IHS 2023: full focus on independent hoteliers

On the Independent Hotel Show, which was held 14-15 March at RAI Amsterdam, independent hoteliers in the Netherlands and Belgium deservedly received full attention. The best suppliers and service providers for the hotel industry presented themselves with a wide range of innovative products and services, fully focused on all facets of the hotel industry.

In addition to new ideas, products and solutions to increase returns and enhance the guest experience, the fair offered plenty of opportunities to expand the network and build strong business relationships. Opportunities to optimise business processes and trends for the future were also covered in the seminar programme. Incidentally, the seminar programme was remarkably well filled with attentive listeners who took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions.

Mieke Berkers, manager of the Independent Hotel Show: 'We look back on a very successful third edition. It was much busier both days than previous years. Very noticeable was that many hoteliers came both days. There were also more international guests than the first two times. Many Belgians, but also German and even American hoteliers. The seminar programme was also well attended and we received feedback from many exhibitors that they were very happy with the contacts they made. And we received very nice reactions to the fashion show and the award ceremony. Next year, we will again add new elements, because of course we want to continue to surprise. We are already looking forward to next year, on 12 and 13 March 2024, but first we are going to take a rest from these intensive days."

The entrance that designer Ingrid van der Veen made for this IHS deserves special mention. "The entrance consisted of a red zone and a blue zone," explains Ingrid. "Through the red area, which represents the hectic and chaos of everyday life, visitors entered the blue area. There you could quietly come to yourself and make mental space for things to come. In this way, I wanted to induce a reset in visitors. Disconnect the brain from all stimuli for a while and create space for new ideas. Generating that subconscious emotion is at the heart of my work. What was beautiful was that people told me that that was indeed exactly what they felt."

Several parties were put in the spotlight during the two-day event. From no fewer than 50 entries, Rotterdam-based Boutique Hotel Pincoffs (www.hotelpincoffs.nl) was named winner of Hotel Website of the Year. Second was the site of Le Marin Boutique Hotels (www.lemarinshotels.com), also based in Rotterdam, and the website of Landgoed Lauswolt (www.lauswolt.nl) from Beetsterzwaag achieved third spot. Eric Toren of TwentySeven Amsterdam was named Hotelier of the Year. The Outstanding Contribution Award went to Piet Boogert, director and face of the Lloyd Hotel for many years. He received the award for his contribution to the city of Amsterdam and commitment to the cultural and hotel sector. On behalf of Hotelvak congratulations to all the winners!

Hotel Botanic Sanctuary in Antwerp picked up the award for Best Hotel Concept. The Hotel Partnership of the Year went to the Lacoly company.

The IHS, originally an English set-up, was realised by a special team in the Netherlands this year. From Hotelvak we noted these initial reactions from visitors and exhibitors:

"We were able to speak to many long-term relationships face to face and keep in touch with others in the market, said Thomas Dieben (Becurious): "We really see IHS as a quality trade fair that the hoteliers themselves come to. Very relevant to us is that many of them are currently exploring new automation solutions and opportunities for more direct bookings. We had good conversations about that."

"Every year the IHS is a great party for us that we look forward to with great pleasure," said Jeroen Coesmans of ASSA ABLOY. "We launch novelties in the right ambience. Of course, we talk to our customers, partners and make new contacts."