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Judges praise team as "a template for how to run a marketing department" at annual Hotel Marketing Association ceremonyLondon, XX June 2026 – London Hilton on Park Lane has been named Best Hotel Marketing Team at the 2026 Hotel Marketing Awards, hosted by the Hotel Marketing Association (HMA), part of the Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA). Agilysys sponsored the award.The team outperformed a strong shortlist, including Luxury Family Hotels and Sutton Hotel Collection, and was recognised for strong leadership, clear strategy, and a high-energy approach. Judges described the team as "a template for how to run a marketing department," highlighting their agility, bravery, and ability to seize opportunities, and called them "everything you would expect from the ultimate marketing team."Hannah Pritchard, Cluster Director of Marketing and Communications at London Hilton on Park Lane, said: "This award is an incredible testament to the journey our team has been on together. Made up of five talented women, each person brings something unique to their role, strengthening not only our team but the hotel as a whole. Grace, Ellie, Lillie and Gabby are true culture drivers, combining creativity, commercial thinking and an unwavering commitment to excellence. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such an inspiring group of people. To be recognised by the Hotel Marketing Association and a panel of industry judges makes this achievement even more meaningful. We're proud of what we've built together and excited to keep raising the bar."HMA Chairman Harry Fielder said of this year's winners: "The innovation and strategic clarity showcased by our winners this year are exactly what our industry needs for the future. From using AI frameworks, to executing beautiful, human-centric local partnerships, UK hotel marketers are proving that marketing culture has firmly returned to the heart of business strategy.”London Hilton on Park Lane was one of seven category winners, with HMA commending the team for bringing "agile, data-driven leadership" to one of the capital's most celebrated properties.

7th July 2026, UK: Meet In Wales has announced that the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) will bring its annual conference to Cardiff in 2027 — another strong endorsement of Wales as a compelling destination for global academic and professional gatherings.The conference will attract leading scholars, researchers and practitioners from across the UK and internationally, reinforcing Wales’s growing reputation as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration.Securing the event was led by Meet In Wales conference ambassador Professor Qingwei Wang, together with his colleagues, Professor Jill Atkins, Dr Svetlana Mira and Dr Dennis De Widt. Professor Wang is Professor of Finance and Head of Accounting and Finance at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. He also leads the Cardiff FinTech Research Group and has spent more than a decade at the university. During his career he has organised or co-organised around 20 UK and international conferences.Professor Wang said:“Cardiff combines a strong academic community with excellent conference facilities and a highly accessible location. Cardiff University has high strength in accounting, finance, and FinTech research, making it a great home for the BAFA conference. Cardiff also offers a vibrant cultural scene and a welcoming environment for delegates.”Ambassadors form a key strategic part of Wales’ promotional plans, with a national ambassador programme as well as a city programme in Cardiff. Meet In Wales aligns its ambassador network with the key priority sectors and Research Excellence Framework which includes Fintech.The selection of Cardiff reflects the city’s strong academic ecosystem, excellent infrastructure and reputation for delivering high-quality conference experiences. Meet In Wales worked in partnership with Cardiff University and local stakeholders to support the successful bid and its Head of Business Events, Heledd Williams said: “Hosting the BAFA Annual Conference in Cardiff is another powerful example of international academic communities choosing Wales for its expertise, accessibility and warm welcome. Conferences like BAFA not only advance global knowledge exchange but also create lasting connections between international specialists and our research communities.”Today, the Wales tech sector is worth an estimated £8.5billion to the Welsh economy, with Wales leading the way in FinTech growth by combining rapid job creation with a strong ecosystem of innovators and global brands. FinTechs across the nation are expanding fast, with major employers such as Starling Bank, Sonovate, Delio, Pepper Money, and Wealthify driving sector growth.

Newcastle's growing profile as a host destination is helping to attract the attention of corporate event organisers, according to Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter, as a wider regional renaissance sees planners increasingly looking beyond London and traditional conference destinations.Last year, Newcastle and Gateshead welcomed 17.5 million visitors to the city – a 2.8% increase from 2024, with major events and conferences playing a leading role in the year-on-year growth.Newcastle continues to strengthen its position as a destination for major events, with the city preparing to host five UEFA EURO 2028 matches and welcoming the return of the Mercury Prize in October 2026, following its historic debut as the first host city outside London. Newcastle also welcomed the MOBO Awards for the first time last year, with Crowne Plaza Newcastle serving as a key event hub during the accompanying MOBO Fringe Festival.Crowne Plaza Newcastle has experienced this growing interest first-hand, reporting a 36.1% increase in new enquiries, a 10.6% increase in confirmed business, and an overall 9.1% increase in its total sales pipeline over the past year.Together, these developments are helping to raise Newcastle's profile among event organisers and reinforcing its credentials as a destination capable of delivering major events on a national and international scale.Regionally, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority has recognised the strategic importance of major events and the visitor economy as a key driver for economic growth.North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has backed ambitions to double the value of the visitor economy with £7 million of new investment for Experience North East England. The new regional marketing lead for the visitor economy will inspire and attract even more visitors to North East England by promoting the region’s offer in domestic and global markets.This includes a new regional remit for NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, which works with local businesses, such as Crowne Plaza, to attract conferences, meetings, and events to the region.For many in the meetings and events sector, the trend reflects a broader shift in how destinations are being evaluated. Rising costs, changing delegate expectations, and a growing focus on destination experience are prompting organisers to look beyond traditional conference hubs. As a result, regional cities with strong infrastructure, distinctive identities, and compelling delegate experiences are increasingly competing for events that may once have defaulted to more established destinations.Luke Balcombe, Director of Commercial at Crowne Plaza Newcastle, believes Newcastle is benefiting from this shift."What's particularly striking is the variety of events choosing Newcastle," said Balcombe. "These events are introducing new audiences to the city and demonstrating its ability to deliver events on a major scale."For the business events sector, visibility matters. When organisers see high-profile events choosing Newcastle and then returning, it builds confidence in the destination. We're also seeing growing interest from organisers who may not previously have considered Newcastle for meetings and conferences. Major events help raise awareness, but they also encourage people to take a fresh look at what the city can offer.""The question is no longer whether Newcastle can host major events," he added. "Recent years have answered that. The opportunity now is to build on that momentum and ensure Newcastle is part of the conversation whenever organisers are considering where to host their next event."