BUSINESS & TECH STAGE

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

STRATEGY. SYSTEMS. FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY.

The Business & Tech Stage explores the forces shaping the future of hospitality, from high-growth quick service models to broader industry transformation. Across two distinct days, the program examines how hospitality businesses build scale, improve performance and strengthen long-term resilience through better systems, smarter operations and strategic decision-making.

DAY 1: QSR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

The Future of QSR Operations
Systems. Scale. Demand.

The QSR Leadership Summit explores what it takes to build, scale and future-proof a successful quick service business.

As competition intensifies and growth becomes harder to achieve, the focus shifts from expansion alone to building high-performing operations that can scale sustainably.

Through CEO insights, operational playbooks, market intelligence, franchising strategies, digital growth and the opportunities presented by Brisbane 2032, the day follows the journey of a modern QSR business navigating an increasingly competitive and fast-moving market.

What you’ll take away
A clearer understanding of how to build efficient, scalable QSR businesses that can grow sustainably in a competitive environment.

DAY 2: BUSINESS & HOSPITALITY INNOVATION STAGE

The Future of Hospitality Operations
Systems. Revenue. People.

The Business & Tech Stage on Day 2 explores how hospitality businesses can operate more efficiently, grow revenue and build resilient teams in a rapidly evolving industry.

Bringing together operators, technology leaders and industry experts, the program examines the systems, strategies and innovations shaping the future of hospitality beyond QSR.

From technology and automation to guest data, leadership and sustainable profitability, the day is designed to help businesses run smarter, perform better and build long-term resilience across all hospitality formats.

What you’ll take away
Practical insights into how hospitality businesses can improve performance, strengthen operations and build more sustainable models for growth.

INSIGHTS FROM THE TOP

HEAR DIRECTLY FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Paul Ayyash
Hospitality Service Consultant / Hospo Dojo
Robert Smithson
Head of Culinary / Dnata
Steven Minnikin
Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business / Queensland Government
Gustav Lammerding
Head Of Marketing / Banjo's
Alexandra Preece
General Manager / Gradi Group
Danielle Dixon
Chef & Head of Curriculum / Institute of Culinary Excellence
Kristie Booker
FMCG Director / Imagine Collective
Tanaya Treadwell
CEO / Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce
Donna Kramer
Co-Founder / Aruga - PR Agency
Joel Cox
Marketing Director / Beetle Digital
Adam Theobald
Founder & CEO / Ordermentum
Linda Dang
Director & Hospitality Accountant / Evisory
Simon Dell
CEO & Founder / Queensland Government Mentor for Growth / Cemoh
Clare Riley
Managing Editor / Restaurant Business
Shane Flanagan
Head of Partnerships / me&u
Nahshon Pinto
Director | Queensland Government Mentor for Growth / 7 Tiles Consulting
Leah Dunnigan
T25 Aus Bartender of the Year '25 / Savile Row
Laura Goldberg
Chief Operating Officer / Hurricane's Grill
Joel Chrystal
Culinary and Hospitality Consultant / Imagine Collective
Paul Rifkin
Hospitality Consultant & Chef Coach / chefpaulrifkin consulting
Katrina Costigan
Owner/Operator / UVA Wine Bar
Clayton Costigan
Chef/Owner / Bergen Restaurant
Renee Brown
Vineyard Manager / Rosalie House
Isaac Moody
Managing Director/Owner / The Baker's Duck
Keary Shandler
Sustainability Consultant /
Chris Thompson
Head of Growth / Yume Food
Katie Barton-Harvey
Project Coordinator / Boomerang Alliance
Alexander Bell
Chemical engineer & Founder / Milton Distillery
Venessa Barnes
Co-Founder / FoodLogic
Elias Rikos
Marketing Director / Pink Pickle Marketing
Rod Fowler
Director / Food Industry Foresight
    Location
  • Aged Care Catering Summit
  • Café Success Stage
  • Chef's Table
  • Coffee Future Lab
  • Craft & Pizza Demos
  • The Business Stage
    Format
  • Demonstration
  • Fireside
  • Individual
  • Panel
  • Workshop
    Type
  • Disruptive Dialogues
  • Paid
Reset
Sun 12 Oct 2025
Mon 13 Oct 2025
All days
Innovations in Australian Coffee
Sunday 12 October 2025
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Coffee Future Lab
How to Launch a Successful Restaurant
Sunday 12 October 2025
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
The Business Stage
Innovative Origins Cupping
Sunday 12 October 2025
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Coffee Future Lab
Part 1 – The Changing Landscape
Sunday 12 October 2025
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Coffee Future Lab
Celebrating QLD's Catch
Sunday 12 October 2025
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Chef's Table
Playing to Your Strengths: Meeting Standard 6 with Smart Menu Design
Monday 13 October 2025
11:00 am
Aged Care Catering Summit (Separate Ticket Required)
"If I Had $100k..." Strategic Investment Planning
Monday 13 October 2025
12:15 pm
Aged Care Catering Summit (Separate Ticket Required)
Weird and Whacky Cupping
Monday 13 October 2025
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Coffee Future Lab
Part 2 – Shaping the Future
Monday 13 October 2025
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Coffee Future Lab

BUSINESS & TECH STAGE

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY