What do tourism leaders Tracey Crouch, Boris Johnson and Jonathan Bell have in common?

“Hospitality and tourism is growing at a phenomenal pace in the UK and across the world,” said Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive for the British Hospitality Association (BHA), commenting on an announcement made today that included three UK tourism leaders.

The BHA announced today that Tracey Crouch, Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage; Boris Johnson MP, Mayor of London; and Jonathan Bell, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland, are confirmed as keynote speakers at the 2015 Hospitality & Tourism Summit being held at the Novotel London West on Tuesday, June 30. The BHA’s fourth summit will bring together an audience of business leaders, politicians and advisers to debate and discuss how the industry and government can respond to an increasingly competitive global economic landscape to nurture the success of the UK through the potential of hospitality and tourism.

“Our mission is to grow the size of the prize for the UK hospitality and tourism industry – more visitors, more investment and more careers. Now more than ever we seek to secure the commitment of government, influencers and the community to help us win on key issues for the industry. We have proof that this works – with strength in numbers we achieved a major breakthrough on improved visa access for Chinese tourists. We remain focused on delivering progress on price competitiveness (VAT), digital competitiveness, obtuse planning regulations, skills shortages and employment legislation,” Ibrahim added.

The summit offers an engaging and diverse agenda exploring economics, finance, food policy, digital commerce, talent and leadership with prominent speakers from within the industry and external stakeholders such as the European Commission, Food Standards Agency, Welsh Government, Northern Ireland Government, PwC, Barclays, Nestlé Professional, Sky, Expedia, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, TripAdvisor, Google and Discover Financial Services.

THE ECONOMIC CONTEST

Hospitality and tourism is an economic contest between nations fueled by competition but also requiring collaboration to achieve success for businesses and destinations alike. The role and decisions of key influencers, in particular governments, will be examined to see how more can be done to nurture instead of hamper economic growth. Following an address from Jumeirah Group President and Group CEO Gerald Lawless to set the scene, Karen Friebe, real estate partner at law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner, will moderate a panel including Travelodge CEO Peter Gowers, European Commission Head of Tourism Pedro Ortun, SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie, Faith Taylor SVP Global Corporate Social Responsibility for Wyndham Worldwide and The Travel Corporation CEO Brett Tollman.

CAPITAL FLOWS

Growth, stability and innovation across the industry requires backing and investment from the financial services sector. Following an address from PwC Senior Economic Adviser Andrew Sentance to deliver insights into current economic trends, Jonathan Hubbard, Head of Investor Services EMEA at property advisory firm JLL, will moderate a panel including Starwood Capital Senior VP of Acquisitions Cody Bradshaw, KSL Capital Partners Principal Coley J. Brenan, Lone Star Europe MD James Riddell, Barclays Head of Hospitality and Leisure Mike Saul, Bharat Hotels Chairperson and MD Jyotsna Suri and SACO CEO Max Thorne.

REINVENTING HOSPITALITY AND SERVICE

Food policy across EU, national and local levels, is increasingly affecting the characteristics of our industry especially as debate grows on health and nutrition issues. As we grow closer to a referendum on remaining or staying in the EU, pros and cons concerning policy and regulation require closer scrutiny. Alastair Storey, Chairman and CEO at food and service management company WSH, will moderate a panel including Food Standards Agency Director of Regulatory and Legal Strategy Rod Ainsworth, FoodServiceEurope Chairman Norbert Hummel, D&D London MD and The Restaurant Association Chairman David Loewi and Nestlé Professional UK and Ireland MD George Vezza.

CHANGING THE GAME – CUSTOMERS, TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS?

There are many forces that have disrupted the status quo within the industry and started a race to innovation over recent years. What are the leading factors driving change in how we attract and engage to convert consumers into customers? Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chairman of VisitBritain will moderate a panel including Welsh Government Director for Tourism, Sport and Heritage Manon Antoniazzi, Sky Business Deputy MD Alison Dolan, TripAdvisor Director of Industry Relations Helena Egan, Head of International Merchant Marketing, Discover Financial Services Kellie Glueck, Expedia Senior Director of Market Management Isabelle Pinson and Google UK Head of Hospitality Terri Scriven.

POWER OF ATTRACTION AND INSPIRATION

The future success and growth of the industry can only be sustained with a pipeline of skilled talent who can eventually lead UK plc. Sport, business, education and government all have roles to play in inspiring and attracting the minds that will help define the direction for the next generation. John Forrest, COO at Premier Inn and Chairman of the BHA’s Big Hospitality Conversation, will moderate a panel including Hilton Worldwide Area Vice President and Hospitality Guild Chairman Stephen Cassidy, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation CEO Grant Cornwell MBE, National Grid CEO and Business in the Community Vice Chairman Steve Holliday and Business in the Community CEO Stephen Howard.

LEADERSHIP THROUGH UNCERTAINTY

Findings will be revealed from a joint report between the BHA and leadership consultants Heidrick & Struggles capturing the views of 42 UK-based hospitality CEOs and leaders from companies representing £35 billion in sales and over 900,000 employees. Ben Twynam, Head of Practice UK, Travel, Leisure & Hospitality at Hedrick & Struggles, will moderate a panel including Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants MD Paul Flaum, Pizza Hut CEO Jens Hofma and Elior UK CEO Catherine Roe.