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

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