Keynote speaker announced for HBAA Forum

This year the Forum will focus on maximising opportunities and performance in economic adversity.  Sessions will also address industry issues including: maximising online presence in the advent of social networking and measurement of ROI. 2009’s forum will look at: ‘RIP the RFP’  with Ian Leat, Marriott Hotels, Denise Macdonald, IHG, Julian Laxon, Pro-ven and Trevor Elswood from BSI debating whether RFPs are a waste of time. The session “View from the top” will have a panel of industry luminaries including; Nick Foot - Chairman Hotel Scene, Charles Prew - Chief Executive Barceló, Bob Gilbert - Senior Vice President HelmsBriscoe International, and Alistair Stewart - Managing Director at etc venues, all of whom will be answering delegates’ questions on the important issues regarding their business. Widely recognised as a landmark event in the hospitality and meetings industry sectors, the HBAA Forum draws figureheads from agencies, venues and hotels both within the UK and internationally. The Forum provides an opportunity for HBAA members (agents) and partners (hotels and venues) to discuss, debate and define industry trends and best practice. Taking place at the Barceló Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire, the HBAA Forum will also be the backdrop for the association’s annual awards.  The HBAA Awards reward professionals who have excelled in their field and help to provide a benchmark for best practice among the booking agents, hotels and venues.  Four categories are presented: Training & Development; Promoting Excellence within the Industry; Commitment within the Community; and Best Environmental Practice. Peter Ducker, HBAA Executive Director, said: “We always strive to make the content of the Forum interesting, relevant and valuable.  This year we are keenly aware of our responsibility that delegates time away from their businesses is universally regarded as time well spent.  We regard it as a supreme vote of confidence that in these challenging times we will welcome a record 300 delegates”.


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About HBAA: • The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) was formed in 1997 and now consists of more than 75 agent members and 200 Hotel Charter Partners. The association has an annual buying power in excess of £2.1bn. • Member agents are specialists in making hotel accommodation, conference and event reservations as their core business. • Charter Partners are comprised of the leading hotel chains, training centres and independent hotels and venues. • The HBAA comprises a committee of 12 industry figureheads who oversee separate committees including: technology, partnerships, memberships, marketing & PR, events and education. • www.hbaa.org.uk

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