The ‘HOSPA Spotlight’ panel of industry specialists to discuss, explore and illustrate ‘Hospitality and the Digital Challenge’ at HOSPACE 2015 on 26 November, has been revealed.
The expert panel will examine – under the deft chairmanship Dr Crispian Tarrant, Chief Executive of BDRC Group, the UK’s largest independent research consultancy, well known to large branded hotel groups – how the hospitality industry should embrace fast changing digital issues to maximise business potential.
The panellists
The panellists – bringing their particular experience and expertise to the first in-depth, 70-minute ‘HOSPA Spotlight’ of the one-day HOSPACE 2015 Conference and Exhibition – will be:
- Stephen Minall, Owner/Director of Moving Food – specialising in the development of brands and product solutions for retail and foodservice companies;
- Mark McCulloch, Founder and Chief Executive of WE ARE Spectacular; Carson Booth, Vice President, Global Property Technology at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide;
- Irene Van Der Watt, Area Manager – Regional UK and Ireland, Expedia Lodging Partner Services;
- Tom Weaver, Chief Executive of Flypay – a new entrant into the ‘Digital Payment’ arena;
- and Dr Michael Toedt, Managing Partner of TS&C, which developed the dailypoint software – the Marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution for independent and group hoteliers. Dr Toedt is also the author of a 2014 book on hotel ‘Big Data’, entitled ‘Data Revolution
How Big Data Will Change the Way of Doing Business’ – copies of his book will be available at HOSPACE 2015.
Key questions
Examples of key questions and subject areas they will be answering, and discussing in-depth, will include:
- Why has the UK hospitality industry been so slow, compared with other service industries such as supermarket chains and the airlines, to embrace digital technology and the data insights revolution for developing effective customer relationship management and loyalty schemes? What does the industry need to do to address the situation?
- How can an effective digital strategy have a significant impact on hotel security, payments, revenue management, marketing, guests (before and after they book) and staff?
The Challenges of Effective Outward and Inward Hospitality Management
There will be a second in-depth ‘HOSPA Spotlight’ session at HOSPACE 2015, providing the centre-piece for the afternoon discussions; and this will focus on ‘The Challenges of Effective Outward and Inward Hospitality Management’. Both ‘HOSPA Spotlights’ will be supported by the latest cutting-edge, interactive technology to ensure full delegate participation – including voting on issues raised.
For regularly updated information on HOSPACE 2015, visit the HOSPACE Website here . For bookings and further details for HOSPACE 2015, contact the HOSPA Membership and Events Office on telephone: +44 (0) 203 418 8196; or email: bookings@hopa.org