Northern Summit 2026

Hospitality has once-again been at the very top of the political and media agenda, following high-profile UKHospitality campaigns ahead of the Budget and in response to business rates changes.

Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, opens the conference by giving her insight on the challenges
facing the sector, how we engage with national and local government, and what we can learn from
hospitality-led regeneration.

Kate Nicholls, Chair, UKHospitality

Who is staying where, for how long and for how much? With the accommodation landscape changing significantly over the past five years, it’s never been more important to understand what consumers are thinking about where they stay and what is driving their decision making.

Leading accommodation data experts STR update us on what the latest trends are.

Ryandeep Bains, Account Director, STR

Our traditional view of nightlife was upended by the pandemic, when clubs were the first to shut and last to open, and has necessitated a fundamental shift in how the nighttime economy operates. Are nightclubs a thing of the past? What does Gen Z and Gen Alpha want from their clubs and bars?

Tokyo Industries is one of the UK’s biggest nightlife operators and an influential voice to give their take on the nighttime economy in 2026.

In this session, hospitality technology experts Sona unpacks what true AI really means for hospitality, beyond the buzzwords and headlines. They will explore where AI is already creating impact, such as through customer service chatbots, personalised recommendations and dynamic menu pricing.

It will also uncover why the future belongs to operators who embrace the new and incoming, true ‘agentic’ AI – to help better-engaged teams to drive revenue performance, profitability and guest happiness.

Politics at an international, national and local level are all impacting how hospitality businesses are
running their day-to-day operations. From tariffs and energy prices, to business rates and transport
infrastructure – they're all having a practical impact.

We're joined by a senior politician to share how they work with hospitality, what plans they have to
back the sector and what lessons we can learn five years of unprecedented change.

Hospitality is at the heart of our high streets, as drivers of local economies, local jobs and supporting our local communities. How are leading businesses continuing that tradition during a time of unprecedented cost and challenge? We hear from a panel of operators to share what opportunities they see for growth, how they’re driving the customer experience and keeping the high street relevant.

Amber Wood, Chief Executive Officer, New World Trading Company; Matt Townley, Group Operations Director, Dakota Hotels

The last decade has seen one of the biggest expansions of devolved politics, with the introduction of numerous regional and metro mayors. Often with control over essential local services, like transport, and critical funding powers, mayors can make a significant difference to businesses operating in the community they serve.

We’re joined by David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, to hear his perspective on how his role can make a positive difference for hospitality and the places they represent.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, in conversation with Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality

Our teams are pivotal to the hospitality experience. Without fantastic people working across the sector, the experiences we are world-renowned for simply wouldn’t be possible. Maintaining that talent pipeline is essential to a bright future for hospitality. Is that through traditional education, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, or all of the above? Leading education providers and chefs join us to debate that topic.

Paul Askew, Chef Patron and Owner, The Art School Restaurant

The requirements on operators in the employment space have never been greater, and continue to grow. The Employment Rights Act will bring sweeping changes to employment law, we’re 18 months into new tipping requirements and wage rates continue to increase.

Moore Kingston Smith are recruitment and employment specialists, and are here to update operators on what they need to know to prepare.

Peter Davies, Partner, Moore Kingston Smith

The Oasis reunion, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow. We’re in a golden period for huge events across music, entertainment and sport driving significant footfall.

How can hospitality, leisure and tourism capitalise on the exposure and attention these events are giving the towns and cities that host them? We’re joined by the businesses, including Guy Dunstan, CEO of Co-op Live, that play a critical role in this ecosystem to share their insight.

Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live