Agenda
The UK's leading conference for the pioneers of hospitality's AI, tech and digital revolution is back! Book your places for the full day's conference, taking place from 10am to 4.30pm
Hostech 2025
The 2025 Agenda
Where is AI leading us, and how is hospitality positioned to benefit? These are some of the big questions hospitality tech leader Arslan Sharif will look to answer in a special landscape and futurist session. Having directed digital strategy for a host of iconic brands including PizzaExpress, Costa and Whitbread, he’ll explore global trends inside and outside the sector, what can be learned from these developments, and the pros and cons of being a first mover on tech adoption.
With the acquisition of wine bar chain Vagabond from administration last year, specialist wine retailer Majestic has become an omnichannel business, unlocking the power of a combined customer data pool stretching back decades. John will discuss how Majestic is leveraging Vagabond’s proprietary wine vending tech, tapping into wine bar’s younger consumer base for cross-selling opportunities, and how he is bringing learnings from his former employer Screwfix into play at the wine business.
Hospitality operators are facing a tension as costs rise and profits are challenged – while the need for investment is greater than ever. This panel will explore how smart digital investment in everything from labour management, operations modelling, procurement, loyalty and marketing, remains essential. When investing, what are the key future-proof foundations to support growth?
It’s all change at Tortilla, the burrito specialist with 122 stores in total across the UK, France and the UAE. It has a new senior team, new investors and recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with KAIKAKU, a business specialising in robotics and food. In this session, Andy and Josef describe how the collaboration came about, where they see the opportunity both for hardware and AI driven software automation, and how such partnerships may shape the future for restaurants.
A major technology transformation is underway at Creams, spanning ePOS, inventory management, customer ordering, and delivery integration across 100 UK restaurants. Drawing on experience from Pizza Hut Canada and Freshii Inc., Oliver will focus on the human side of technology rollouts—how to align franchisees and key stakeholders for successful adoption. As COO, he understands the balance between technical execution and change management, ensuring technology delivers value by securing buy-in from those who use it every day.
le AI is hotly tipped to transform UK hospitality business. But what are the applications which offer most potential? Our panellists share proven and planned AI driven projects, from customer and team focused solutions to data informed revenue growth management.
The customer experience now begins well before guests physically set foot into a venue, but when they first explore a brand’s online presence or reservation platform. This panel will explore the digital tools and platforms they use to enhance brand visibility, engage with guests, and drive bookings, including social media engagement and the role of data analytics in shaping successful marketing campaigns.
With more than 1 million downloads, live in 700+ managed venues, and winner of MCA’s Best use of Tech award, Stonegate’s MiXR platform is described as a game changer by Britain’s biggest pub group. In this presentation, Joe and Laurence will discuss the rise of the platform and role in the digital ecosystem, alongside insights and learnings. Combining a consumer app and a retail media network, they will share engaging users leads to a guest first approach; harnessing first party data to deliver a personalised experience; and how MiXR is driving the hospitality flywheel.
When Tom was appointed MD in 2022 he identified that Bill’s was well behind the tech curve. Since then, his team has implemented major changes and driven significant growth. Tom will reflect on progress so far and share the plan to 2027, designed to enable the Bill’s estate of 47 restaurants to capitalise on the many advantages technology offers our sector
Our panel unpicks the issues and opportunity around customer data, how to drive relationship and loyalty in a highly competitive marketplace, and the role and future of delivery.