'Hospitality Hero' set to host the Art of Hospitality event for North West hospitality professionals

Renowned hospitality expert, Steven Hesketh, from Chester, known as ’the Hospitality Hero’, is set to host the next the Art Of Hospitality event on Tuesday 11th June 2024 at the Hilton, Liverpool, bringing peers, operators and leaders from across the industry together to explore and discuss how to overcome some of the biggest challenges the sector is currently facing.

 

Hesketh, who leads with a message that ‘no-one is coming to save us - we have to do this for ourselves’  is encouraging peers from across the North West who work in the hospitality profession, to unite in collaboration, in a bid to unite, inspire, motivate and educate, in an event that will share insights and meaningful discussions on the future of hospitality, with people place and perception in mind.

 

Running from 10am to 3pm, the event promises to delve deep into the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, and what needs to be done to help it not just survive but thrive, featuring ‘raw and real talk’ across panel discussions and presentations, with networking opportunities also a-plenty.

 

A unique element of this event is the presence of a ‘Youth Panel’, who will discuss a Young Person’s View on Hospitality and what we need to learn to attract and retain them, as intergenerational recruitment is considered and Steven encourages us to look to the future, to save hospitality by engaging the next generation.

 

Hesketh said: “One of the big problems we are facing as a profession is that young people are not attracted to working within hospitality - this is madness as it’s one of the best routes through which you can build a strong career path - but they have been put off by the outdated image of being overworked and underpaid and scenes of chefs swearing at everyone.

 

"This is not what a modern-day hospitality business looks like, and indeed alongside a bigger focus on wellbeing and work life balance the progressive operators are creating opportunities for young people that really suit their skills. For example, at my hotel we no longer have ‘front of house meet and greet staff’ – we have influencers – people who greet the guests, connect with them to ensure they have the best experience and encourage them to share their experiences with the world during their stay. This is a 21st century hospitality role -and when we speak in this language we can start to become relevant as a profession to young people looking to build careers they’ll love.”

Other experts and speakers joining Hesketh on the day include:

• Thom Hetherington – one of founders of Restaurant magazine and the 50 Best Restaurants in the World awards, who has latterly built a world class portfolio of hospitality events as owner of the NRB exhibition. Also founder of hospitality and culture consultancy, Landing Light, and Executive Chair at Easel Projects, which encompasses multiple art platforms including Manchester Art Fair and Manchester Contemporary Art Fund. He is a spokesperson in media globally and has been featured in the New Yorker, The Guardian, The Telegraph and Le Monde, as well as appearing on BBC 1 Breakfast news and BBC Radio 4.
• Joe Bickerton - Wrexham County Borough Council, destination manager in the Economic Development Department. Bickerton is responsible for the delivery of Wrexham County Borough’s Destination Management Plan, working in partnership with Visit Wales (Welsh Government) and the local private sector trade. 

Hetherington and Bickerton will discuss what is powering Manchester, and now also Wrexham on such a hospitality trajectory and conversations will also focus on the power of collaboration and BIDs and the impact this can have on placemaking.

• Jojo Smith – founder of CreativSAS, Brand and Vision Strategist, radio show host and best selling author. In just two years, CreativSAS has become a six-figure business and Jojo a finalist for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. She has been featured in OK Magazine and featured in the national press as a brand ambassador for major brands. Smith has supported nearly 100 entrepreneurs through her transformative work and will be discussing brand and personality.

As the chair of the Chester Hospitality Association, vice-chair of Liverpool Hospitality Association, and a committee member for UK Hospitality (Northern Region), Hesketh has been a pivotal figure in the hospitality sector for over three decades. Through ’the Hospitality Hero’ platform, he aims to unite professionals from across the industry and beyond, fostering collaboration and learning in an ever-evolving trade.

 

The inaugural event in 2023 saw over 100 people come together to unite and provided a platform for thought-provoking conversations on the essence of hospitality and its transformative potential. With a diverse range of topics covered, including the importance of; inclusivity, team building and customer-centric service, the conference left attendees inspired and equipped with valuable insights to enhance their professional endeavours in the hospitality industry.

 

Hesketh said: "I’m thrilled to bring together another exciting event focused on the Art of Hospitality. The last event created such a buzz and sense of camaraderie, that I knew I had to do it again. This conference will offer valuable insights and actionable strategies to help businesses thrive in today’s ever-changing landscape - and I know it will help anyone working in the industry to feel more positive about the future we can create together."

 

With a focus on collaboration and innovation, the Art of Hospitality Summer Conference aims to inspire and empower hospitality professionals to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.

Here are 5 top takeaways from the last event from the experts who explored mastering the ‘Art of Hospitality’:

 

1. Remember we are all human and start from there. Hospitality and humanity are the same thing. Focus on how to make people feel something, on how to show people they are valued and connect, really connect, with people (Steven Hesketh, the Hospitality Hero)
2. Build the best teams - teams of people who LOVE to deliver exciting moments to create that WOW factor for your customers (Jamie Wray)
3. We have to get it wrong to get it right. Don’t be scared to go there. Inclusion training is just as important as food hygiene to make the hospitality industry hospitable to all. (Alex Jay Lynam, Beyond the Binary)
4. Remove the noise and get back to the good old values of genuinely listening to people - this is how you can truly connect, excite and delight (Steven Hesketh, the Hospitality Hero)
5. Invest in your team and their development. Help people to grow and excel, so they can deliver true excellence - it has to be a team effort (Steven Hesketh, the Hospitality Hero)

Enjoy a £5 off with discount code ’Caterer’ – book your tickets here