More Than a Trade Show: How Hospitality Live Leeds is Reimagining Connection
In a region where the hospitality industry supports 54,000 jobs and welcomed 73 million visitors in 2024, the sector deserves a platform that reflects its true energy and innovation. This month, over 300 professionals and 40 venue and supplier partners gathered at the Royal Armouries events centre for the inaugural Hospitality Live Leeds – an event designed to prove that the Hospitality sector is ready for something different.
Breaking the Cycle of Predictable Events
As the third-largest employer in Hospitality UK, our industry thrives on human connection, yet traditional trade shows often feel disconnected from that reality. Hospitality Live was born from a shared frustration among local leaders – including Louise Wright, Commercial Director at Leeds-based Punch Hospitality; Wayne Topley, Managing Director of Cedar Court Hotels and Chairman of the Leeds Hotels & Venues Association; Paula Kelsey of Famtastic Rocks and Benjamin Campbell Venue Director of the Royal Armouries – who felt the MICE industry had become stuck in a cycle of predictable formats and surface-level interactions.
We believe that hospitality professionals deserve better than fleeting conversations. That is why we stripped back the conventional exhibition hall format, replacing traditional stands with open, social spaces designed to foster the kind of quality interactions that drive real business relationships.
A Purpose-Led Approach to MICE Events
Our mission is to create an environment that feels natural and engaging, rather than corporate and stiff. By moving away from rigid structures, Hospitality Live Leeds shifted the energy of typical hospitality events. The daytime programme focused on meaningful, forward-thinking content, such as a standout session on neuroinclusion by Andy Williamson. This session highlighted how small, practical adjustments can make a significant impact on making events more inclusive for everyone.
The results of this human-centred approach speak for themselves:
- 1,000+ Meaningful Conversations: An environment built for real dialogue rather than just “networking”.
- A Vibrant Atmosphere: A transition from expert-led sessions into an evening of street food and live music.
- Community Strength: Support from over 40 partners, showcasing the maturity and collaborative spirit of the Yorkshire Hospitality industry.
The Future of Leeds Events
The feedback from our first year has been clear: there is a deep appetite for experiences that prioritise people over paper-thin corporate formalities. Attendees have already marked Hospitality Live as a “yearly date for the diary,” recognising it as a space where genuine discussion leads to lasting value.
As we look toward 2027, Hospitality Live is proud to be a fixture in the calendar for Leeds events. We are committed to continuing this journey, championing the community, and providing the Hospitality sector with the purposeful, energetic platform it deserves.
