The organisers of Casual Dining, the definitive restaurant, pub and bar event, have revealed their Keynote Speaker line-up for their upcoming show at London ExCeL on 14-15 September.
The seminars take place alongside the event across three Keynote Theatres and offer trade attendees exceptional access to industry leaders and experts.
The multi-award winning two-day trade show is expected to attract over 4000 key buyers and decision makers from many of the country’s biggest casual dining pub groups and restaurant chains, hotels, contract caterers, and independent operators.
Read on to check out some amazing speakers that are attending the show, and some of the shows we will definitely be attending!
Wednesday 14th September
Unleashing Hospitality: Equipping Our Sector To Catalyse Economic Growth
Kate Nicholls OBE, UKHospitality’s CEO, sets out how the sector and Government can work together to deliver an operating environment that would see hospitality driving its own revival, wider national economic recovery, and employment growth, while meeting sustainability commitments.
Interview: Clive Watson, Co-Founder & Chairman, City Pub Co
Clive will be discussing the rise of the City Pub Group, how they got to where they are, and where the current climate for pubs places them in 2022 and beyond.
Time: 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Theatre 2 – pub&bar
Delivering Exceptional Customer Experiences – The BII Panel
In the new world, diversification and excellence in customer service is key to a thriving business. In this unmissable panel Steven Alton and two couples of leading licensees focus on how innovation is key to delivering exceptional customer experiences for everyone, everytime. …
Time: 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Theatre 2 – pub&bar
Menu Innovation in Pubs & Bars
Join some of the leading executive chefs and food developers from the most popular restaurant operators as they examine the challenges and successes they often face when trying to keep their menus innovative and profitable in 2022 and beyond. ..
Time: 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Theatre 2 – pub&bar
Thursday 15th September
Interview: Thomasina Miers, Co-Founder, Wahaca
Wahaca’s mantra is to create a sustainable restaurant business that is ageless and classless.
Make sure you secure your spot early as the inspirational Co-Founder of Wahaca discusses all things restaurants, hospitality and sustainability. Not to be missed.
Time: 11:15 am – 11:45 am
Theatre 1
The Innovation Challenge LIVE – The Pitches
A must attend session for buyers looking to add real innovation to their offer. The most innovative new products & services as voted for by buyers at the Innovation Challenge Gallery on day one of Casual Dining will be pitched live to our panel of judges made up of leading casual dining operators. The judges will then quiz the finalists to determine whether the product is truly innovative.
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Theatre 2 – pub&bar
Discounting in the Casual Dining Sector and its Impact on Brand Perception and Guest Advocacy
Gusto Italian CEO Matt Snell discusses the deeper impact of discounting on restaurant businesses beyond impacts on profit and loss, exploring the correlation between consistent pricing and guest experience, and what the long-term influence is on brand perception. Last year, Gusto Italian shifted focus away from guest facing discounting towards customer loyalty through its Gusto Gold Rewards programme, which has resulted in record level customer feedback scores. Join Matt as he breaks down how the casual dining group achieved an estate-wide Net Promoter Score 25 points above the industry average.
Time: 12:45 pm – 1:15 pm
Theatre: 3
Eating Out: The Next Generation
In the post-Covid world, consumers live, work and play differently which continues to accelerate change at unprecedented levels. In this unique session, IGD will share consumer attitudes towards eating out and the five trends that are driving the recovery and reshaping of the sector.
Time: 1:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Theatre: 3
Marketing for Restaurants
Join this brilliant panel as some of the best marketers from casual dining restaurants in the UK discuss the new innovative ways of marketing their brand to increasingly discerning consumers in 2022 and beyond
Time: 2:15 pm – 2:45 pm
Theatre: 1
Hope to see you at some of these speakers or at Stand CD345!
