Hotel Leaders Network is firmly on every hotelier's agenda every year

The Beurs van Berlage - on the Damrak in Amsterdam - is guaranteed to be buzzing with excitement on 17 February 2023 when the top Dutch hotel management meet. Knowledge transfer, insight and inspiration, good conversations, enjoying the fun elements both on and off the stage and now also the opportunity to watch the HLN Start-Up Pitches... these are all the tantalising ingredients of the event, which experienced its first edition back in 2013 and over the years earned a certain place in the calendar of the entire target group.

Speaking are visibly enthusiastic organisers Melle Pegman and Jacob de Graaff. "For years, we have noticed a great need among the leaders in the Dutch hotel industry to meet and learn from each other. Because, if you are in conversation with each other, you will also move forward within your own field! Especially now that we have had a two-year period when the world was turned upside down by the corona pandemic. Looking ahead to the coming years in the hotel profession, however, you don't do it alone. You do that together."

First a quick review of Hotel Leaders Network 2022, which took place last 2 September. Actually, the sixth edition should have been organised back in February, but the Netherlands was still in a strict lockdown at the time. 

"Fortunately, the catch-up, right after the summer holidays, was a successful one," says Melle. "General Managers, Hotel Managers, hotel owners, CEOs, COOs, regional directors... they were all there. On the one hand to network and experience good hospitality themselves for a change, but on the other hand also to be inspired. For instance by 'The Hotel Speech', traditionally delivered at the end of the event. In the past, we already had speakers like Jort Kelder and Jan-Jaap van de Wal, now in September, comedian Martijn de Koning gave his unvarnished vision of the hotel industry."

"That was a bit confrontational at times," Jacob acknowledges. "But actually that is exactly the intention. We want to hold up a mirror to the profession in a critical way. The comedian is tasked with making fun of the hotel industry with his outsider's view, but at the same time he also provides a heart to heart. With 'The Hotelrede' we want to get the industry thinking. It's okay to be a bit abrasive. Anyway, we want to give all our guests something substantive before the Walking Network Dinner starts."

Who will deliver 'The Hotelrede' in February 2023 is not yet known - at the time of going to press of this Hotelvak - but Melle and Jacob do expect themes such as the labour market and technological developments in the profession to be covered. "Other speakers during HLN will also touch on those themes. And that is not illogical. After all, where do you get good staff? And, how do you retain your people? But if you can't find those staff, are there technological developments that can support the quality of your hospitality?" These will be recognisable challenges for anyone who is a 'Leader' in the profession.

When the pair is asked what Hotel Leaders Network will look like in 10 years, the answer is clear. "Of course we want to grow further. We certainly hope to welcome more than 600 leaders from the profession at HLN in a decade's time. We do not rule out introducing relevant Awards as an incentive as well as a reward for the industry. As far as we are concerned, HLN will become the day - once a year - where you must be as a Hotel Leader because the latest developments and trends - and opportunities! - are discussed in detail.

Finally, when Melle and Jacob talk about what they themselves always pay attention to when staying in a hotel, the phrase 'Eye For Detail' immediately comes to mind. Melle: "As far as I'm concerned, it's always about guest experience, atmosphere and personal attention." Jacob adds that a concept like 'guest experience', by the way, does not have to depend at all on the number of stars a hotel has or in which segment the business operates. "As long as the concept is right," he says. "Only then will you create the ideal Hotel Experience for your guest. And that is also how we see our event: the concept is right. Networking, inspiring and getting inspired."