HRC reveals speaker line-up for 2022

Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) has unveiled its 2022 seminar programme, with an all-star line-up of hospitality brands and industry leaders taking place on the 21-23 March at ExCeL London.

HRC has partnered with EXP101 for this year’s event to curate the programme of content for the Vision Stage, designed by Harp Design, which will be focussing on a range of timely topics and trends affecting hoteliers, publicans, restaurateurs and professional caterers.

After a two-year period, which has seen significant evolution in the use of hospitality tech, the show’s Tech X stage will host sessions examining best practice in implementing new technology and where to make smart investments for hospitality businesses.

HRC event manager, Ronda Annesley, explained: “HRC 2022 is jam-packed with content tackling some of the most important topics, challenges, and opportunities in the world of foodservice and hospitality.

“We’re thrilled to be working with some fantastic content partners who have brought exciting new insights, speakers and talking points to this year’s seminar programme.”

Day one of the show will kick off with ‘The return of the pub’ on the Vision Stage, during which KAM, the British Institute of Innkeeping, Louise Maclean of Signature Pubs and Anthony Pender of Yummy Pubs will be discussing the impact that the past two years have had on the pub and bar sector and some of the new opportunities that have emerged since restrictions eased in the UK.

One of the biggest challenges to emerge in recent years has been staffing shortages in the hospitality and foodservice industry, and 21 March will see an all-star panel hosted by Keiron Bailey of EXP101 and featuring Chris Gamm of Springboard, Mark McCulloch, founder of Hospitality Rising, Abi Dunn of Sixty Eight People and UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls take to the stage to discuss the changing approaches needed in recruitment and retention.

Dunn commented: "We've seen operators struggling with staff shortages throughout the pandemic at all levels, not just in recruitment but also in retention. Some of the more successful businesses to tackle this have collaborated with marketing teams, made smart use of technology and have understood that there is a need to invest in people.”

Day two of the show will see HRC’s chef ambassador Michel Roux Jr take to the stage to discuss shifting kitchen cultures with a panel of top UK chefs, followed by Katie Rose, CFO and COO of Market Halls and Andy Dyson, business development director – new concepts at Revolution, revealing how diversifying your offering can grow and protect your business.

The third and final day of HRC will be putting people on the agenda with a session from The People Collective featuring John Mason of Sideways, Leanne Tester, learning & development manager at Pizza Pilgrims, Grind’s head of people Preeya Parker and Avi Collins, head of people at Tapas Revolution.

Tech on Toast Editor and EXP101 Founder Chris Fletcher will then be joined on stage by pointOne EPoS founder Steven Rolfe, Dub Lee of Honest Burgers and William Connors of Popeyes for a discussion around all things digital transformation, and how technology has elevated the online offering of leading hospitality brands.

For full information on the seminar programme click here