We’re thrilled to announce the return of The Art of Hospitality on June 12th, hosted at the elegant DoubleTree by Hilton in the heart of Liverpool city centre, just a three-minute walk from Moorfield’s train station and right by Victoria Street car park.
Now in its fifth edition, this event has quickly become a must-attend for anyone working in, studying, or passionate about hospitality.
This is not just another conference, it’s a day full of connection, inspiration, and powerful conversation.
Whether you’re an industry professional, a student, an entrepreneur, or someone exploring a future in hospitality, this event is designed for you.
It’s a space to gain insight, ask questions, meet new people, and leave feeling recharged and reconnected with the purpose behind what we do.
I’ll be opening the day myself with a session close to my heart, “Save Hospitality, So Hospitality Can Save Us.”
I’ll be sharing some thoughts on the challenges we’re facing, but more importantly, the opportunities we still have if we work together.
Because I truly believe hospitality has the power to change lives.
We will then welcome Keynote speaker Sam Squire, founder of Inspire2Ignite, a charity focused on empowering young people through entrepreneurial events and experiences.
He will bring his trademark energy and real-world wisdom to the stage, sharing stories that will challenge how we think about opportunity, youth engagement, and future talent in our industry.
One of the highlights of the day will no doubt be The Great Hospitality Debate.
A question-time-style discussion that gets right to the heart of how young people see hospitality.
This open-audience panel invites raw and real perspectives on how hospitality is viewed by young people and how we can change that narrative.
With voices like Ali Wheeler from We Mind the Gap, academic input from Dr Burcu Kaya Sayari (John Moores University), and student contributions from the University of Chester and Liverpool City College, expect frank conversation, bold ideas, and maybe a few surprises.
After a buzzing lunch break packed with networking, we turn the focus to wellbeing with Saeed Olayiwola from SO Health.
Having worked with Liverpool FC Foundation and Alder Hey Children’s Charity, Saeed offers practical and powerful strategies to help individuals and teams in high-pressure sectors like ours thrive.
Then comes a behind-the-scenes look at one of Liverpool’s most exciting new arrivals, Box Park.
General Manager Joel Lee will be joining us to share the journey of launching the first ever Box Park outside of London, right here in the heart of Liverpool.
This is a huge moment for our city. Box Park is a major player on the London hospitality scene, known for transforming spaces into buzzing food, drink, and culture hubs, and the fact they’ve chosen Liverpool as their first expansion location speaks volumes.
Joel will walk us through what it took to bring this concept to life, the early wins, the lessons learned, and what it means for the future of hospitality and regeneration in the city.
To wrap up, we’re tackling one of the most talked-about changes in Liverpool’s hospitality and tourism scene right now, the newly introduced £2+VAT accommodation levy.
Some see it as a necessary step, an innovative way to reinvest directly into Liverpool’s visitor economy, supporting events, marketing, and business growth.
Others worry it could deter overnight guests or place extra pressure on accommodation providers.
Wherever you stand, this panel is your chance to hear directly from those involved in shaping and implementing the levy.
We’ll be joined by Donna Howitt, Director of Place Strategy at Liverpool ONE, and Janet Nuzum, Sector Manager for the Visitor Economy at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Together, they’ll break down what the levy is, how it will be used, and, most importantly, what it means for the future of tourism in Liverpool. This is a conversation the whole sector needs to be part of, and we’re proud to be offering a platform for it.
But beyond the speakers and panels, it’s the people that make The Art of Hospitality what it is.
The networking is second to none, genuine conversations, shared ideas, new partnerships, and the kind of unexpected connections that only happen when the right crowd is in the room.
If you’ve been before, you know. If you haven’t, this is the one to come to.
Tickets are free, don’t miss out, come and be part of something bigger. Let’s shape the future of hospitality together.
If you’d like to join us for this unmissable day of insight, connection, and conversation, grab your free ticket here and be part of the future of hospitality.
