‘New Approaches to a Bright Future?’ is to be the title of one of the most prestigious and eagerly awaited events in the UK hospitality industry calendar – ‘HOSPACE 2011’, the new name from 19 September 2011 for the 6th Annual BAHA Hospitality Finance, Revenue Management and IT Professionals Conference and IT Exhibition. The event is to be held on Thursday, 24 November 2011 at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5.

Last month, BAHA (the British Association of Hospitality Accountants) announced that it is officially to change its name to ‘HOSPA’ (Hospitality Professionals Association) in September 2011 to more accurately reflect the Association’s rapidly growing membership (approaching 1,000 members) and their professionalism within the hospitality industry. ‘HOSPA’ will be accompanied by a flexible strap-line that will define its membership – currently representing the three communities of Finance, Revenue Management and IT – and is being designed so it can accommodate any future changes in finance and other commercially related roles within the hospitality industry. In line with the new name BAHA members have also voted overwhelmingly to change, from September 2011, the name of its highly successful Annual BAHA Conference and IT Exhibition to ‘HOSPACE’ which in effect is HOSPA with CE (Conference and Exhibition). Until the official launch on 19 September, the Association will however remain known primarily as BAHA.

HOSPACE 2011 is the 6th Annual Conference and IT Exhibition of BAHA (to be known as HOSPA from 19 September 2011) – the UK’s leading educational organisation for professionals involved in financial management, revenue management and IT within the hospitality industry. As in previous years, this highly prestigious event will enable UK and international delegates to get an informed and cutting-edge view from an international line-up of inspirational experts – all icons in their own field – about the latest key financial, revenue and IT management issues and developments; as well as the commercial aspects that connect these together to maximise profitability.

Commenting on HOSPACE 2011, BAHA Chief Executive Carl Weldon said: “HOSPACE is a complementary yet separate brand identity to HOSPA; and further reflects an exciting new era of growth for BAHA. The target audience will be directors, managers and professionals in Finance, Revenue Management and IT, as well as general managers – together with owners, investors, lenders and hotel industry advisers. The thought-provoking and informative one-day HOSPACE 2011 programme will feature a range of highly topical subjects focusing on exciting opportunities for the hospitality industry over the short, medium and longer term.

“Judging by the ever growing success of our last two Annual Conferences and IT Exhibitions, we anticipate that another record number of delegates will listen to high profile speakers; debate with expert panels; and learn from an extensive selection of educational workshops, whilst networking with fellow industry professionals and benefiting from a wide range of hospitality IT exhibitors.”

Conference topics to be covered include the steady revival of investment in the hotel sector – with new room stock becoming available in 2011/12; the challenges of revenue management systems and techniques integrating with Social Media; and the call for ‘integrated reporting’ focusing on sustainability and provenance, as well as financial results.

The speakers will be announced shortly and will include leading international hotel chief executives; and recognised experts in finance and accounting, revenue management and IT – all discussing the latest issues impacting on the hospitality industry and how to drive industry commercial profitability and efficiency with new concepts and business models.

In addition, following on from their success at previous years’ BAHA Annual Conference, there will be a programme of industry specific educational workshops – all led by top specialists in their subjects. Details of these will also be revealed shortly.

As in past years, the Annual Conference will be supported by a growing and increasingly influential exhibition of IT suppliers – providing delegates with a ‘one stop shop’ to view and interact with the latest and ‘best in class’ technologies – covering all eventualities for hospitality businesses, whether they be start-up, established independent, or multi chain-owned, operations.

In short, HOSPACE 2011 (the BAHA Conference and IT Exhibition) promises to be invaluable for networking, professional updating – through expert presentations, panel forums and educational workshops – and experiencing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

The event’s grand finale Gala Dinner – including the signature ‘Pub Quiz’ – is one of the traditional social networking highlights of the BAHA Conference.