The hospitality industry’s biggest technology questions — from artificial intelligence and automation to guest expectations and return on investment — will take centre stage at the on 9 June 2026 at CodeNode, London.
Bringing together senior hotel executives, technology innovators and operational leaders from across the UK hospitality market, the one-day forum aims to cut through industry buzzwords and focus on the technologies genuinely reshaping hotel operations and guest experiences.
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Organised by Arena International, the event is expected to attract hundreds of hospitality professionals looking for practical insight into the future of hotel technology.
Moving beyond the AI hype
As AI adoption accelerates across hospitality, many hotel operators are still grappling with a central challenge: which technologies actually deliver value?
That question will shape much of the 2026 agenda, with discussions focused on separating short-term trends from long-term transformation.
Sessions including “Separating Tech Hype from Reality in UK Hospitality” and “Laying Out AI Strategy Roadmap – Trends, Hype and Truly Effecting Transformation” are expected to explore how hotels can implement AI without losing sight of operational realities.
Rather than presenting technology as a silver bullet, the forum will examine how AI is being integrated into pricing, forecasting, guest communications, training and workforce management — while also addressing concerns around cybersecurity, cost and maintaining personalised service.
The real cost — and value — of hotel technology
One of the strongest themes running through the event is commercial accountability.
With hotel owners and operators under continued pressure to manage costs while improving guest satisfaction, technology investments are increasingly being judged on measurable business impact rather than innovation alone.
The session “The Business Case for Hotel Tech in the UK — Who Pays, Who Benefits?” is expected to spark discussion around ownership structures, investment priorities and how operators can demonstrate ROI from digital transformation projects.
The forum will also explore changing labour economics across the hospitality sector, including the growing role of AI-designed training, digital co-workers and automation in helping hotels address skills shortages and operational pressures.
Senior hospitality leaders take the stage
The speaker line-up reflects the event’s focus on practical experience and operational insight, bringing together technology and commercial leaders from major hospitality brands and specialist providers.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Richard Rosenberg, Director of Technology, Whitbread
- Matthew Joyce, Vice President Hospitality Tech, Accor
- Liz Dixon, VP Information Technology – EMEA, Aimbridge Hospitality
- Jon Siberry, Revenue Director, Sarova Hotels
- Mustafa Gokcen, Global Head of IT, Cheval Collection
- Philip von Ditfurth, Founder, Apaleo
- Paul Mulcahy, Chief Commercial Officer, The Lux Collective
- Catt McLeod, Vice President, Brand Development, Elegant Hotel Collection
- Rajdeep Gahir, Head Development EMEA, Urban Rest
- Jacob Andrews, Head of Managed IT, ThreatSpike
Together, the speakers are expected to provide insight into the operational, financial and strategic challenges shaping hospitality technology adoption across the UK market.
Networking and industry collaboration
Beyond the conference sessions, the event is also designed as a networking platform for senior decision-makers across hospitality and travel technology.
Attendees will have access to networking breaks, one-to-one business meetings and an evening drinks reception, creating opportunities for collaboration between hotel operators, technology suppliers and service providers.
For hospitality professionals navigating rapid digital change, the forum offers a chance not only to hear about emerging technologies, but also to understand how leading operators are applying them in practice.
Event details
Date: 9 June 2026
Venue: CodeNode, London, UK
More information, including the full agenda and registration details, is available via the official event website:
International Hotel Technology Forum UK 2026 Official Page
