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31 AUG - 3 SEP 2026 | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
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Education stageFree to attend

Talking Tech & Business

Education Stage

Register Free
  • 31 August - 3 September 2026
  • Talking Tech & Business Stage, Show Floor

The Tools, Tactics and Thinking Shaping Tomorrow's Operators

Talking Tech & Business cuts through the noise with practical insights on how AI, automation, data and digital tools can streamline operations, sharpen decision-making and keep your venue competitive.

2026 Talking Tech & Business Agenda

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Mon Aug 31
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Beyond Points: Building Emotional Loyalty in Hospitality

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
How venues create lasting customer relationships through personalisation, community, experiences, subscriptions, memberships, and data-driven engagement rather than relying solely on discounts and points.
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Mon Aug 31
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

Design From the Guest Out

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Most venues begin with a trend, competitor or floor plan. Learn how starting with the guest helps shape smarter investment decisions, stronger operations and more distinctive, resilient and profitable businesses.
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Paul Wainwright
Harrison
Design Director / Partner
Mon Aug 31
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

The Roadmap for Launching a Successful Hospitality Business

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Launching a successful hospitality business takes far more than a great idea. In this practical keynote, hospitality consultant Paul Ayyash shares the four critical stages every operator should work through before opening their doors. Drawing…
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Tue Sep 1
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

THE REGULARS: Why people come back, and what you can do about it

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
In a market where diners are spending more carefully and choosing their favourites with greater intention, the venues winning repeat business are those that get the fundamentals right: atmosphere, consistency, and a genuine sense of…
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Tia Spanos Tsonis
Vanilla Lounge Oakleigh
Co-Owner
Leo De Bartolo
Toast Hospitality
Founder
Tue Sep 1
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

The AI-Powered Venue: Enhancing Teams, Service and Profitability

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Practical applications of AI across hospitality operations, including workforce scheduling, forecasting, menu engineering, inventory management, guest communications, and service optimisation. Focus on measurable business outcomes.
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Tue Sep 1
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

From Survival to Strength: Building a Resilient Restaurant and Café Sector

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Explore how restaurant and café operators can move beyond short-term survival and build durable strength through capable teams, scalable operations, disciplined planning, better property decisions and a clear management system.
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Wes Lambert
Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association Ltd
CEO
Laura Goldberg
Women In Cafes And Restaurants
Founder
Tony Kelly
Tony Kelly Restaurant Group
Director
Jackie Middleton
Peer Group Hospitality
Founder
Tue Sep 1
1:40 PM - 2:00 PM

AI in Hospitality: Powering Operations, Revenue, and What’s Ahead

1:40 PM - 2:00 PM
Based on real AI deployments across thousands of hospitality operators, this session cuts through the hype to show what works today in marketing, operations, and guest experience. Learn where AI delivers measurable results, where it…
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Alex Sambvani
Slang AI
CEO
Tue Sep 1
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

Women in the Industry

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Look forward to a candid conversation with three inspiring women from across hospitality as we explore leadership, mental health, business ownership and the realities of building a lasting career in a demanding industry.
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Jackie Middleton
Peer Group Hospitality
Founder
Manpreet Sekhon
Elchi
Executive Chef/owner
Laura Goldberg
Women In Cafes And Restaurants
Founder
Darielle Bown
The Wanderlust Age
Owner/ Facilitator / Lead Eap Counsellor
Wed Sep 2
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

From Brand to Bookings: Turning hospitality identity into revenue-driving creative assets

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
In hospitality, your brand is your commercial advantage. Whether for your venue or your product, learn how to drive trust, pricing power and customer choice, with insights from the studio supporting brands including Damm Fine…
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Francis Nicholls-Wunder
A1 Studio
Partner
Wed Sep 2
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Payments as a Growth Engine: Turning Transactions into Better Guest Experiences

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
How modern payment technology improves speed of service, reduces friction, enables omnichannel experiences, unlocks customer insights, and supports operational efficiency across dine-in, takeaway and digital channels.
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Wed Sep 2
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Secret Sauce - The Proven Recipe for Kitchen Leadership

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Great kitchens aren’t built on skill alone — they are built on leadership. In this engaging and practical session, chef, leadership mentor, and author Glenn Flood shares the powerful leadership principles behind his book Secret…
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Glenn Flood
Glenn Flood Leadership Training
Director
Wed Sep 2
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Beyond the Resume: The Human, Not the Paperwork

1:30 PM - 1:50 PM
A resume can't tell you how someone communicates, shows personality, or carries presence — yet it's still the default filter. We'll share what we've learned from over a decade hiring across café, QSR, and retail,…
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Nick Markessinis
Reelwork
CEO
Mathew Le Milliere
Reelwork
General Manager
Wed Sep 2
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

Payday Super & Beyond: Navigating the New Wave of Hospitality Compliance

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
With Payday Super becoming law on 1 July 2026, hospitality operators must adapt quickly. This session covers practical cash flow strategies, restructuring accounts for liquidity, understanding ATO penalties for non-compliance, and navigating STP requirements. Learn…
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Jad Nehmetallah
MISC. Parramatta
Owner
Linda Dang
Evisory Accountants
Director
Thu Sep 3
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Booked, Tagged, Shared: How Gen Z Chooses Where to Eat

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Understanding Gen Z's dining behaviours, social discovery, authenticity, sustainability, digital convenience, value perception, and how venues can remain culturally relevant and drive repeat visits.
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Featured in 2025

Judy McMahon
Tara Senam
Laura Goldberg
Richard McLeod
Olivia Casson
James O'Connell
Sarah Franklyn
Andrew Briese
Paul Ayyash
Stevan Premutico
Joshua Niland
Wes Lambert
Drew Bowering
Francis Nicholls-Wunder
Marlon Kigonya
Tony Bizzarri
Dean Skalistis
Vida English
Marilyn Annecchini
Michelle Grand-Milkovic
Karl Schlothauer
Gareth Moore
Emily Chen
Bex Harris

A Curated Environment for Industry Professionals​

Fine Food Australia is exclusively for the trade, which means every person on the floor is here for the same reason you are: to source, connect and do business. Registration is free and takes just a few minutes.

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