The Great Art of Hospitality Conference 2026

The Art of Hospitality Conference was founded in November 2023, created with a clear mission to change the way people view the hospitality industry in the UK and save it, whilst engaging, collaborating and joining up our Industry Network.

The Great Art of Hospitality Conference will be the biggest and best conference yet!

See The Hospitality Hero and Downtown in Business collaborating on stage for the first time.

Whether you’re just starting out, looking to grow, or simply passionate about the future of hospitality, The Great Art of Hospitality Conference will offer inspiration, insight, and a sense of community.

This is more than a conference. It’s a movement, one that’s reshaping the narrative around hospitality and championing the people behind it.

Agenda

9:00am | Registration / Networking / Breakfast

10:00am | Welcome

10:10am | Beyond the Bar: The Role of Hospitality in City Placemaking
Speakers: Thom Hetherington (Landing Light), Abi Dunn (Sixty Eight People), Jamie Christon (Chester Zoo), Victoria Braddock (Marketing Manchester)

10:45am | The Story of the Lumberjaxe
Speakers: Brendon & Jaydon Manders (Lumberjaxe)

11:15am | Coffee Break

11:35am | The Political View
Speaker: Lisa Nandy MP

12:30pm | Lunch

1:30pm | Independent Spirit: The Power and Personality of Indie Hospitality and Scaling Up
Speakers: Matt Farrell (GSG Hospitality), Tomás Maunier (Fazenda), Steven Hesketh (Savvy Hotels)

2:15pm | The Power of Sport, Culture and Creativity in Driving Visitor Economies
Speakers: Louise Stewart (Chester Racecourse)

3:00pm | Closing Remarks