Registration is open for Independent Hotel Show 2023 

Visitor registration has opened for the Independent Hotel Show, in partnership with James Hallam, which returns to Olympia London on 16-17 October. 

The UK’s only trade event dedicated to the boutique an independent hotel sector, the Independent Hotel Show welcomes a diverse range of hoteliers for two days of networking, learning and product sourcing. 

A carefully curated selection of over 200 innovative businesses – including transformational hospitality tech, high-end design & décor suppliers and unique in-room F&B solutions – will be on hand to discuss their latest products and services.  

“This year’s show is packed with fascinating discussions, quality suppliers and countless opportunities to celebrate what makes this community unique.” Glenn Wallace, Event Manager for the Independent Hotel Show

A jam-packed seminar programme 

This year the Independent Hotel Show will be hosting a range of insightful presentations, discussions and debates across the Innovation Stage, in partnership with eviivo and designed by New Heritage, and the Hotel Business Stage, in partnership with HotelPartner and designed by Design Command. 

From marketing your hotel and working effectively with influencers to the psychology of design and putting the ‘S’ back into ESG, each stage will platform leading hoteliers and hospitality experts from across the UK.    

An exciting addition to this year’s event is a partnership with LEVEN Hotels for an interactive showcase of the LEVENverse, a fun virtual immersive hotel environment built in the Metaverse. 

“We’re delighted to be partnering with the Independent Hotel Show this year and showcasing the possibilities of the metaverse for the hotel sector.” Timothy Griffin, Co-Founder of LEVEN Hotels

Guests at the show will once again have the opportunity to meet with peers and discuss industry trends and best practice in the Social Business Space, designed by New Heritage, with hosted roundtables covering the latest opportunities and challenges in the hotel sector. 

 Independent Hotel Show 2023 has also partnered with sustainability consultant Sarah Duncan to provide real value for hoteliers looking to learn more about how to improve their sustainability initiatives.   

“The ESG Hub at this year’s Independent Hotel Show is designed to educate and engage – not to preach or intimidate. We hope that everyone visiting the hub will walk away with a nugget or two of knowledge or inspiration to help on their ESG journey, plus find some helpful solutions to common challenges.” Sarah Duncan

Carefully curated suppliers to the independent hotel sector   

Visitors to the Independent Hotel Show this year can expect to meet with quality suppliers including fresh quality flower supplier Fredericks of London, digital marketing agency Umi Digital and sustainability focussed bed brand Hypnos. 

 The event will also feature leading hotel cosmetics supplier ADA Cosmetics.

“Dispenser innovation and hygiene is at the forefront of trends in the hotel sector this year. We will be showcasing an interactive wall of dispenser options for hotels to test and try out at this year’s show.” Delaine Walker, Vice President of Sales – UK & Ireland

Shortlist announced for Independent Hotel Show Awards 2023

The Independent Hotel Show has unveiled the shortlist for the 11th annual Independent Hotel Show Awards, in partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

Launched to celebrate excellence in the world of boutique and independent hotels, the awards recognise prominent hotel and promising hoteliers in two categories: Independent Hotel of the Year and GM of the Future, sponsored by The Master Innholders.

After several hours of discussion and debate, the shortlist for Independent Hotel of the Year was whittled down to a final eight from over 100 entries.

“It was an absolute pleasure and honour to judge the awards, albeit a challenging process! With an impressive number and standard of entries, whittling them down was enormously difficult – especially given the diversity of properties in the mix. From urban to rural, boutique to large, we saw the full spectrum of hospitality on display. Given the high quality of the entries received, those who have made the shortlist can feel very proud, knowing that, should they win, they’ll be a very worthy winner – with making the shortlist a significant achievement in itself.” Jane Pendlebury, awards judge and Chief Executive of HOSPA

The finalists are:

• Aviator, Farnborough
• Grove Of Narberth, Pembrokeshire
• Ness Walk, Inverness
• The Atlantic, Jersey
• The Cottage In The Wood, Malvern
• The Fish Hotel, Worcestershire
• The Grand, York
• The Headland, Newquay

“I’m delighted to have been a part of the judging panel for this year’s Independent Hotel Show Awards. The quality of nominations was outstanding, with entries from people and hotels at the top of their game and I think we have been able to select those who really embody the best of the best in the independent hotel industry.” Stuart Procter, COO at The Stafford Collection and winner of 2022’s Independent Hotelier of the Year Award

The Independent Hotel of the Year Award is now open to public industry vote, with the ultimate winner decided through a combination of judges ranking and the public vote and unveiled in an exclusive ceremony on day one of the Independent Hotel Show on 16 October.

The winner of GM of the Future, in partnership with The Master Innholders, will also be announced at the show.

The finalists are:

• Leanne Silavant, Front Office Manager, The Castle Hotel
• Daisy Turney, Operations Manager, The PIG-on the beach
• Niek de Rijcke, Guest Experience Coordinator, Dorchester Collection
• Jordan Hughes, Hotel Manager, Northcote Hotel Ltd
• Chiara Sorrentine, Operations Manager, Exclusive Hotels
• Chris Bancroft, Operations Manager, The Newt in Somerset
• Daniel Greenock, Restaurant Manager, Gleneagles

The winner will have the opportunity to undertake the prestigious Talent Development Programme at Cranfield University, Buckinghamshire, helping them to develop their skills as both a GM and as a business leader.

In addition, the winner will receive a complimentary ticket to the Hotel Leadership Conference in 2024.

Dan Rose-Bristow MI, Chair of the Master Innholders said: “A hotel is nothing without its general manager, yet having the skills and training to become one in our current climate is far from an easy task. Providing young talent with the opportunities to pursue their career goals, such as through the GM of the Future award, is just one of the many ways we aim to help support those within the industry.

“It has also been immensely encouraging and humbling to see so many people from across the sector apply and wanting to pursue a career as a general manager. Narrowing down the candidates was a challenging task, but we are confident that all the finalists are on a promising path to becoming successful hoteliers.”

 To learn more about everything on offer at Independent Hotel Show 2023, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, head to independenthotelshow.co.uk