When and where is the Independent Hotel Show?

Independent Hotel Show takes place 4 - 5 October 2021 at Olympia Exhibition Centre, London.

The opening times are:

• Monday 4 October 2021, 10:00 – 17:00
• Tuesday 5 October 2021, 10:00 – 17:00

For details on how to get to Olympia London, visit our travel page.

Who can attend?

An industry event, Independent Hotel Show is for independently spirited hoteliers. For two days the show brings together the hotelier community to support, share, educate and inspire.

Can students attend the Independent Hotel Show?

The Independent Hotel Show is curated for General Managers and other Heads of Department active within the hotel industry. We do not invite junior members of staff because the show is not relevant to them and with this in mind, we unfortunately cannot open the show up to students.

We reserve the right to request proof of business (i.e a scan of your business card, copies of invoices etc) before issuing a badge.

How do I get tickets?

You can get your complimentary pass here.

Do I need to specify what day I will visit when I register?

No, your visitor pass will grant you access for both days of the event.

Do I need to book onto the Independent Hotel Show conference programme separately?

You will be invited to book onto sessions on the seminar programme after you have completed your online registration.

There are two stages to choose from:

• Innovation Stage
• Social Business Space

How do I register a colleague?

You cannot register a colleague as each person needs to register with a unique email address. However, you can send an invite to prompt your colleague to do this on the final page of your registration.

If you have any registration queries, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Can I bring a child with me?

Unfortunately, as this is an industry only event, we do not permit entry to anyone under the age of 18.

Can I bring a bag to the event?

Yes, you can bring a bag to this event and Olympia London has cloakrooms available if you wish to use it. They will open 30 minutes before and close 30 mins after show hours. The cost is £1 per item (£2 for larger bags and suitcases).

At Olympia no cash will be taken at catering outlets and cloakrooms so all customers will need to have contactless payment methods available.

I am interested in exhibiting, who can I contact?

If you are interested in exhibiting, please get in touch with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or enquire to exhibit here.

What are the entry conditions of Independent Hotel Show?

All attendees will need to pre-register in advance of arriving to the show. This includes visitors, exhibitors, speakers and contractors.

Your badge will be sent to you via email to print at home, ensuring a quicker and simpler arrival process. We have implemented a reduced-contact registration system so there will be very limited opportunity to do this onsite.

All attendees will also be required to show proof of COVID-19 status on arrival at the venue, this will need to be ONE of the following in the form of:

• Proof of completion of a full course of vaccination 2 weeks prior to arrival, whether that requires 2 doses or one dose.
  
  OR
• Proof of negative Lateral Flow Test taken within 48hrs of arrival.
  
  OR
• Proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period.

Lateral flow tests are available for free from the NHS website or your local pharmacy.

Why do I need to prove my COVID-19 status?

Current information and guidance suggest that verifying attendees COVID-19 status is an effective way of reducing the risk of transmission among large groups. Studies of those who have received a full vaccination course demonstrate that the risk of carrying and transmitting the disease is vastly reduced. For those not vaccinated, a lateral flow test has been proven as a reliable way of indicating if people are currently carrying the virus. Therefore, this evidence suggests that this is the best way to keep everyone safe.

How do I show proof of my COVID status?

1. If you are a resident in England, you can do this via the NHS COVID Pass which lets you share your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination records or test COVID-19 status in a secure way.

2. Or proof of your negative Lateral Flow Test. To get proof of this, you need to report your results to the NHS. You can do this via using one of the below options – you will need the QR Code, or the ID number from the test strip to report your result.

• Report online: www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result 
• Or report by telephone - Lines are open every day, 7am to 11am England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 119 (Free from mobiles and landlines) Scotland: 0300 303 2713 (charged at your standard network rate)

You can show proof of a negative lateral flow test via the NHS COVID-19 Pass, an email or text message.

How do I access the NHS COVID Pass?

NHS App 

You can access your NHS COVID Pass through the free NHS App on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Proof of your COVID-19 status will be shown within the NHS App.

Please note the NHS App (which contains the NHS COVID Pass) is different from the NHS Covid App used for Track and Trace.

NHS Website 

You can view your COVID-19 status online and download or print it as a PDF document. To access the service, you’ll need to register for an NHS login if you do not have one already. NHS login registrations may take longer than usual when there are high numbers of requests.

If you do not have access to a smart phone, computer or tablet, you can request an NHS COVID Pass letter via the NHS website or by calling 119 (select the 'NHS COVID Pass service').

Find out more about the NHS COVID Pass here.

How do I get my COVID Pass to gain entry to the event if I'm a visitor from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

If you live in Scotland, you can find out how to obtain your vaccination status here.

If you live in Wales, you can find out how to obtain your vaccination status here.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you must supply paper proof of vaccination from your GP, or alternatively show a negative lateral flow test result.

Do I need to wear a face covering?

Following proof of COVID-19 status and the nature of our event, it will not be mandatory to wear a face covering, however if it makes you feel more comfortable then we would recommend doing so. We also recommend wearing a face covering in the queue, before your COVID status is checked.

Will social distancing be in place?

All legal limits on social distancing have now been lifted. However, we want everyone to feel as safe as possible when attending the event therefore we have increased gangways to 3 meters where possible to allow for additional spacing.

Will there be hand sanitiser available?

Hand sanitising stations will be available onsite in high traffic areas. We also recommend carrying your own at all times and applying when you enter and leave exhibitor stands, features and theatres.

What should I do if I feel unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 or if I get contacted by track and trace during the event?

Please do not attend the show if you feel unwell with symptoms of COVID-19. Should you begin to feel unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 whilst onsite, please follow current Government guidelines which would be for you to leave the event and arrange to go for a PCR test.

If you get 'pinged' or contacted by Track and Trace whilst you are at the event, please follow the government advice at the time.

What happens if there has only been one week between my second vaccination and the event?

In this circumstance proof of a negative NHS lateral flow test taken within 48hrs prior to attending the event would be required, and can be displayed via NHS App, SMS text, or via email.

What happens if I do not have the NHS app?

Proof of a negative NHS lateral flow test taken within 48hrs prior to attending the event can be displayed via NHS App, SMS text, or via email.

Proof of vaccine can be displayed via the NHS App, NHS website or by downloading and printing off a PDF.

A non-digital letter is also available through the NHS website using the ‘Get your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status letter’ service or by phoning 119.

Who is exempt from COVID-19 status checks?

If you have a medical reason which means you cannot be vaccinated or tested, you will be asked to self-declare this medical exemption.

Will there be any restrictions for international attendees?

We welcome international attendees on the basis they can prove their COVID-19 status as defined by the government at the time of the event.