Why We Joined HMC 8th Edition
One of the core ways we pursue our mission is through community. A community of experts, curious minds, passionate professionals, and lifelong learners. We believe that we can only realize our vision by building a community of like-minded people, as this is one of the most tangible elements of any thriving ecosystem.
For this reason, we took part in the 8th edition of the Hotel Managers Conference Africa (HMC), held in Lagos on 11–12 July 2026. The theme of this year’s edition was: “Raising the Bar: Sales, Service & Standards for a Competitive Africa.”
Rather than listing everything we learned, we would like to share the three takeaways that had the greatest impact on us and that best capture the spirit of HMC 8th edition.
Finding a Home in African Hospitality
The easiest thing to do after attending a conference is to talk about the knowledge gained. But for us, what mattered most was the feeling.
From the Welcome Dinner at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, to the closing cocktail after the final day of the conference, we felt at home.
Entering the hospitality industry in Africa is a challenging journey. It is sometimes perceived as a space reserved for foreign investors and operators. Being at the HMC 8th edition gave us the reassuring feeling that we belong—that we, too, can write our own story, celebrate every step of the journey, and receive the human, financial, and institutional support needed to avoid walking this path alone.
That is what home is about. It reinforces our identity, supports our ambitions, encourages us to move forward, and equips us with the tools to succeed.
The Value of Meaningful Networks
Our journey would not have been possible without the right network of people who believed in us and helped show us the way.
The HMC 8th edition gave us access to a remarkable community of hospitality professionals, ranging from academics to business leaders and industry practitioners. We were truly impressed by the level of expertise gathered in one place.
We left the conference with meaningful new relationships. Relationships that will support our growth, lead to future collaborations, and open new doors as we pursue our vision.
We would also like to acknowledge the tremendous work carried out by our Nigerian brothers and sisters in the hospitality industry. They have played the role of pioneers and continue to support fellow Africans, including ourselves, with generosity and commitment. Our gratitude cannot be fully expressed in these few words.
Nigeria’s Hospitality Ecosystem: A Blueprint for Central Africa Region
Coming from the Central African region, where the hospitality industry is still developing its institutional and professional structures, it was inspiring to witness how Nigeria has intentionally built a strong ecosystem to shape the development and governance of the sector.
The standards are high, and numerous organizations contribute to advancing the industry, each with clearly defined roles. These include the Association of Tourism and Hospitality Consultants Nigeria (ATHCON), Women in Hospitality Nigeria (WIHN), the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN), the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria (APCN), and the Nigerian Chef Education Council (NCEC).
The question for us is: How can we build the same—if not an even stronger—ecosystem in Central Africa to accelerate the professionalization of the hospitality and tourism sectors?
The answer undoubtedly requires stronger collaboration among private-sector stakeholders. However, governments also have a critical role to play in creating the enabling environment needed to initiate, support, and sustain such transformation.
Beyond the Conference: Our Commitment to HMC 9th Edition
As mentioned earlier, knowledge acquisition is an obvious outcome of attending a conference, so we will not dwell on it here, except to express our sincere appreciation to all the speakers who generously shared their expertise and experience.
After attending HMC for the first time, one thing is certain: we will return for the 9th edition.
Next year, however, we hope to return with an even larger delegation representing East, West, and Central Africa. Language should never be an excuse for missing opportunities to gather, learn, and grow together.
HMC is one of the spaces where we collectively write the African narrative of hospitality.