(UK) – HIX Europe announces its 2026 talks programme, with sessions on hotel refurbishment, local identity and destination development scheduled for 25–26 November at ExCeL London. 

Curated by Sleeper magazine and hosted by hospitality strategists Philippa Wagner and Heleri Rande, HIX Talks will combine short project presentations with panel discussions involving architects, interior designers, developers and hotel operators. 

The programme forms part of the event’s 2026 theme, ‘Changes’, and will examine how hospitality projects respond to changing guest expectations, conservation requirements and operational demands. 

Opening on 25 November, ‘Icons Reinvented’ will consider the refurbishment of established hotels, drawing on Park Hyatt Tokyo, Conrad Athens and Delano Miami. Presenters listed in the published agenda include Sanjit Manku of Jouin Manku, Alex Reed of Hilton and Ria Xenou of Elastic Architects. 

‘Distributed & Deconstructed’ will examine hotels spread across cabins, lodges and pavilions, including One&Only Moonlight Basin, Here. Maldives, Envi Paje and Crafted at Powdermills. A further session, ‘A Sense of Place’, will address connections between hotels and their locations through projects including The Newman London, The Companion Vienna and The Dean Munich. 

The first day will also include a discussion with contributors to the event’s art, music, and digital experiences, including representatives from DoubleDecker, Music Concierge and Outform. 

On 26 November, ‘The Red Sea’ will focus on large-scale destination development, with contributions from Daniele Sbaraglia of Foster + Partners and Simon Thompson of Red Sea Global, according to the organisers’ announcement. 

‘Mid-Century Modernised, Concrete Converted’ will explore the adaptation of modernist buildings for hospitality, referencing The Chancery Rosewood London, Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, Sheraton Stockholm and The Standard Brussels. ‘Grandes Dames & Grand Designs’ will examine the restoration of historic hotels and the conversion of palaces and mansions, including questions of conservation, restoration costs and commercial viability. 

The talks will run alongside an exhibition of hotel interior products, including lighting, furniture, textiles, bathrooms and surfaces, as well as installations and networking events. Visitor registration is free. 

Further information and registration: www.hixevent.com