“Connecting People. Inspiring Change. Shaping the Future.”
Hospitality Exchange 2026 is set to return to the Crowne Plaza Belfast on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th October 2026, bringing together hundreds of hospitality, tourism and business leaders for two days of insight, inspiration and industry networking.
Organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF), the flagship event has become the largest hospitality conference of its kind in Northern Ireland, attracting around 700 delegates from across the hotel, tourism, food, drink and wider visitor economy sectors.
Now in its third decade, Hospitality Exchange continues to provide a vital platform for industry collaboration, thought leadership and future-focused discussion at a time of significant change for the sector.
The 2026 programme will explore a series of timely themes shaping the future of hospitality, including rising operational costs, artificial intelligence, leadership, service culture, tourism uncertainty and the growing importance of data-driven decision making.
This year’s conference themes include:
- Costs & Crisis: Navigating Financial Pressures – exploring how hospitality businesses are responding to rising costs, while sharing practical insights on managing costs, improving efficiency and building resilience.
- Technology, Talent & the Human Touch – examining how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping hospitality businesses, while exploring how leaders can harness innovation and data without losing the human touch and experience-led service.
- Data & Detail: Turning Insight into Advantage – exploring how businesses can interpret economic signals, respond to emerging trends and use data-driven insight to support growth, navigate risk and unlock competitive advantage.
Hospitality Exchange 2026 will once again feature a strong line-up of keynote speakers, industry experts and interactive sessions.
Headline speakers announced to date include AI visibility expert Adam Hamadache, who will explore “The Search Shift” and the growing impact of AI on business visibility; travel journalist Pól Ó Conghaile, who will examine the importance of standout service and the human touch in hospitality through his session “Am I Being Seen or Am I Being Served?”; and leading speaker Dr Paul Redmond, who will discuss leadership in an AI-driven world. Together, the sessions form part of the wider “Beyond the Booking” theme, encouraging delegates to look beyond the booking itself and focus on the experience, visibility, leadership and personal connection that will shape the future of hospitality.
As part of the programme, Hospitality Exchange 2026 will welcome an award-winning chef for an exclusive gourmet dining experience at The Merchant Hotel on Monday 12th October. The special event will offer guests a unique culinary showcase ahead of the main conference programme, with the chef also appearing as part of the Hospitality Exchange conference line-up across the two-day event.
The conference programme will also include:
- Beyond the Booking – a seminar exploring leadership, visibility and hospitality that connects.
- The Leadership Lunch & Rising Star Awards – celebrating emerging talent within the sector.
- The Business Breakfast – featuring expert hotel performance analysis and economic insight.
- Talking Tourism – examining tourism trends, economic uncertainty and future opportunities for Northern Ireland.
- The Speaker Lunch – a keynote networking event featuring a high-profile guest speaker.
- The Gala Ball – a celebratory evening bringing the hospitality industry together to recognise success across the sector.
Commenting on the launch of Hospitality Exchange 2026, NIHF President Vicky Green said:
“Hospitality Exchange has become an important platform for bringing the industry together to share ideas, tackle challenges and shape future opportunities for hospitality and tourism in Northern Ireland.
“As businesses continue to navigate economic pressures, evolving technologies and changing consumer expectations, this year’s programme has been designed to provide practical insight, inspiration and meaningful discussion that supports future growth and resilience across the sector.”
With keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities and industry celebration events, Hospitality Exchange 2026 promises to deliver valuable insight for professionals across every area of the visitor economy.
The full conference programme will be announced in early September. For further information and ticket details, visit hospitalityexchange.org.uk.
