Tech, AI and networking event

Wednesday 11th November, 2026
15:00 - 19:30

Apex Grassmarket Hotel Edinburgh 31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH1 2HS

Why you should attend

Stay up to date with the latest technology and AI developments and what they could mean for hospitality businesses.
Hear from industry experts and hospitality businesses using technology in the real world, including what’s working and what to watch out for.
Network with operators, technology providers and industry peers over drinks and canapés, and make useful connections across the Scottish hospitality sector.

Agenda

15:30 Registration and welcome refreshments
- Leon Thompson, Executive Director Scotland, UKHospitality
AI is changing more than how hospitality businesses operate. It is reshaping what guests expect, how value is created and what it takes to compete. For leaders, the challenge is to look beyond individual tools and rethink the assumptions that have shaped their businesses.

In this talk, Gary will explore how AI is redefining what’s possible in hospitality and the choices leaders can make today to free their people from the tyranny of admin, giving them more time to create the exceptional human experiences at the heart of great hospitality.
- Gary Crawford, Chief Advisor, Owendale Advisory
Hear how one hospitality consultancy runs its daily admin and operational workload through AI, saving more than 15 hours every week. Matt shares what worked, what went wrong along the way, and why a person should always make the final call.
- Matt Jones MIH, Director of Revenue and Technology, Effective Hospitality Management
Is your business at risk of AI food fraud? Learn how to spot fake complaints and protect your reputation with expert insight from Food Alert.
- Annabel Kyle, Technical Director, Food Alert
- Alasdair Dean, AI lead, Food Alert
Discover the cyber security threats facing the hospitality sector and how you can prepare for and respond to potential attacks. Find out how to protect your business and minimise disruption.
- Graham Byars, Chief Technology Officer, Aspen Solutions
Hear from each of our presenters as they come together for a panel discussion, revisiting the key themes of the day and answering your questions. Have something you want to ask? Bring your questions and put them to the experts during an audience Q&A.
- Gary Crawford, Chief Advisor, Owendale Advisory
- Matt Jones MIH, Director of Revenue and Technology, Effective Hospitality Management
- Annabel Kyle, Technical Director, Food Alert
- Alasdair Dean, AI lead, Food Alert
- Graham Byars, Chief Technology Officer, Aspen Solutions
- Leon Thompson, Executive Director Scotland, UKHospitality
18:00 Networking drinks and canapes
19:30 Close

Speakers

Gary Crawford

Chief Advisor, Owendale Advisory

Gary Crawford

Chief Advisor, Owendale Advisory

Gary is an executive advisor with more than 20 years’ experience leading and enabling transformation for global organisations. As founder of Owendale Advisory, he works with senior leaders to understand what AI means for strategy, operating models and competitive advantage, bringing together deep experience in business, technology and design. Owendale has deep expertise in hospitality and partners with HIT Scotland to deliver The Intelligent Edge, an executive and leadership development programme focused on AI’s impact on the industry.

Annabel Kyle

Technical Director, Food Alert

Annabel Kyle

Technical Director, Food Alert

Annabel joined Food Alert in 2021 as Client Services Director. In her current role as Technical Director, she focuses on compliance, interpreting legislation and guidance, updating and creating policies and procedures for clients, supporting clients with EHO appeals and serving as the technical voice of Food Alert. Her expertise spans hospital catering, sous vide cooking, festival catering and noise and odour pollution, making her a valuable resource for clients across various sectors.

Alasdair Dean

AI Lead, Food Alert

Alasdair Dean

AI Lead, Food Alert

Alasdair joined Food Alert in 2022 and is now AI Lead, responsible for identifying and delivering practical AI solutions across the business. With a background in food safety, health and safety and hospitality operations, he combines technical AI expertise with a strong understanding of the challenges facing the food and hospitality sectors.
He has led the development of Food Alert’s AI programme, introducing tools and automation designed to improve efficiency, decision-making and client support, while also overseeing AI governance and risk. His experience spans food safety consultancy, auditing, technical advice and the practical application of generative AI, giving him a unique perspective on how emerging technology can be used to tackle complex industry challenges.

Matt Jones MIH

Director of Revenue and Technology, Effective Hospitality Management

Matt Jones MIH

Director of Revenue and Technology, Effective Hospitality Management

Matt leads EHM’s revenue and technology practice, overseeing pricing, distribution and the technology stack across client properties. An accredited Mews installer, he is trained across multiple property management systems beyond Mews, and holds a PGDip in Hotel Management and a PTLLS Level 4 qualification in delivering adult learning.

Graham Byars

Chief Technology Officer, Aspen Solutions

Graham Byars

Chief Technology Officer, Aspen Solutions

Graham Byars FCCA, CITP MBCS, MAPM is Chief Technology Officer at Aspen Solutions, Scotland's largest independent managed service provider, where around half of the end users the company supports work in hospitality. He leads the technology that keeps those customers' IT secure and running, has led a full migration of the company's service platform that strengthened security, and works with customers on IT strategy as a fractional CIO.
With over 25 years in IT leadership, including a spell as Head of IT at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Graham brings first-hand hospitality experience to the practical side of cyber risk. He is both a Chartered IT Professional and a Chartered Certified Accountant, and focuses on helping businesses make sound, commercially realistic security decisions.