Hotel Forum: How to build a resilient business

Cobra committee member Bernard Donoghue will be among the high-profile speakers addressing how best to deal with disasters at next month's Hotel Forum.

Donoghue (pictured), who is also a mayoral advisor, will explain how a crisis can unfold and what hospitality businesses can do when faced with the unexpected at the conference, which takes place at the Park Plaza Westminster on 29 November.

He will address what happens in government circles when a crisis occurs, the effect that terrorism and security concerns had on visitor attractions this summer, and provide his top five tips for communications in a crisis.

Meanwhile, a panel of operators will discuss the unforeseen business challenges they have encountered and how they dealt with them. It will include Andrew Brownsword Hotels' John Badley, who was called into action when fire ripped through one of England's oldest hotels, the 53-bedroom Royal Clarence hotel in Exeter, and Manchester's Lowry hotel general manager Adrian Ellis, who will explore the impact of the terrorist attack in the city.

Manchester United and England footballer turned hotel developer Gary Neville is to headline the Hotel Forum, sharing his experience of launching Hotel Football and the challenges he is currently facing in developing two city centre hotels in Manchester.

The Caterer hotels editor Janet Harmer said: "This one-day event will focus on how hoteliers can manage crisis situations to remain robust and profitable.

"With a theme of resilience running throughout the day, the conference will address the challenge of Brexit and an increasingly unpredictable economy, as well as featuring inspirational operators willing to share their tips for surviving and thriving.

"It is a must-attend event for any hotel manager or aspiring hotel manager keen to develop their business and their own skill set."

The Hotel Forum will take at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London on 29 November. To book tickets, visit the Hotel Forum website.

Andrew Brownsword describes devastating loss of Royal Clarence hotel >>

Plans revealed for rebuilding of Royal Clarence hotel facade >>

Gary Neville heads panel of speakers at Hotel Forum >>

Videos from The Caterer archives

Are you looking for a new role? See all the current hospitality vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs