Off To A Racing Start – Lynx Purchasing Annual Conference 2026

Over the years, delegates to the Lynx Purchasing Annual Conference have been treated to the wild – and wacky – when it comes to our afternoon mystery activity. This year – on one of the UK’s hottest ever days – we went Dragon Boat Racing on the lake at Whittlebury Park. There was a welcome breeze, shade, lots of splashing and a competitive spirit that defied the 35C plus temperatures. It’s a spirit that sums up the tenacity of the UK’s hospitality industry, our suppliers and our customers to get on with it whatever the challenge.

This was Lynx Purchasing’s 11th conference and this year’s theme was New Year, New Balance focussing on the opportunities of the year ahead and sustainable business development. Our conference MC was sales director Howard Pearson with speakers that included managing director Rachel Dobson, financial director Jo Hunt, directors of business development Matt Thompkins and David Catherall, and business manager Natalie Sutton. There were guest appearances by video of several Lynx Purchasing customers and The Hotel Inspector’s Alex Polizzi who uses and recommends the Lynx Purchasing GP Calculator App in two episodes of her latest series.