The Hotel & Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) has lined up a number of high profile speakers for its 2004 Annual Conference.

Taking place at The Manchester Conference Centre on 8 June, the one day event will include talks by Mark Jones, destination director of the Eden Project; Tim West, chief executive of Avenance; Michael Flaxman, managing director for Accor Hotels northern, eastern and central Europe and Simon Turl, chief executive of the Sector Skills Council in hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism.

The conference, entitled Managing Today – Managing Tomorrow, Helping You Meet the Challenges, will cover topics including the future shape of the industry, the challenges it faces, the impact of legislation, and developments in education and skills provision.

A pre-conference dinner will take place on the day before.

The association is also to hold its first Hospitality Assured briefing outside of London at Ashorne Hill Conference Centre near Leamington Spa, on 25 June.

The briefing is free to attend and will demonstrate how Hospitality Assured can help organisations improve their performance. Details: www.hcima.org.uk