The afternoon sessions for the Pub Leaders Summit have been announced, with several notable pub operators joining the program.
The Pub Leaders Summit, brought to you by McCAIN and Australian Hotelier, will delve into multiple topics that are front of mind for publicans, as well as highlighting new ideas that can help optimise venue operations.
The first group of topics and speakers were announced in July, covering pressing topics such as profitability, new business models and cybersecurity. Australian Hotelier is pleased to now announce the afternoon sessions, and some of the speakers that will be participating in that portion of the conference.
F&B and Entertainment
The afternoon will kick off with ‘Getting Stuck In: The Dining Experience’, a panel session looking at changing consumption patterns in the dining space, as well as a renewed focus on customer experience. Panellists include Jamie Gannon, group executive chef of Laundy Hotels; Joshua Hillary, food and beverage director at Solotel; and Alex Derrick, director of The Rose & Crown in Brisbane.
“I’m excited to talk at this year’s Summit to discuss the direction of food in pubs and the inclusion of restaurants in the pub industry. The importance of the industry sticking together and learning from each other during these difficult and challenging times is critical,” stated Gannon.
Hillary is keen to discuss the customer experience in particular.
“The Summit has always been a great opportunity to get together and share ideas and insights with a broad cross section of industry leaders.
“In this particular market we’re seeing a greater presence of more discerning guests, who have heightened expectations of the plate in front of them. It’s an exciting and opportune time to be evolving food across the sector, and the Summit is a great forum to share and inspire new ideas for this.”
Beverages will also be a big topic at the Pub Leaders Summit – not only in terms of the stark changes in beverage consumption being observed across the industry – but also due to the external pressures being placed on beverage sales when it comes to pricing and affordability.
Jodie Tiernan, director of Public House Albury – a venue known for its cocktail offering – will bring her perspective to the panel. She will also participate in the Modern Marketing session earlier in the day.
“I’m looking forward to sharing my love of hospitality an knowledge of the industry in this year’s Pub Leaders’ Summit. I’m excited to be discussing the importance of good social media presence and why cocktails should be on everyone’s menu,” stated Tiernan.
More panellists for the Beverages session are to be announced shortly.
Entertainment, which is the great differentiator for pubs among many other hospitality operations, is also a key topic. The panel will look at the various forms of entertainment that are having a resurgence in pubs – from live music to live sport, to group social activities and games.
Joining previously announced speaker James Thorpe, is Paul Walton, MD of ALH Hotels. As Australia’s largest pub group, ALH Hotels is the biggest booker of live music acts in the country. Joining them is Mark Sturdy, MD of Entain Venues. Gold sponsor Entain Venues recently launched Entain Venues Live, broadcasting exclusive new sporting content to the on-premise. Entain Venues also owns a suite of entertainment products, including QuizzaMe, Australian Poker League, and DJBingo.
Personnel and the Future Leaders Scholarship
The conference portion of the Pub Leaders Summit will end on the topic of personnel – specifically looking at the identification of talent with leadership potential, and the various ways in which that talent is fostered, developed and retained. Joining this session is Craig Shearer, founder and director of Kickon Group; and Bianca Dawson, chief training and development officer for Australian Venue Co.
“Fostering emerging talent is something I am really passionate about, particularly when it comes to our venue teams, chefs and future female leaders. I’m excited to unpack the ways that our industry can lead in this space, attracting and nurturing the next generation of hospitality stars,” stated Dawson.
Shearer added: “The Pub Leaders Summit is always such a fun and insightful day. I’m very much looking forward to hearing from all the great presenters and panels, talking all things leadership, as well as seeing so many of our amazing industry participants and partners.”
After this panel session, the winner of the inaugural Australian Hotelier Futures Leaders Scholarship – supported by partners Allara Global and Carlton & United Breweries – will be announced. The winner and nine other finalists will share in a prize pool worth $18,000.
The Pub Leaders Summit will then end with Networking Drinks by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.
More sessions and speakers will be announced in coming weeks. Visit the Pub Leaders Summit website to view the program and purchase tickets.
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