The Restaurant Show 2019 show will bring together some of the industry’s biggest names to tackle the most pressing issues facing the sector. From culinary trends, to technology and employee engagement and wellbeing – it’s all up for discussion at the UK hospitality sector’s event of the year, which returns to Kensington Olympia from 30th September to 2nd October, featuring both the Bar & Pub Expo and Catering Equipment Expo.

​

Not to be missed is the chance to hear from one of the casual dining sector’s biggest players, PizzaExpress, with insight from Zoe Bowley, the brand’s UK and Ireland Managing Director. Taking place on Tuesday 1st October, this in-depth discussion will cover how the brand has strived to stay relevant in a fast-changing casual dining market. There will be real-life insights from the Leeds and London sites that were the testing beds for the brand’s dynamic redesign, alongside plenty of looking to the future.

 

Game on with itsu and Starbucks

 

On Tuesday 1st October, the ‘True Players’ session will reveal how two industry-leading brands, Starbucks and itsu, inspire and engage staff through gamification and analytics. Both of these hospitality big hitters are harnessing gamified tech solutions to excite, engage and inspire employees and nail key KPIs like customer experience, staff retention and sales. It’s another unmissable session offering you actionable insights and the chance to learn how to adopt a smarter approach at your own venue.

 

Industry spotlight

 

If you want to really get under the skin of the latest trends and the biggest challenges facing the hospitality sector, you’ll want to hear from Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality. As a driving force in the industry, Kate has a lot to say on the current climate and what’s next. Taking place on Wednesday 2nd October, Kate will be answering the questions that matter and delving deep into the issues at the heart of the industry.

 

Wellbeing and your workforce 

 

With Generation Z and Millennials now making up a significant part of the workforce, the culture has changed, but have you adapted? Current statistics show that over 90 per cent of Millennials don’t expect to stay in their jobs for the next two years. So, if you’re failing to engage them, you could risk losing talent. On Tuesday 1st October, The Restaurant Show will bring together an expert panel to discuss thinking differently about culture in the workplace. Featuring a two-time Olympian and several successful hospitality businesses, the panel will showcase approaches from sports and psychotherapy that can help create a hard-working, trusting and happy workforce ready to boost your bottom line.

 

Tech trends you need to know

 

There’s another chance to hear from PizzaExpress, when their Head of Customer Technology, Matt Broom, joins a panel on Monday 30th September to talk all things tech. If you’ve ever thought that online ordering or ‘click and collect’ wasn’t for you, this panel session will have you reconsidering. David Charlton of Zonal Marketing Technologies joins Matt Broom to talk about the tech than can really make an operator’s life easier, both streamlining ordering and boosting efficiency.

 

Also talking tech at the show will be Allison Page of Seven Rooms, in a discussion on Wednesday 2nd October entitled ‘Alexa, who’s on Table 7? – Bringing Voice Tech To The Table’. If you’re unsure of how voice tech could work for your business, this session is set to reveal all, showing you how to harness the power of this exciting, new technology for frictionless service.

 

Register now for the event of the year

 

The Restaurant Show is the place to find inspiration, learn about the latest trends, source products and suppliers or simply network with friends and colleagues in the industry. To find out more about speakers, sessions and exhibitors, and register to attend the show this year, go to: www.therestaurantshow.co.uk

 

It’s free to visit and the visitor badge will give full access to the trade show, which includes a dedicated Bar & Pub zone and the Catering Equipment Expo run in association with Bunzl Lockhart Catering Equipment. 

 

Be the first to hear show news and speaker announcements by following @restaurantshow on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RestaurantShowUK/