Date of Event
Date(s) - 27/02/2026
7:30 am - 9:45 am

Location of Event
Solent Hotel & Spa Rookery Ave, Whiteley, Hampshire PO15 7AJ United Kingdom

Join Us at the Hospitality Networking Exchange – Hampshire Breakfast Meet up Session

Where: Solent Hotel & Spa – Carisbrooke Suite
When: Friday 27 February2026
Time: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Cost: FREE

Includes light breakfast

We’re excited to invite you to the 2nd Hospitality Networking Exchange – Hampshire, a quarterly networking breakfast designed to unite local hospitality and catering professionals, share best practice, and build lasting partnerships.

Topic: Why Collaborative Destination Marketing Matters for Food & Accommodation Businesses

Our guest Jo Cooper will explore why destination marketing is becoming essential for food businesses of all kinds and how Visit Hampshire supports operators in enhancing customer experiences and driving bookings and footfall.

The session will cover what Visit Hampshire is, how it operates, and future plans for county-wide campaigns that individual businesses can tap into. Jo will also highlight Hampshire’s Top Attractions as a valuable resource and opportunity for food businesses. Attendees will learn how to align their offerings with destination campaigns, form partnerships with local attractions, and leverage Visit Hampshire’s tools to save time while adding extra value for their customers.

Jo Cooper – CEO, The Marketing Collective

With over 25 years in tourism and destination marketing, Jo specialises in collaborative strategies that connect visitor attractions with hospitality. After working in both public and private sectors, she founded The Marketing Collective in 2010 to champion a different approach – one where businesses work together, not in competition. Jo leads a full-service marketing agency, mentors tourism professionals and delivers training on marketing and brand strategy

Jo pioneered a consortium model that grew Hampshire’s Top Attractions from its founding members to a thriving community of 70+ venues, expanding this collaborative framework across Sussex and Dorset. In 2025, she took over Visit Hampshire, transforming it into a practical resource for the industry.

The Marketing Collective also manages the Southampton and Region Hoteliers Association and promotes collaboration across the sector.

Keep updated

We have created a dedicated LinkedIn group to continue the conversation before and after the event. This space is designed to encourage sharing, collaboration, and networking among attendees and industry professionals. Please feel free to join and share the group with your colleagues: Hospitality Networking Exchange – LinkedIn Group

Sponsors

The Solent Hotel & Spa

Thank you to the Solent Hotel & Spa for supporting the networking by providing room space

Conveniently located between Southampton and Portsmouth the Solent Hotel & Spa, offers charming hospitality, a luxurious spa, rosette dining with our very own open-flame grill at FYR, and modern business spaces. Perfect for a staycation on the south coast, popping in for a delicious meal, finding a space to work, impressing a client, or enjoying a night away before embarking on your cruise. The Solent Hotel & Spa is a haven to relax in when visiting the south coast.

Labl.it – Smarter Food Labelling for Commercial Kitchens

Labl.it is the UK’s most trusted food label printer, helping over 2,500 hospitality businesses stay compliant with Natasha’s Law and EHO requirements. Our all-in-one labelling solution increases kitchen efficiency, boosts profitability, reduces food waste, and cuts admin time by up to 75%.

“Using Labl.it has been far more cost-effective and time-saving than handwriting labels. It’s transformed how we manage labelling – we love it.” — Stephen Doyle, Winchester Hotel & Spa

Comax – Smarter, Sustainable Business Solutions

Comax, with over 30 years’ experience, supplies 5,000+ products, catering equipment, and sustainable solutions across multiple sectors. They simplify procurement, support smarter, sustainable operations, and build lasting customer relationships. Their generous support helps us connect Hampshire’s hospitality professionals, fostering collaboration and career growth.

Why Attend?

This event is part of a collaborative initiative led by South Hampshire College Group, Food Allergy Aware, and Tailored Leadership Clitheroe Consultancy for forward-thinking hospitality and food related service and supplier businesses.

It’s your opportunity to:

Connect with like-minded professionals across the sector
Share insights, best practices, and referrals

Our Goals

We’re building a supportive local network where:

Members can refer clients when requests fall outside their remit
Careers in hospitality are promoted through links with education providers
Businesses support each other online via LinkedIn for greater visibility
Students gain exposure to real-world career paths and placement opportunities

How to Get Involved

Attend quarterly meetups
Engage on LinkedIn by liking, sharing, and commenting on member posts
Share your business journey and ideal customer profile at events
Support education-industry partnerships by offering insights, talks, or placements