The Annual Hotel Conference

General information

From its beginnings in a small, invitation-only gathering targeted at the regional individual and small-chain hotel owner and operator, The Annual Hotel Conference (The AHC) has grown over its 14 year lifetime into one of the UK’s largest hotel industry events outside London. Conceived by Chris Eddlestone, now head of hospitality and leisure at Squires, Sanders, in conjunction with Jonathan Langston, the inaugural event brought together just 50 invited guests in a Manchester venue. The combination of high profile key note speaker, thought-provoking and informative presentations on the economy, the market and values and networking drinks meant that an invitation quickly became a sought-after commodity. In those early years the willingness of high profile key note speakers, including Kevin Roberts, Darren Campbell, Sir Rocco Forte, Andy Coslett, Sir David Michels and Robert Cook, endorsed the event’s value as a forum to engage with the industry outside the capital. Delegate numbers grew quickly and organisations such as the international hotel chains, banks, professional advisors, developers and investors keen to engage with the regional markets joined the ranks of delegates alongside the individual, boutique and consortium hotel owners. As The AHC’s popularity grew King Communications were appointed to project manage the event, developing its concept and broadening its appeal in a whole-day conference. Faithful to its roots, the event facilitates a meeting in which the regional hotelier can interact with big brand operators, financiers, government agencies, industry bodies and advisers to exchange knowledge, ideas and opportunities.