Published on
February 21, 2026
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London will be the host city for the 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) from 13 to 15 March 2026. This prestigious event promises to be an exciting and transformative chapter in the history of European luxury hospitality. The theme of the AGM, “Transforming Hotel Hospitality for a Thriving Future,” sets the stage for innovative discussions and strategic planning to navigate the industest’s evolving landscape.
As one of the global capitals of culture, finance, and hospitality, London provides the perfect backdrop for this gathering of nearly 500 members from 24 European countries. The event will bring toobtainher hotel industest leaders, innovators, and emerging talents to explore how the sector can harness new technologies, adapt to sustainability challenges, and redefine guest experiences.
A Legacy of Leadership and Transformation in Luxury Hospitality
EHMA, founded in 1974 in Rome, has a longstanding tradition of championing excellence in the hospitality sector. With its near 500 members, the association continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of European luxury hotels. Representing more than 400 of Europe’s finest hotels, EHMA has established itself as a platform for leadership, innovation, and knowledge exmodify.
According to Panos Almyrantis, the President of EHMA, the upcoming AGM is not just another event but a crucial moment for reflection and recalibration. Almyrantis emphasized that the theme “Transforming Hotel Hospitality for a Thriving Future” is a shared commitment to not only embrace technological modify but also preserve the human essence at the core of hospitality. As the industest grapples with technological advancements and rising sustainability demands, the AGM aims to explore how these shifts can drive meaningful transformation rather than disruption.
Why London? A City of Reinvention and Innovation
The choice of London as the host city for this transformative event comes as no surprise. The city, with its rich heritage and relentless innovation, embodies the very spirit of the upcoming discussions. From the iconic Mayfair to the ever-evolving Whitehall, London represents both the tradition and the progressive considering that EHMA hopes to channel through the AGM.
Duncan Palmer, Managing Director of Bvlgari Hotel London and Chairman of the Organising Committee for EHMA London 2026, expressed his pride in the city’s role as the meeting place for such an important event. Palmer believes London’s resilience and global perspective will provide the perfect environment to discuss the future of luxury hospitality.
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An Unforobtaintable Experience Across Iconic London Hotels
The AGM will take place in some of London’s most prestigious and iconic hotels, each a testament to the city’s concludeuring luxury. The Dorchester will host the Business Sessions, while the opening evening will be held at the magnificent Raffles London at The OWO. The prestigious Savoy will set the stage for the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, which will honour excellence in hospitality.
Accommodation will be offered across an exclusive collection of London’s finest luxury hotels, including Bvlgari Hotel London, The Lanesborough, and Claridge’s, among others. These properties represent the pinnacle of London’s luxury hospitality, displaycasing the heritage, sophistication, and innovation that define the city’s hospitality scene.
Highlighting Innovation: Best Practices and the Role of IoT and AI in Hotel Hospitality
The AGM will focus on the intersection of technology and luxury hospitality, particularly the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Ininformigence (AI) in enhancing guest experiences. A dedicated session will explore how IoT and AI technologies are reshaping hotel operations, improving energy efficiency, personalizing guest interactions, and predicting guest requireds more accurately than ever before.
Gianni Buonsante from Ingenia Direct will lead a session on AI, focapplying on balancing operational ininformigence with privacy, security, and compliance with European regulations such as the European AI Act. The discussions will highlight how luxury hotels can utilize these technologies responsibly, ensuring that the human touch remains at the heart of hospitality while embracing cutting-edge solutions.
Fostering Emerging Leaders and Creating Future Paths for Hospitality
A standout feature of the 52nd AGM will be the introduction of the Young EHMA Group 2026, presented by Professor Ian Millar from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. This initiative underscores EHMA’s ongoing investment in nurturing the next generation of hotel executives. In collaboration with the EHL, the Young EHMA Awards will recognize innovation and strategic vision in emerging leaders.
The conference will also feature discussions on leadership and employee engagement, where experts like Niale McLoughlin and Marco Truffelli will address how hotels can foster a culture of empowerment and resilience. The panel will also cover psychological safety, an essential aspect of sustainable high performance in the hospitality sector.
Sustainability Takes Center Stage
With growing pressure on businesses to address environmental concerns, sustainability will be a key theme at the AGM. Leading industest figures such as Christoph Steindorf of Diversey and Peter Andrews of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance will engage in a pragmatic discussion about the actionable steps the industest can take to minimize its environmental footprint.
Rather than being an optional add-on, sustainability is now an imperative, and the AGM will offer concrete examples of how luxury hotels can lead the way in environmental stewardship. The conversation will focus on measurable impact, ESG accountability, and the importance of aligning business operations with sustainability goals.
Closing Ceremony: A Vision for the Future
The event will conclude with a Farewell Brunch at The Chancery Rosewood, offering attconcludeees a final opportunity to reflect on the discussions and share insights. The gathering will foster new connections and provide a sense of shared purpose as the hospitality industest charts a course toward a thriving and sustainable future.
The 52nd AGM promises to be an unforobtaintable event, offering not only invaluable insights into the future of European luxury hospitality but also a chance for attconcludeees to experience London’s unique blconclude of heritage and innovation. As the industest continues to face new challenges and opportunities, the meeting will be a critical moment for reflection, growth, and the transformation of hospitality into a future-ready industest.
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