National Restaurant Conference
The National Restaurant Conference gives you the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and experts on how to improve your business. It is a full day of ideas, inspiration and practical advice. Come along with your senior staff and stay up to date with new ideas and trends.
We are living in one of the most volatile and fast-paced business periods in history. Staff shortages, supply chain issues, inflation, health compliance, high consumer expectations, and technology innovation are all contributing to the rapid rate of change. The National Restaurant Conference is a one-day event that will help arm you with an all-new toolkit, ready to take on these new challenges.
This annual event is presented in conjunction with Restaurant & Catering Australia and will run in Melbourne on Monday 19 May 2025.
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Who should attend?
The conference is ideal for restaurateurs, cafe operators, caterers, chefs and suppliers. Owners and senior managers will get the most out of this event, but it is open to anyone working in the hospitality industry. It is priced so you can bring your whole team.
Who is speaking?
There will be 26 speakers, who are all leaders and innovators in the hospitality space.
When? Monday 19 May 2025. Sessions will run from 9am-4pm with time to explore the tradeshow.
Where? The conference will run at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. This world class venue offers easy parking, public transport and hotel options. As a bonus the conference will run right alongside the Foodservice Australia exhibition, showcasing the latest food and equipment for your business.
Cost?
Delegate Ticket - $198
This including all sessions, lunch and entry to the tradeshow.
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2024 Speakers included:
Neil Perry AM
Margaret
David Bitton
The Bitton Group
George Calombaris
Hellenic House Project
Nelly Robinson
NEL Restaurant
Claire Van Vuuren
Bloodwood
Andy Ball
The Burnt Chef Project
Mitch Orr
Kiln
Jeanine Bribosia
The Cru Agency
Morgan McGlone
Bar Copains
Gemma Duff
Poor Toms
Brett Robinson
The Point
Adam Theobald
ORDERMENTUM
Suresh Manickam
R&CA
Ken Burgin
Foodie Coaches
Glenn Flood
Leadership Trainer
Belinda Clarke
FOODIE COACHES
Natalie Pizzini
Pizzini Wines
Richard McLeod
Loaded
Maria Barona
Encasa
Vanessa Walker
Dunkirk Hotel & Oriental Hotel Tumut
Geremy Glew
Placed Recruitment
Phil Dawson
Ruby Lane
Liam Crawley
Hospo for Life
Con Dedes
The Dedes Waterfront Group
Giulia Treuner
Giuls
Ivan Brewer
Peiso
Richard Bettles
Pablo & Rusty's Coffee Roasters
2024 Program included:
8.30am
Registration and Coffee
8.50am
Introduction and Welcome
Glenn Flood – Leadership Trainer
9.00am
The State of the Industry
Mr Suresh Manickam – CEO, Restaurant and Catering Association
9.30am
The Digital Restaurant: Enhancing Customer Experience through Technology
Adam Theobald – Ordermentum
Richard McLeod - Loaded
Ivan Brewer - Peiso
10.00am
How to Attract and Keep a Highly Productive Team
Belinda Clarke - Foodie Coaches
Geremy Glew - Placed Recruitment
Phil Dawson - Ruby Lane
Con Dedes - The Dedes Waterfront Group
10.30am
Morning Tea
10.50am
One on one with Neil Perry
Neil Perry AM - Margaret
11.30am
Crafting Memorable Experiences: The Art of Hospitality
Nelly Robinson – Nel Restaurant
Claire Van Vuuren - Bloodwood
Giulia Treuner - Giuls
12.00pm
Creating a Positive Mental Health Culture
Andy Ball – JRM Hospitality & Recruitment and Ambassador for The Burnt Chef
Mitch Orr- Kiln
Liam Crawley - Hospo for Life
12.30pm
Lunch and Visit to Foodservice Australia
2.00pm
Marketing Matters: Branding, Social Media and PR
David Bitton - The Bitton Group
Jeanine Bribosia - The Cru Agency
Brett Robinson - The Point
2.30pm
Wine and Beverage Innovations: Beyond the Glass
Gemma Duff - Poor Toms
Morgan McGlone - Bar Copains
Natalie Pizzini - Pizzini Wines
3.00pm
One on One with George Calombaris
George Calombaris - Hellenic House Project
3.30pm
Working with Suppliers to Cut Costs and Boost Sales
Ken Burgin - Foodie Coaches
Maria Barona - Encasa
Vanessa Walker - Dunkirk Hotel and Oriental Hotel Tumut
Richard Bettles - Pablo & Rusty's Coffee Roasters
4.00pm
Summit Conclusion
Glenn Flood – Leadership Trainer