Hospitality Tech360 programme to tackle leadership, AI and the future of hospitality

The Hospitality Tech360 show has unveiled its 2026 seminar programme, bringing together hospitality operators, technology specialists and senior leaders to explore how digital tools, data and human insight are shaping the future of the sector.

Taking place at Excel London from 30 March to 1 April 2026 as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week – alongside HRC, IFE, IFE Manufacturing, the Pub Show, Hospitality and International Salon Culinaire – Hospitality Tech360 has been developed as a dedicated platform for hospitality technology, digital strategy and leadership.

The programme will be delivered across two stages, the Tech Talks Theatre and the Hospitality Leaders Forum, with sessions led by hospitality operators and specialists alongside technology and marketing experts working closely with the sector.

The Hospitality Leaders Forum will bring together senior figures to discuss how technology intersects with leadership, decision-making and commercial performance. Industry leaders including Gavin Smith, CEO of Pizza Pilgrims; Sarah Pope, CIO and IT director at Big Table Group; Shereen Ritchie, CEO of Kuvi; Tim Doubleday, CFO at Burger King UK; Tom James, managing director at Bill’s Restaurants, will be discussing everything from leadership to innovative kitchen tech to the women driving the future of hospitality tech.

The stage will also see a keynote session from AI content and prompt engineering strategist Georgia Lewis Anderson, who will share practical principles for designing AI interactions that feel natural, helpful and on brand.

Tommy Giraux, head of restaurant systems at Honest Burgers, will lead a session on AI forecasting and its practical realities for hospitality leaders. “It’s one of the few events where the conversation goes beyond hype,” he said. “If you’re a CEO, CFO or operations leader trying to understand where AI genuinely adds value, this session is for you.”

Simone Puorto, head of emerging trends and strategic innovation at Hospitality Net, will bring a strategic and human-centred perspective to the Hospitality Leaders Forum. “I’m looking forward to speaking at Hospitality Tech360 because it brings together the people shaping where hospitality is heading,” he said. “As technology accelerates, it’s vital we take a step back and ask what truly creates value – for guests, teams and businesses alike.”

Prezzo CTO David Broom; Kieron Williams, IT director at Brunning & Price and PizzaExpress customer technology director Ross Pyres will discuss a strategic choice facing every hospitality business: bespoke tech or off-the-shelf?

Pyres commented: “There’s plenty of healthy debate around what the focus should be for hospitality brands from a digital perspective right now, and I’m looking forward to discussing this with the panel. We’ll be providing a first-hand look at how data integration can provide value to brands, from improving efficiencies, to empowering our teams and of course, elevating the experience of our customers.”

Human connection and word-of-mouth will be explored by Harry Jones, head of marketing at QVO Hospitality, as part of a session examining trust, recommendation and influence within hospitality.

In the Tech Talks Theatre, sessions will focus on real-world experiences of implementing and using technology within hospitality businesses. Speakers include Thomas Texido, operations manager at Casa do Frango, who will explore the impact of well-integrated systems on hospitality operations. “I’m keen to share what I believe genuinely works when it comes to implementing technology,” he said. “This session is about practical ideas you can actually use.”

Also speaking on Tech Talks Theatre is Gregers Knudsen, co-founder and CEO of Monotree, who will address the importance of listening to teams when introducing new technology. “Expensive tech is useless if your team hates using it,” he said. “This session looks at how to build a people-first approach to technology adoption.”

Jo Lynch, KAM account director, will moderate a number of sessions across Hospitality Tech360 and HRC, bringing a joined-up perspective to conversations spanning technology, operations and guest experience.

“What excites me about moderating these sessions is the chance to connect real operator challenges with the technology shaping the future of hospitality,” she said. “Hospitality Tech360 creates the space for honest, practical discussion about what’s genuinely moving the needle.”

Previously the Hospitality Sector Council (HSC) revealed it will launch the trial phase of the new Hospitality Innovation Lab during the Hospitality Tech360 show to identify and trial new technology solutions.