Three of the hospitality industry’s most influential and successful leaders have agreed to be the keynote speakers at the 3rd British Association of Hospitality Accountants (BAHA) Annual Conference and Technology Exhibition to be held on 5 and 6 November 2008 at the brand new Sofitel London Heathrow at Terminal 5.

The keynote speakers are: Surinder Arora FIH, Chairman and Founder of Arora International Hotels; current British Hospitality Association (BHA) President Sir David Michels FIH who is also Deputy Chairman of Marks & Spencer and serves on the boards of British Land, RAB Capital, easyJet, The Jumeirah Hotel Group, and US-based Strategic Hotels & Resorts; and Paul Slattery, Co-founder and Director of Otus & Co, and Chairman of The International Hotel Investment Council.

“We are delighted to welcome three such distinguished industry figures to address our two-day 2008 BAHA Conference and IT Exhibition, entitled ‘Managing to Sustain Future Profitability’,” said Carl Weldon, Chief Executive of BAHA. “Delegates will be able to benefit from their vast array of experience and expertise.

“Surinder Arora and Paul Slattery will be addressing the conference on the opening morning – Wednesday 5 November; and Sir David Michels, formerly Group Chief Executive of Hilton International and prior to that Chief Executive of Stakis, will be getting the second day of the conference off to a flying start.”

The conference themes will include:

• industry review and prospects for 2009
• the employment of yield management/room management tools to maintain profitability
• the future for the paperless office
• the credit crunch – long-term impact on founding for the industry?
• environmental responsibility versus profit sustainability – cost and benefit
• educational workshops on topics including: accounting technical matters, the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry, strategic use of IT and benchmarking performance

BAHA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition is also noted for its social and networking aspects. On the evening of the opening day – Wednesday, 5 November – there will be a drinks reception, followed by a three-course conference dinner with guest speaker and entertainment.