PEOPLE. IDEAS. SOLUTIONS.

Informal networking and coffee service. Registration desk open.

Speaker: John Hart OAM

A sector-wide briefing on workforce gaps, economic outlook, migration, and skills pathways. This keynote sets the tone for the day: there is no future for industry or tourism without people.

About the Speaker 

National President, Restaurant & Catering Association

John Hart OAM is the National President of the Restaurant & Catering Association, representing Australia’s largest network of hospitality operators. With over 40 years of experience in tourism and hospitality, John has held leadership roles across industry, government, and training.

He is the Past Executive Chair of the Australian Chamber of Tourism, and currently serves as Chair of Australian Grape & Wine and the National Tourism Industry Training Committee. John also sits on the boards of Tourism Australia, Restaurant & Catering Australia, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and Foodservice Association Australia.

John’s career has spanned operational, human resources, and industrial relations roles, backed by a Bachelor of Commerce (Business Law) and a Master of Business Law. In 2021, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to tourism.

A long-time advocate for skills development, workforce sustainability, and industry collaboration, John is recognised as one of the most influential voices in shaping the future of Australia’s hospitality and tourism sectors.

Speaker: Karen Jones, CEO, Destination NSW 

A focused update on how the visitor economy shapes employment, training demand, and local opportunity – from event-led growth to international travel trends. Includes 5-minute Q&A.

About the Speaker

Karen Jones is CEO of Destination NSW, appointed 2 June 2025. With over 27 years in state and local government, she previously led the NSW Office of Sport. She’s now steering the agency through record visitor spend, major events, and a transformative growth phase—including preparations for Western Sydney International Airport and a new Visitor Economy Strategy.

Working Morning Tea: Delivery Trends in Focus
 Presenter: Alana Brittain, Director – Restaurants Expansion, Uber Eats

Morning tea with a difference. As you connect with peers over coffee, Uber Eats will share fresh insights into how delivery platforms are shaping consumer behaviour, influencing menu design, and impacting workforce models.

Themes explored:
- Current delivery and ordering trends across Australia
- What consumer expectations mean for kitchens and service flow
- How venues can leverage delivery without losing margin
- The role of digital platforms in workforce planning and efficiency

Key takeaway:
 Understand where delivery fits into today’s foodservice mix — and how to use it as a strategic tool for growth, customer connection, and operational resilience.

Lead Insight: Jenny Lambert, National Policy Director, Accommodation Australia

Workforce development starts with access – and location matters. Jenny Lambert presents key findings from her recent research on apprenticeships, including participation, skills acquisition, and employment issues.

Themes explored:

• Attracting and retaining apprentices

• Culinary skills acquisition

• The role of international education in skills development

• Practical strategies to reduce friction and unlock training potential

Why it matters:
We can’t fix workforce shortages without fixing the systems around them. This session examines the operational realities shaping apprenticeship uptake and

About the Speaker

Jenny Lambert, National Policy Director. Jenny has over four decades of experience in policy and advocacy, with a particular focus on the tourism and hospitality sectors.  She commenced her industry association career as the industrial and research officer at the national office of the AHA.  After a few years as project manager and deputy CEO for the tourism industry training advisory body, Jenny took on her first CEO role as head of Restaurant & Catering NSW and then national R&CA.  Jenny then headed up three industry bodies, being Meetings & Events Australia, Nursery & Garden Industry and then the National Tourism Alliance.   For the last decade, Jenny has served as a policy director with one of Australia’s peak business bodies, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, of which Accommodation Australia will continue to be an active member.  At ACCI, Jenny specialised in policy issues relating to skills, education, migration, employment and tourism. 

Opening Insight: Entertainment Group
Moderator: Entertainment Representative
Panel: Steve Sidd (Catering HQ), Suresh Manickam (CEO, Restaurant & Catering Association), Marion Fitzpatrick (TAFE)

Consumer spend hasn’t disappeared — it’s shifted. This session combines new consumer spend insights with a practical panel unpacking how behaviour is reshaping operations, staff requirements, and training models.

Discussion points:

• What’s driving consumer decisions in food and tourism

• How behaviours are impacting kitchen workflows and menus

• The soft skills and digital skills now required on the floor

• What venues and educators must do to stay in step

Why it matters:
You can’t train tomorrow’s workforce based on yesterday’s customers. This session brings real-time insights into how consumer behaviour is reshaping workforce demands.

About the Speakers

Steve Sidd

Steve Sidd, Group Managing Director of Catering HQ, has led the business from a single restaurant at age 18 to a hospitality network with 26 concepts, 40+ event spaces, and 350+ staff. He’s the creator of Hospitality Genie software and is launching a franchising model to share his innovative, people-first approach across regional venues.

John Hart OAM
John Hart OAM is the National President of the Restaurant & Catering Association, representing Australia’s largest network of hospitality operators. With over 40 years of experience in tourism and hospitality, John has held leadership roles across industry, government, and training.

Marion Fitzpatrick
Marion Fitzpatrick is Director of the Hospitality, Travel, Tourism, Events and Personal Services Faculty at TAFE NSW. With over 30 years of experience, Marion’s career began as a chef in Europe before moving to Australia to work in prestigious establishments. She has coached young chefs to international success with WorldSkills Australia and now leads training innovation, strategic partnerships, and agile teams across the VET sector. Marion holds trade qualifications and postgraduate degrees in Education, Leadership, and Management, including an MBA.

Speaker: John Reed, Director LPC 

Rising costs and tough lease terms are putting Australian hospitality businesses at risk.

Gain practical advice on handling rent hikes, repair disputes, and insolvency risks.

About the Speaker

John Reed is a director and shareholder at LPC, where he advises the leadership team on strategies to help commercial tenants turn their lease portfolios into a driver of business success.

His property experience includes leading property service organisations and consulting to clients on complex leasing and property management requirements. John understands the pressures hospitality businesses face: unpredictable trading conditions, rising occupancy costs, and inflexible lease terms. John is passionate about providing conflict-free advice that puts tenants’ interests first.

At LPC, John champions the company’s mission to put business before space, ensuring lease terms, location strategy, and occupancy costs support profitability, customer experience, and long-term growth.

Buffet lunch provided.

Informal networking encouraged.

This session explores the regional vs metro workforce divide and the decline in enrolments for Diplomas and Degrees in hospitality and tourism.

Discussion themes: the leadership gap, preparing managers vs hiring hands, pathways for mature workers, and reframing the value of qualifications.

About the Speakers
Garry Stokes
Garry Stokes is an experienced hospitality educator and MC with more than 40 years in commercial cookery, hotel operations, and training. He has spent over two decades teaching across public and private education sectors and holds postgraduate qualifications in Adult Education and Management. Garry has been honoured as Trainer of the Year by Service Skills Australia, recognised by TAFE NSW for team development, and awarded the Legend of Hospitality by Tourism Training Australia. He has also served as President of the Tourism, Hospitality & Catering Institute of Australia and as a long-time Board Director of Tourism Training Australia.

Brad Bennett

Brad Bennett is the founder and CEO of Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute, with over 40 years in the hospitality industry—from kitchen hands to international educator. Known for practical, culture-rich training, his institute was named Oceania’s best in 2023. Brad’s accolades include Global Gastronomy Ambassador, VET Legends Recognition, and a World Master Chefs Medal for teaching excellence. 

Javed Khan

Javed Khan, Metro Operator and NSW R&CA Council Member, is the founder of Delhi ’O’ Delhi and Foreign Return. With 15+ years running award-winning Sydney restaurants, an MBA in Hotel Leadership, and training initiatives through Skillflex, Javed is a respected voice for metropolitan operators navigating workforce, consumer, and operational challenges.

Lee Cecchin

Lee Cecchin is a chef and educator with 40+ years’ experience across patisserie, desserts, butchery, and international cuisines. A member of Les Toques Blanches, she is dedicated to flexible, accessible training and is known for mentoring students well beyond classroom hours. Lee champions teamwork, leadership, and professionalism as the foundations of hospitality excellence.

Speaker:  Robyn Adcock
National Placement Manager – Cyber & Technology, Gallagher Australia

Cyber attacks aren’t just an IT issue — they can disrupt service, put staff at risk, and damage customer trust. This session provides clear steps hospitality businesses can take to protect data, staff, and operations.

About the Speaker

Robyn Adcock, National Placement Manager – Cyber & Technology at Gallagher, has 25+ years in professional and financial risk management. Known for simplifying complex cyber risks, she works closely with businesses, insurers, and government to build practical, effective strategies. A global cyber advocate, Robyn helps organisations move from awareness to action on resilience and security.

Networking break with refreshments.

Delegates choose one of the below focused breakout sessions.

• Track 1: Investing in People:
  The Power of Financial Wellbeing
  Hosted by Hostplus 
  Adding value to your people with a high performing superannuation find.
  
  Key takeaway: Financial stress is often the hidden cause of physical and mental health issues. By supporting your workforce’s financial wellbeing and adopting a long-term investment strategy, you can create lasting value for your people and your business.

• Track 2: Energy in Action
  Hosted by Choice Energy 

  Energy is one of the biggest cost pressures for hospitality and tourism businesses — but it doesn’t have to be. This session shows how smarter energy use and market expertise can cut costs and unlock savings.
  
  Key takeaway: Take control of your energy bills and reinvest savings back into your business.