The Annual Hotel Conference (AHC) has provided a first glance at its 2020 programme, which has adopted a new theme of ‘Solidarity with Hospitality’ in light of the coronavirus impact on the hospitality industry.

Moving away from Hilton Manchester Deansgate to take place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex from 21-22 September, the two-day event will adhere to its predecessors in terms of format and creativity, but will also address the areas fundamental to recovery, with conference content rooted in delivering practical knowledge that delegates can take back to their hospitality businesses and implement.

Aside from its usual speed networking and roundtables, the programme includes sessions on understanding the impact of Covid-19; identifying the opportunities that lockdown has brought to independent hoteliers; and looking back in hindsight at the lessons learned from the biggest crisis of the century so far.

Meanwhile, day two of the conference will focus on re-thinking investment and funding in the post-pandemic market; how hoteliers can compete for a bigger slice of a smaller piece post-crisis; and what the hotel industry may look like when the dust finally settles. The full programme can be viewed here.

The AHC are also making adjustments to significantly reduce the cost of attending for hoteliers to ensure they can come together with the rest of the UK hospitality community to learn, network and be inspired.

Take a look at last year’s conference highlights below.