Date/Time
Date(s) - 19/10/2010 - 20/10/2010
12:00 am

Location
Ramada Hotel
117 Miltown Road
Belfast

BT8 7XP

United Kingdom

The great and the good of the hospitality industry are eagerly awaiting the start of this year’s Hospitality Exchange – the Province’s largest hospitality conference and exhibition which takes place in the Ramada Hotel Belfast on 19th & 20th October. This year’s event was launched by James McGinn, TV star and hotel manager extraordinaire who, was joined by chefs Niall McKenna of James Street South and Brian McCann of Shu to raise a toast to the event.  Niall, who was a winner of the  BBC’s Great British Menu, will take part in a cook-off with his old adversary Brian as part of the two day programme.  The pair will cook a range of locally inspired dishes using the best of Northern Ireland produce under the careful eye of Great British Menu judge and renowned food critic, Matthew Fort.

This years line-up also includes Edinburgh-based chef Tom Kitchin, one of the youngest ever recipients of a Michelin star as well as Irish-American hotelier John Fitzpatrick, recently voted Irish American of the Year. John has a long association with the Province and received an honorary OBE last year for his services to the Northern Ireland peace process.

Online booking and social media continue to dominate consumer activity and their influence spans the entire industry. Leading travel site Tripadvisor will be speaking about how their business has grown, the influence it has and how they see this medium evolving.

Tourism has moved up the political agenda in recent times and this, coupled with the review of public spending, makes for interesting times ahead.  Internationally respected think-tank Oxford Economics will present specially commissioned, up-to-the minute research on the state of the sector. They will outline the factors that will affect growth and highlight trends in the offing. All this and a large trade exhibition with key suppliers launching a range of new products at this year’s event makes for a action packed couple of days!

Full details or the event are available at www.hospitalityexchange.co.uk or by contacting 028 9077 6635. Bookings can be made on-line or by phone using the details above.