““Wild horses could not keep me away from the Independent Hotel Show this year, it’s one of the most informative events our industry has to offer. Wise hoteliers from all over the UK will be there to learn from their peers and from other industry experts in a stylish and pleasant setting. What’s not to like?” ”

— Peter Hancock MI, Pride of Britain Hotels

Independent Hotel Show presented by James Hallam, is set to reunite the boutique hotel industry when it returns to Olympia London on 4-5 October.

The UK’s leading event created specifically with independent hoteliers in mind will once again present a wide range of unique and diverse exhibitors, insightful thought leadership and unparalleled opportunities for networking and making valuable new industry connections.

The event will be showcasing over 300 innovative brands, hand-picked to suit the luxury and boutique hotel market, from high end design & décor products to the latest hospitality tech and guest experience services. Visitors interested in exploring the forefront of innovation in the hotel sector should head to The Concept Lab, which supports up-and-coming businesses offering truly visionary products and services.

The Innovation Stage

Returning for 2021, the Innovation Stage, in partnership with eviivo, dressed by sofa.com, and featuring art by Aster Muro, will host influential industry leaders to discuss the most pressing issues, challenges and opportunities facing the independent hotel community.

A highlight of the stage content will be ‘The Membership Model: Creating a Lifestyle Brand, in partnership with SPACE’, taking place on Monday 4 October. This session will examine what it takes to drive return consumer visits and brand loyalty, with insights from industry-leading hoteliers and respected hotel brands including Gareth Banner, Managing Director of The Ned, Rafi Bejerano, Director at Sopwell House and Edward Workman, CEO of The Newt in Somerset.

Another highly anticipated session is ‘The Future of Hospitality’, where Institute of Hospitality CEO Robert Richardson FIH will be hosting a state-of-the-nation discussion reflecting on the impact of Covid-19 on the UK’s independent hotels, evaluating the current challenges faced by the sector and looking at how we can safeguard the industry for the future.

Robert will be joined by Sally Beck, General Manager of Royal Lancaster London, Kathy Dyball, Brand Director at Caterer.com, Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, Julia Sibley MBE, Chief Executive of The Savoy Educational Trust and David Taylor MI FIH, COO, Lore Group in this not-to-be-missed debate.

On the afternoon of Day One of the show (4 October), the Innovation Stage will also play host to the Independent Hotel Show Awards, where the winners of the Independent Hotelier and GM of the Future, in partnership with The Master Innholders, awards will be announced. This year the show is also proud to be partnering with The Good Hotel Guide to celebrate the winners of the 2021 César Awards and the winner of The Good Hotel Guide Editor’s Choice Award.

The Social Business Space

Another popular returning feature for this year’s event is the Social Business Space, designed by Aorta, which will be hosting intimate, roundtable discussions for hoteliers. Designed to be a relaxed environment where knowledge can be gained and shared, these tailored campfire-esque sessions provide a unique mix of presentation and problem-solving for independent hoteliers.

The limited capacity sessions, which can be pre-booked via the Independent Hotel Show website, will be covering a wide range of topics highly relevant to the show’s core visitor audience, including a Marketing 101 deep-dive, a free, frank and off-the-record discussion around the obstacles facing city-based hotels, a look at the industry’s recruitment and retention challenges and how to secure long-term benefits and return business from the UK’s staycation boom.

The Social Business Space will be brought to life by design partner Aorta, headed up by Managing Director Frida Rush, who will be interrogating the idea of our relationship to the passage of time, which has been felt more keenly than ever over the past 18 months.

Frida commented: “Covid-19 has forced us to stop and acknowledge time. Some wasted it, others enjoyed the break in routine that lockdown afforded, many continued to work through it, and a few even prospered in these extraordinary times.

“I am exploring the impact of time on construction materials, the ageing process, and the art of patience in design using salvaged architectural materials, bespoke furniture and unique interior finishes.”

The Tech Solutions Bar

A new addition for this year’s event is the Tech Solutions Bar, presented by HOSPA, which will provide guests with objective and confidential advice and consultancy from independent industry tech experts. The world of hospitality technology can often seem confusing, with a wide range of products and services on offer, and The Tech Solutions Bar can help cut through the noise and provide guidance on what will truly improve your business and customer experience.

Hospitality tech is a keen area of interest for many visitors to the Independent Hotel Show, and this year’s event will have a range of tools and services designed to streamline processes and improve customer experience, covering everything from PoS products to marketing platforms to data gathering and customer insight tools.

Exhibitor sneak peek

ARRAN Sense of Scotland. Stand 1562.

Suppliers of luxury hotel toiletries, amenities and home scents all inspired by its namesake, the beautiful Scottish island of Arran. ARRAN Sense of Scotland believe it takes a combination of excellent service, beautiful rooms, comfortable surroundings and a touch of something extra special to provide a truly memorable guest experience.

BC Softwear. Stand 1314.

BC Softwear are the UK’s leading independent textile supplier for bathrobes, towels and spa linen for hotels and spas. Supplying supreme quality and eco-friendly towels, robes and footwear direct to laundries in the UK and to 34 countries worldwide.

Richard Haworth. Stand 1740.

For over 140 years Richard Haworth has been a go-to high quality hotel linen specialist, with their products found in hotel establishments ranging from prestigious luxury London hotels to intimate country hotels.