The guest speaker lineup has been announced for Ignite Hospo, the industry-leading event presented by the Restaurant Association.
The Restaurant Association is excited to announce the addition of three incredible 'Igniters' to the lineup for Ignite Hospo 2024. These esteemed speakers will share their invaluable insights and experiences with attendees, offering practical strategies and inspiring stories to drive innovation and growth in the hospitality industry.
Dr. Paul Wood is an expert in helping people and organisations strive towards their potential and flourish through change and adversity. He works with everyone from senior leaders at Google to at-risk teens. A regular media contributor and author, Wood's recently released second book, "Mental Fitness; Build your mind for strength and resilience every day," was another instant bestseller. Wood's passion for the pursuit of excellence and turning adversity to advantage comes from his own journey from delinquent to Doctor of Psychology. At Ignite Hospo 2024, Wood will present a workshop on "Peak Performance Playbook: Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Teams," providing attendees with tools to foster resilience and excellence within their teams.
In an inspiring talk titled "Navigating Failure: From Closed Kitchens to Bottled Success," Chef Luis Cabrera will share his remarkable journey of resilience and reinvention after being forced to close his two successful restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. With experience spanning top restaurants and hotels in Boston, Dublin, Verona, and beyond, Cabrera has held diverse roles from Chef Instructor to Executive Head Chef. Cabrera has shared his expertise at prestigious culinary institutions in Mexico and Italy and earned accolades such as a Silver Medal at the Culinary Olympics in Germany in 2008. In New Zealand, Cabrera and his wife Cecilia introduced the flavours of Latin America through Besos Latinos, the country's first authentic Latin American Gourmet restaurant, and Ceviche Bar by Besos Latinos. In 2022, he launched Besos Margarita, a globally acclaimed ready-to-serve margarita that has won seven international awards, including the Triple Gold Medal at the Major League Spirits Awards in Michigan, 2023. Cabrera offers invaluable insights on navigating failure, embracing change, and finding new paths to success even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
Tony McGeorge for an insightful talk on "The Food Cost Advantage: Proven Strategies for Maximising Profitability". McGeorge, the founder and owner of Cafe Hanoi, Ghost Street, and Perch, will introduce a powerful tool that has been instrumental in optimising food and drink menu design, pricing, and profit analysis, significantly boosting profitability across his venues. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, McGeorge will demonstrate how this tool can transform your approach to menu management, helping you achieve greater financial success in your business.
Ignite Hospo 2024 is the premier event for New Zealand hospitality business owners, offering innovative networking opportunities, inspiring talks from a lineup of industry experts and a platform for growth and transformation. Hosted at the Marine Events Centre on Auckland’s Tamaki Drive, Ignite Hospo 2024 will provide attendees with practical tools and insights to drive innovation and growth in the hospitality sector.
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