Leading industry experts take centre stage at BAHA

The four panellists at the conference– entitled 'Managing to Sustain Future Profitability' – will be David Clarke, chief executive of Best Western Hotels; Peter Ducker, founder of the Hotel Carbon Index Company; Paul Brackley, general manager at the Crowne Plaza London, and Dr Rebecca Hawkins, senior research fellow at the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (along with her other roles). David Clarke commented on the Panel Forum called 'Managing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - the Impact on profit': "Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming an increasing part of everyday business life, which is ever more prominent in the tourism market. From an hotelier's point of view, it's essential to be seen to be an ethical company, not just to aid with marketing your property, but also to save money and generate revenue. "Many blue chip clients want a CSR commitment from hotels before they will even consider booking into a property. Not doing such activity has a negative impact on bookings and subsequent profit in both the short and long term. Investing now allows hotels to save money through energy efficiency and gain 'ethical' bookings, setting them apart from their competitors." Dr Rebecca Hawkins added: "Worthwhile environmental management doesn't need to be complex or boring – everybody can do it, it can add value to the guest experience and it is in hospitality owners' and managers' interests to commit to it. CSR is not just vital from a profit perspective, but also in considering the interests of society by taking responsibility for the hospitality operation's impact on customers, suppliers, employees, local communities and other stakeholders, as well as perhaps most importantly the environment." The keynote speakers at the third BAHA Conference and IT exhibition are: Surinder Arora FIH, Chairman and Founder of Arora International Hotels; current British Hospitality Association (BHA) President Sir David Michels FIH who is also Deputy Chairman of Marks & Spencer and serves on the boards of British Land, RAB Capital, easyJet, The Jumeirah Hotel Group, and US-based Strategic Hotels & Resorts; and Paul Slattery, Co-founder and Director of Otus & Co, and Chairman of The International Hotel Investment Council. The conference themes include the future for the paperless office, the credit crunch – long-term impact on founding for the industry, and the employment of yield management/room management tools to maintain profitability. For further information log onto www.baha.co.uk and www.bahaconference.co.uk .