Hospitality Expo draws approval

The overwhelming response from the 180 exhibitors at this year’s packed Hospitality Expo held in the RDS Simmonscourt on 25th and 26th February was of strong business interest from the significant attendance of real decision-makers from the industry – owners, proprietors, managers, directors and executives from owner-managed and group/chain operations, reports Hospitality Expo organiser Business Post Events & iQuest.

Sixty-seven per cent of attendees were decision-makers in their respective businesses while 98% of visitors indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with this exclusive trade event.

Nearly half (47.05%) of attendees were directors or proprietors while a further 16.4% were senior managers with decision-making powers.

This year’s Hospitality Expo offered the latest in hospitality trends and products as well as seminars and competitions.

“Hospitality Expo is a once every two years opportunity for suppliers into the industry to meet and do business with owners, operators and decision-makers from across the country,” said Sarah Murphy, Managing Director of Business Post Events, “We were delighted with the positive feedback received in our first year as organisers and look forward to building on that success, ensuring this industry-leading event remains at the forefront of hospitality in Ireland for decades to come.”

 

Hospitality Expo theme

The theme of this year’s event – ‘Collaboration is the Key to Success’ – was discussed in detail on the four seminar stages over the course of both days – the Hospitality Summit Stage, the Technology Summit Stage, the Fit Out Summit Stage and the Synergy Pro Chef Forum.

Various speakers brought the crowd up-to-date with the latest developments in the market and Irish Pub of the Year Winner and former VFI President Pat Crotty from Paris Texas in Kilkenny also spoke at the event.

Other speakers included Adrienne Hanna from Right Revenue, DTA Marketing’s Marc Thornton, Upsell Guru’s Nicola Hawitt and Derek Butler from Grid Finance.

At the Hospitality Summit Stage, attendees heard about how to recruit and retain the best staff, secure finance to upgrade their venues, discussion on the latest food trends and how to maximise revenue from investment.

At the Technology Summit Stage, experts advised on how operators can increase their social media presence and how the latest technology can aid businesses.

Speakers included Virgin Media’s IT Infrastructure Project Lead Noel O’Reilly and Flipdish Founder Conor McCarthy.

The Fit Out Summit Stage featured a showcase and study of the regeneration of Central Dublin’s One Dublin Plaza, including the new 500-seater restaurant, by the Director of Serendipity By Design Rebecca Gernon and Millimetre Design’s Ronan Holohan. Other speakers included the Head of Research at Knight Frank property advisors John Ring and Rachel Kenny, Director of Planning at An Bord Pleanála.

The Synergy Pro Chef Forum, a specially-designed conference for culinary professionals, made a welcome return and included talks from Rational Ovens Sales Manager John Rutherford and Keelings Farm Fresh Business Development Manager Peter Thompson.

For the first time ever, Hospitality Expo hosted a Sports Bar Showcase where three of Ireland’s leading brands joined forces to create and build a state-of-the-art sports bar within the RDS Simmonscourt.

Virgin Media Business was on hand to offer advice on connectivity and entertainment; Pure Fit Out discussed design and build options with attendees and AVL showcased industry-leading lighting and sound options to create the perfect ambiance for any venue.

At the Business Advice Centre companies including Grid Finance, TU Dublin, Buy Media and Trinity Purchasing offered free one-to-one professional advice and mentoring on the issues affecting the industry.

Details of the next Hospitality Expo and of Fit Out Expo 2021 will be announced shortly.