE that had to be put aside at 2020’s hybrid event.
The awards are now open for nominations (with a deadline of October 29th) and HOSPA is encouraging people to put forward those individuals who continued to shine throughout the pandemic. On top of its traditional awards categories, this year will have two special awards for COVID Heroes, for both an individual and a corporate entity.
The full range of categories set to be awarded at the event as part of the collective, industry-wide celebration, include:
• Inspirational Finance Leader of the Year Award - Sponsored by BDO
• Inspirational Revenue Manager of the Year - Sponsored by Right Revenue
• Inspirational Marketer of the Year - Sponsored by HMA
• Inspirational Technology Leader of the Year - Sponsored by Keystep Solutions
• COVID Hero – Corporate - Sponsored by BT
• COVID Hero – Individual - Sponsored by HOSPA and HTNG
The year’s event sees HOSPA partner with HTNG for the first time to share hosting responsibilities, with HOSPACE 2021 following on from 2020’s hybrid edition by continuing to take advantage of technology – with a virtual element allowing international delegates to remotely attend the conference, while hundreds of delegates will also be attending the in person event.
Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, commented: “The inspirational leader awards were a great success in 2019 and following a Covid-induced hiatus last year, we are delighted to bring them back for our 2021 event as part of our gala dinner - which, for many, is the highlight of the conference!”
She continued: “We’re so looking forward to welcoming delegates in person this year and it will provide a great opportunity for industry professionals to come together face to face and celebrate what they have achieved in the past 18 months. The awards will be presented to remarkable individuals who have adapted to the pandemic and continued to achieve great things. The overarching purpose of the event, however, is to celebrate everyone in the industry who has battled on throughout this enormously challenging hospitality climate.”
Initial planning for the event will see around 400 guests attend in person, with capacity for another 500 to attend remotely thanks to the use of virtual technology. The event will focus on how hospitality will look in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling upon a range of voices to discuss the long-term impacts of the pandemic and how the industry has evolved and will continue to evolve as we move forward.
The event will also draw upon pressing climatic issues in the industry, corresponding with HOSPA’s recent launch of their new ‘Sustainability Toolkit’. Alongside the challenges of the pandemic, the world faces the ever-growing issue of climate change, which has encouraged HOSPA to provide its members with a comprehensive toolkit providing the latest industry-specific information on how to make a difference.
Jane continued: “Last year’s hybrid event was a great success, and we’re hoping to replicate that level of accessibility through a similar hybrid format this year. Partnering with HTNG for 2021’s HOSPACE means we’ve been able to make the most of its team’s knowledge on next generation technology solutions – something that will help us in executing what we’re trying to achieve. Alongside this, we have a great selection of industry voices set to deliver essential advice on how we move forward as an industry and the popular Gala Dinner will be a great way to round off the day – with the award winners set to form a particular highlight.”