The word ‘conference’ rarely conjures up anything dynamic, innovative or even exciting. So when we say the Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel Summit is no ordinary conference, you know we mean it.
The Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel Summit, taking place 12th-13th May at the Montcalm Hotel, is a conference without being a conference, one that manages to pull a hip audience whilst nodding its head at the past too. That’s a tough thing to do. This year’s line up is no exception. Stephen Brandman from Sixty Hotels (formerly Thompson Hotels), Ilse Crawford of Studioilsa and Iain Ainsworth of White Line Hotels are all in the house. And most crucially, they’re all fun.
Sixty Hotels are one of the more cutting edge boutique hotel groups going at the moment. The original pioneers of the Thompson Hotels brand, they have re-addressed the narrative and come back with a solid, well thought out brand story. Mr Brandman is always a pleasure to watch speak and sat on the panel of Meet the Owners, you’re guaranteed a good time.
Ilse Crawford first captured our imagination when, all those years ago, we set foot into High Road House, one of the initial bedroom endeavours from Soho House. That shaker style delivered a beautifully appointed room that has everything you need, and nothing you don’t, we recommend the Playroom. Ilse will be on the panel for Beyond Boutique, addressing what’s new and next in the industry in terms of design and delivery.
Joining Ilse on the same panel is Iain Ainsworth, an industry veteran who knows the design lead market intimately. In part because he was Senior VP of Sales & Communications at Design Hotels, having left in 2009 to set up the achingly hip White Line Hotels. Today White Line Hotels is a stylish community of some 50+ select independent hotels, bolt-holes & chalets.
Other panels include insightful topics such as GM – setting the pace, the F&B conundrum and a compelling case study on Ace Hotel, Shoreditch by Universal Design Studio.
The hotel conference is a unique animal, it is an opportunity to witness thought leaders, ignore old colleagues, make new friends and of course have a drink with Piers.
The Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel Summit always put on a great show that delivers thought provoking, current and easily digestible content that is suited to the boutique hoteliers of today’s market place.
