Innholder Scholars Autumn Meeting 2025
Last week, the Innholder Scholars Autumn Meeting brought together attendees for a day of invaluable discussions on Evolving Influence, the future of hospitality and the global economy at the stunning Nobu Hotel London Portman Square.
Following a warm welcome and introduction from Grant Campbell MI IS, Chair of the Innholder Scholars, Ryan Bains, STR Account Director, opened the session with an insightful update on the current hotel market landscape. Noting that regional booking windows have shortened to an average of just three weeks, reflecting a growing preference for spontaneous travel, while domestic tourism continues to thrive through the interest in UK staycations.
Ryan also noted the powerful impact of major events, such as the highly anticipated Coldplay and Oasis concerts, which drove significant demand spikes and rate premiums. Remarkably, Hull even outperformed international destinations including Abu Dhabi and Las Vegas during these peak periods, emphasising the strong influence of event-led travel within the market.
Peter Heath, founder of Venue Performance, then joined Ryan on stage for a live Q&A session, delving into venue performance across today’s meetings and events landscape. Their discussion revealed that, although the total number of events has slightly decreased, UK venues are seeing stronger revenues and improved yields, driven by rising delegate demand and a growing emphasis on quality over quantity.
After a short pause for networking, Kate Nicholls OBE MI, Chair of UKHospitality, took to the stage to deliver a timely update on how recent political developments are shaping the hospitality sector. Kate outlined the associations ongoing actions, offering valuable reassurance and perspective for attendees as they look ahead to the industry’s future.
Returning from a delicious lunch break provided by the team at Nobu, Aymen Fetouak MIH, Head of Professional Development at the Institute of Hospitality, delivered an insightful update on the Institute of Hospitality, before Professor Joe Nellis, CBE shared a compelling analysis of the global economy and its impact on hospitality.
“We’re living in a VUCA world, defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. The key risks are global economic fragility, geopolitical tensions and social instability as populations shift.”
As AI continues to rise, Joe highlighted both the risks and opportunities ahead:
“With the significant rise in AI, there is an opportunity for the hospitality industry to become a magnet for those at risk of losing their jobs, because we can’t offer hospitality without people.”
Mary Jane Flanagan MBPsS Fitol, Founder of mjinspire ltd, followed up, leading an engaging and interactive session focusing on influence within the workplace. Encouraging audience participation throughout, MJ shared practical strategies for effectively communicating with Heads of Department, stakeholders, and colleagues. Attendees gained valuable insights into enhancing leadership and communication skills, discovering top tips for running impactful meetings and understanding what makes their teams tick.
To close the day, Mark Calver, Commercial Director of Hatch Mansfield, hosted a Compass Tasting Experience, featuring four distinct varieties of Chardonnay. Attendees were invited to deepen their understanding of wine tasting, while Mark highlighted the importance of applying their knowledge gained to enhance guest experiences.
On concluding the Innholder Scholars Autumn Meeting at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, Chair Grant Campbell MI IS extended his sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the event. From the outstanding speakers sharing their expertise and insights, to host Peter Hancock, and the event’s industry supporters: Act-Clean, Hartstone Rochette, Hatch Mansfield, Champagne Tattinger and Nespresso UK. The day offered a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, with attendees leaving equipped with valuable insights to navigate the evolving landscape of the hospitality sector and inspired to apply new learnings.