THE GREAT PR DEBATE - NOW FULLY BOOKED - The Hotel Marketing Association

The good old days of cosy relationships between PR agencies, hotels and journalists involving lunches, press releases and hoped for coverage are long gone. The digital age with new channels of communication such as social media networks, blogs, citizen journalism and online video mean hotels can get their messages to huge audiences when, where and how they want instantly. Is the industry adapting to this new way of working? Have PR agencies restructured their approach to servicing clients and engaging with the media? How are journalists reacting to these changes? Will PR die on its feet and ultimately become a facet of digital marketing?

These are just some of the topics our expert panel will be addressing on the night. This lively panel discussion is not to be missed if you work in public relations, digital or hospitality marketing.

The Panel

Tom Chesshyre, travel writer for The Times, where he has worked since 1997. He is the author of four travel books: How Low Can You Go? Round Europe for 1p Each Way (Plus Tax), 2007; To Hull and Back: On Holiday in Unsung Britain, 2010; Tales from the Fast Trains: Europe at 186mph, 2011; and A Tourist in the Arab Spring, 2013.

Frank Barrett, Travel Editor Mail on Sunday, as well as being a prolific travel writer and author, Frank has been a presenter on the BBC Holiday Show and a regular contributor to Radio 4 travel and consumer programmes.

Frank Barrett is Travel Editor of Britain’s biggest selling mid-market Sunday newspaper The Mail on Sunday. He began his journalistic career as a graduate trainee at Travel Trade Gazette. At the age of 26 he left to become editor of Business Traveller magazine. He was Travel Editor of The Independent which he joined at its inception in 1986.

He has written several travel books including, most recently, `Where Was Wonderland’ a best-selling guide to the real-life locations of classic children’s books such as Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden.

He has won several Travel Writer of the Year awards, including the prestigious British Press Award for travel feature writing. Recently he was chosen as winner of the Best National Newspaper Cruise Feature writer award in the inaugural PSA Cruise Journalism Awards. In 2011 he also accepted the award for Best National Newspaper Travel Section of the Year in the British Travel Press Awards (in 2010 in the same awards he was awarded an ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award along with Alan Whicker).

He was the first person to spend a night in Madame Tussauds Chamber of Horrors and didn’t get the cash reward promised by Charles Dickens.

Adam Raphael, Editor of the Good Hotel Guide, is a former Executive Editor of Newsnight and writer for The Economist and Observer

Editor and publisher of The Good Hotel Guide 1998- to present

Transport editor, the Economist 1994-2004

Executive Editor, the Observer 1988-93

Political Editor, the Observer 1976-87

Political Correspondent, the Guardian 1973-76

Washington Correspondent, the Guardian 1968-73.

Awards: Journalist of the Year, British Press Awards 1973

Investigative Reporter of the Year, Granada 1973

TV Presenter: Newsnight, BBC TV 1987-88.

Channel 4: A series of 10 half-hour interviews with political leaders

BBC Dateline, guest on programme discussing week’s news.

David Collyer, Director of Marketing UK & Ireland, InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s largest hotel company. Among his many responsibilities David is responsible for IHG’s Managed Hotel’s digital remit and UK PR function.

With over 20 years’ experience in marketing and brand development roles across luxury, FMCG and Travel, David Collyer is Director of Marketing & Strategy UK&I for Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s largest hotel companies. He is responsible for the development and implementation of the marketing strategy to support 65 IHG company managed hotels in the UK and the boarder IHG marketing matrix functions.

Working predominantly with the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotel brands, one of David’s responsibilities includes overseeing the Managed Estate PR strategy and activation that encompasses brand, UK product, and hotel specific activity.

David is involved in all aspects of the communications strategy including media relations, crisis management, blogger engagement and social media. He ran the successful re-launch of the Holiday Inn brand across 58 hotels and last year received IHG’s internal Star Award.

Dean Harvey, Digital Development Director, Designate. His role is to foster a truly integrated culture, not just at the agency but with their clients – which include Kuoni, P&O Ferries and Disney. With a background in Travel, marketing and Search he believes that great content will attract and earn attention online, driving brand and ultimately sales. Originally from Birmingham, he now works and lives in Brighton.

Panel Chairman for the evening, Henry Hemming, CEO of TravMedia, sponsors of the meeting, will be presenting the results of a pre event survey. For an opportunity to take part in our PR survey please complete the questionnaire via this link. The names of all participants will be placed into a draw for an opportunity to win a bottle of PR (Pol Roger) champagne. Draw to take place on the evening.

Date: May 21st 2014. Evening includes wine/soft drink and canapés.

Networking: 6.30pm – 7.00pm

Panel Session: 7.00pm – 8.30pm

Networking: 8.30pm – 9.00pm

Venue: Holiday Inn London Regent’s Park, Carburton Street, London W1W 5EE

Cost: £20 HMA/CIM/CIMTIG/HOSPA Members

£25 Non Members

£15 Student

CPD Hours: 1.5
Follow us on Twitter @HMAinfo and tweet about this event using #TheGreatPRDebate