Our Story
The Art of Hospitality Conference was founded in November 2023 in Liverpool, created with a clear mission to change the way people view the hospitality industry in the UK and save it, whilst engaging, collaborating and joining up our Industry Network.
As our founder Steven Hesketh puts it:
“I’ve always been an advocate and on this mission to change the perception of hospitality. I understand that I cannot do this alone, this is where The Art of Hospitality began. I wanted to create a space where people could learn from the successes of others to help grow their businesses, strengthen our industry, and support British tourism. Our industry contributes £93 billion to the UK economy, yet it’s often undervalued, this needs to change, and we believe we can do it, one conference at a time.”
What We Do!
Since the first event, we’ve hosted conferences in Liverpool, Chester, and Manchester, welcoming hundreds of guests and are building a growing community of hospitality professionals, entrepreneurs, and supporters.
Each conference is unique, with industry and wider Business leading professionals taking the stage to share their experiences and insights.
These sessions include live Q&As, giving attendees the chance to ask questions, seek advice, and engage directly with the speakers, completely free of charge. This format ensures each event is rich in practical value and real-world relevance, especially for new and independent business owners.
Our past speakers and panelists have included:
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Dani Wallace, founder of The Big Festoon and motivational speaker
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Sacha Lord, co-founder of Parklife Festival and advocate for hospitality
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Sally Abe, Michelin-starred chef and MasterChef contestant.
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We’ve previously featured a range of panels and discussions tailored to current challenges and trends in the industry, such as:
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Young Persons Panel – exploring how the next generation perceives hospitality and how it’s evolving.
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Sustainability panels – focusing on environmental responsibility in operations
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IT and technology panels – exploring digital tools, systems, and guest experience innovation
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BID discussions – with members of Business Improvement Districts explaining how levy funds are used and their impact on local businesses
No two conferences are the same, we tailor our content to reflect the issues that matter most at the time, in the locations we visit.
Whether you’re just starting out, looking to grow, or simply passionate about the future of hospitality, The Art of Hospitality offers inspiration, insight, and a sense of community.
This is more than a conference. It’s a movement, one that’s reshaping the narrative around hospitality and championing the people behind it.