hospitality summit

BHA Summit 2015

Last week I found  myself rubbing shoulders with the movers and shakers of the hospitality industry at the British Hospitality Association's Summit.

Some people might find events like this a bit on the dull side, and to be fair they are unlikely to offer an opportunity for portfolio-shots, but ever open to learning, I find listening to experts in any area quite interesting.

There were many impressive speakers including Ufi Ibrahim, the BHA chair, and Peter Gowers, Chief Executive of Travelodge UK - he spoke a lot of sense.

Some of it jarred a little, such as the 'need' for another runway, somewhere in the Capital. Hmm. Some current problems within tourism were divulged , such as how to entice more Chinese visitors to the UK. There seems to be a strategy for everything!

Bigging up the UK, and stealing the show was Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Love him or loathe him, he draws in a crowd.

Ufi IbrahimChief Executive, British Hospitality Association

Ufi Ibrahim

Chief Executive, British Hospitality Association

Boris JohnsonMayor of London

Boris Johnson

Mayor of London

Apprentices to the industry with Thomas Dubaere, MD UK & Ireland, Accor Hotels

Apprentices to the industry with Thomas Dubaere, MD UK & Ireland, Accor Hotels

ITN Productions were there filming the event. I managed to get into the interview room, and annoy one of the camera-men for firing a couple of shots: sometimes you just have to do it!

ITN Productions were there filming the event. I managed to get into the interview room, and annoy one of the camera-men for firing a couple of shots: sometimes you just have to do it!

Two Army reservists along with Boris Johnson. Their regiment is the only catering corps in the Army reserves.

Two Army reservists along with Boris Johnson. Their regiment is the only catering corps in the Army reserves.