By Ian Neubauer

Tourism and leisure consultancy Horwath HGL is this week hosting its inaugural Hexco event — a conference and awards night for the executive and departmental management teams of accommodation properties in Australia and New Zealand.

Horwarth HTL managing director, Vasso Zographou, said Hexco was developed after the company identified a market gap in information delivery for broad operational issues affecting hotel management.

“Hexco has three main objectives,” he said. “First, to provide training that is not brand specific; second, to promote the exchange of ideas and shared experiences; and third, to facilitate networking opportunities.”

Zographou said a vital element in organising the event was securing the support of the major hotel brands like Accor, IHG, Starwood and Hilton.

“We knew it would be critical to enlist the support of brands before embarking on this event,” he said. So we approached the major brands and sought their view and reaction. And they were all positive.”

Hexco has two components: a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise hosting the MAXXOTEL awards, which rewards properties across various categories based on their financial performance; and a series of plenary sessions dealing with matters crucial to the accommodation industry held at the Westin Sydney tomorrow (August 28). Two hundred delegates are expected to attend.

Horwath HTL also hosts the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Hotel Investment Conference (ANZPHIC). Now in its eight year, the ANZPHIC is the premier event in the space of hotel investment and takes place in June.