Talking Trends

Dan Hong has worked in some of the most prestigious restaurants in Australia. He began his career in the kitchen of his family’s Vietnamese restaurant chain, Thanh Binh, in Sydney. Then went on to develop his culinary skills at an elite list of Sydney restaurants including Longrain and Marque, where

Owner and Baker of Bakehouse by Vic! Bringing New York inspired flavours and treats to Melbourne.

Colin Birney leads business development for Square Australia, helping hospitality and retail businesses unlock growth through innovative payment and commerce solutions. With a strong track record in the food and beverage sector, Square partners with cafés, restaurants, and bars to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive sustainable success.

Trav Harvey is the CEO of HospoDECLARE, a pioneering initiative empowering hospitality venues to lead in sustainability through practical, everyday actions that reduce waste, emissions, and disposables.Trav is a chef, educator, and food sustainability leader known for his work in zero-waste cooking and social impact. As Exec Chef at OzHarvest,

Retail Operations for Stitch Cafes.

Lucas Howe is Head of Communications for Square in Australia and Japan, helping share the stories of small businesses using technology to thrive. A champion of hospitality and its role in building stronger communities, Lucas works closely with operators, innovators and industry leaders to spotlight the people shaping the future

Started as a home baker in 2019. A self learnt cake designer and Cafe owner now with 2 pop up locations.

Lorenzo Fantarella is the co-founder of Pasta Prego, one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing pasta brands. With a background in finance, he brings a strategic edge to scaling hospitality businesses.

Nick Lo is the Head of Operations at The Big Group, managing some of Melbourne’s most iconic venues and majors and high-profile events. He is passionate about blending smart systems, great teamwork, and creative problem-solving to create unforgettable guest experiences.

Jess Colgan is the CEO of All Things Equal, a Melbourne-based social enterprise café and catering operation that creates award-wage hospitality careers for people with disability through hands-on training, practical support, and a structured three-stage employment pathway. She is also the co-founder of GingerSnap Patisserie, a plant-based dessert brand created