A meeting place for restaurants, hotels, pubs, casual dining and contract caterers who all come together to learn and network, Hotelympia has been part and parcel ot the UK, and the wider global, market for 80 years, attracting more suppliers from catering equipment, food and drink, interiors, tableware, technology, waste management and operators from across the foodservice spectrum. It will see 26,000 professionals from across the foodservice sector descend on London’s Excel Centre.
Hotelympia portfolio director, Ross Carter describes Hotelympia 2018 as a re-energised show. “It’s a true celebration of everything new in hospitality, introducing groundbreaking products, innovative ways of thinking, new approaches to industry challenges and a host of fresh faces,” he says. “This is a modern take on an event that has always held hospitality’s future top of mind.”
Four shows in one
This year attendees will see Hotelympia divided into four shows: the professional kitchen show; the foodservice show; the hospitality tech show; and the interiors and tableware show.
Headline speakers range from chef Ashley Palmer-Watts of Dinner by Heston and Christopher Moore, the chief executive of The Clink to co-founder of pioneering burrito chain Burrito Eric Partaker and Louise Pilkington, the marketing director of Compass Group UK & Ireland.
Hotelympia Portfoilio director Ross Carter says the organisers are proud to introduce attendees so many exhibitors, from the big beasts to the innovative start-ups who will be setting the agenda for years to come. Attendees will find three brand new stages, each focussed on inspiring visitors through solution-based thinking from expert speakers and rising industry stars; the world’s greatest chef competition, Salon Culinaire, a real life restaurant experience created via crowdsourcing – The Ultimate Dining Experience, and a chance to get up-close-and-personal with some of the UK’s finest and most celebrated chefs on The Staff Canteen Live. “Show visitors will be able to access the most relevant snapshot of the market-at-large. No other event can hope to be so curated and yet so comprehensive,” he says.
Innovative products
Over 750 suppliers will be exhibiting at the show which will see some of the most innovative products showcased. From touchscreen cooking technology and internet of things powered warewashing machines to healthy snacks and new smarter ways to eliminate food waste, Hotelympia will cover every angle for attendees.
FCSI will have a presence throughout the show. “We are looking forward to meeting our members on their stands and seeing our consultant members when they take it in turns to man the FCSI stand during the week,” says Louise Willis, executive director, FCSI UK & Ireland. “We’ll also look forward to meeting potential new members thorughout the show.”
There will be a selection of advice and guidance sessions taking place at the FCSI stand, hosted by professional members, as well as details on forthcoming events and initiatives. The FCSI is also holding a meeting on Tuesday 6 March, followed by dinner sponsored by Rational.
International Women’s Day
In the year that the MeToo movement came to the fore as women started speaking up about inequality, it is apt that Hotelympia has dedicated a day – International Women’s Day On 8 March – to explore the challenges and opportunities for women in foodservice. While 60% of workers in the hospitality sector are estimated to be women, only 15% are in management positions. Not only are there fewer women working in hospitality in the UK than there were in 2010, women are on average paid 18% less than their male counterparts. This day is bound to yield plenty of insight and suggestions for how to solve the issue.
With record numbers of restaurant businesses going out of business in the UK, now more than ever it is vital to stay on top of the latest trends, innovation and products. Through the many headline speakers, product demonstrations and educational sessions Hotelympia will help attendees to discover the how to improve and efficiency and profitability in business.
Further details:
Hotelympia takes place at London’s Excel Centre, 5-8 March.
For more information, visit Hotelympia.
Tina Nielsen
