Hospitality Tech360 puts leadership, AI and people at the heart of hospitality tech

Leadership, AI and commercial reality

At the heart of the content programme is the Hospitality Leaders Forum, which brings together senior figures from across restaurant, pub and hospitality groups to examine how technology intersects with leadership, decision-making and commercial performance.

Speakers include Gavin Smith, CEO of Pizza Pilgrims; Sarah Pope, chief information officer and IT director at Big Table Group; Shereen Ritchie, CEO of Kuvi; Tim Doubleday, CFO at Burger King UK; and Tom James, managing director at Bill’s Restaurants. Sessions will explore leadership in a digital context, innovative kitchen technology and the women driving the future of hospitality tech.

AI is a recurring theme, approached with a strong focus on practicality rather than hype. Award-winning AI content and prompt-engineering strategist Georgia Lewis Anderson will deliver a keynote session on designing AI interactions that feel natural, helpful and on brand.

Tommy Giraux, head of restaurant systems at Honest Burgers, will lead a session on AI forecasting and what it genuinely means for hospitality leaders.

“It’s one of the few events where the conversation goes beyond hype,” he says. “If you’re a CEO, CFO or operations leader trying to understand where AI genuinely adds value, this session is for you.”

A strategic, human-centred perspective will be brought by Simone Puorto, head of emerging trends and strategic innovation at Hospitality Net.

“As technology accelerates, it’s vital we take a step back and ask what truly creates value, for guests, teams and businesses alike,” he says.

One of the most pressing strategic choices facing operators will also be debated: bespoke tech stacks versus off-the-shelf platforms. A panel featuring Chris Fletcher of Tech on Toast, David Broom, CTO at Prezzo, Kieron Williams, IT director at Brunning & Price, and Ross Pyres, customer technology director at PizzaExpress, will share real-world experience from both approaches.

“We’ll be providing a practical look at how data integration can create value — from improving efficiencies to empowering teams and enhancing the customer experience,” says Pyres.

From strategy to systems on the ground

While the Leaders Forum tackles big-picture thinking, the Tech Talks Theatre focuses on how technology is actually implemented and used across hospitality businesses.

Thomas Texido, operations manager at Casa do Frango, will explore how well-integrated systems can support operational performance, while Gregers Knudsen, co-founder and CEO of Monotree, will address one of the sector’s most common pain points: adoption.

“Expensive tech is useless if your team hates using it,” Knudsen says. “This session looks at how to build a people-first approach to technology adoption.”

Human connection, trust and word-of-mouth will also be under the spotlight. Harry Jones, head of marketing at QVO Hospitality, will examine how hospitality brands are blending digital tools with human-led marketing to drive influence and loyalty.

Across both stages, sessions will be moderated by Jo Lynch, KAM account director, bringing a joined-up perspective spanning technology, operations and guest experience.

“Hospitality Tech360 creates space for honest, practical discussion about what’s genuinely moving the needle,” she says.

A snapshot of the tech landscape

Complementing the content programme is an exhibition bringing together technology providers working across every part of the hospitality ecosystem. Exhibitors include Square, Tevalis, Vita Mojo and Sunday in payments, EPOS and ordering; Workforce.com, Shiftie and Stampede AI in workforce and AI-driven operations; Tenzo, Orion’s Plan and iplicit in data, forecasting and financial insight; and Foodsteps and Crunchtime addressing sustainability, supply chain and operational efficiency.

From AI and business intelligence to guest experience, revenue management and waste reduction, the exhibitor line-up reflects how hospitality operators are increasingly seeking integrated solutions rather than standalone tools.

A joined-up view of hospitality’s future

Hospitality Tech360 takes place alongside IFE, IFE Manufacturing, HRC, the Pub Show and International Salon Culinaire, giving visitors access to a connected programme spanning food, drink, hospitality and technology across three days.

By foregrounding operator voices and real-world insight, Hospitality Tech360 reflects the realities facing hospitality businesses today, focusing not just on what technology can do, but how it should be selected, led and embedded to support teams, culture and long-term growth.

The full programme and free trade tickets are available at hospitalitytech360.co.uk.