Speakers
Keynote – Phill Nosworthy
As an executive advisor, futurist, speaker and author in the subject areas that surround making business and life meaningful, Phill Nosworthy is a powerful catalyst for transformation. His insights into personal mastery and the future of work have gained him a cult following among high performers in Fortune listed companies the world over.
He has worked in more than 50 cities and 25 countries globally and counts Apple, ING, Universal Music and the Commonwealth Bank amongst his clients.
With his high energy, intelligence and authenticity, Phill equips leaders and brands with insights for making life and work meaningful in times of massive change.
MC – Luke Butler
Luke is known throughout the industry as one of the most respected and connected people in the Hospitality sector. Over the last 20 years, Luke has occupied group management roles with some of the best operators in the Australian Hospitality Industry.
In 2016, Luke’s attention turned to recruitment – a natural choice as it combined his experience in hiring, his passion for mentoring and the vast industry network.
Chris Cheung
C.inc Hotels
Chris has turned the award-winning Coogee Bay Hotel from a simple suburban ‘watering hole’, to an original pub that has been developed into a highly successful hospitality precinct incorporating an 80 room Boutique Hotel, a leading music venue and nightclub called Selina’s and numerous retail, bar and food outlets. Later in 2001, Chris expanded his hospitality interests with the opening of ‘Cruise’ at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in West Circular Quay that recently won the coveted ‘Restaurant of the Year’ award.
Ed Loveday
Solotel
Previously a founding member of award-winning ACME, The Passage and Bar Brosé, Ed has spent the better part of a decade immersing himself in the ever-changing beverage landscape. Ed is an authority on drinks – from wine to cocktails, and is a Global Brand Ambassador for Regal Rogue Vermouth. Author of The Cocktail Garden, published by Hardie Grant across Australia, USA, and UK.
As an operator Ed recognises the significance of entertainment; recognising the overall customer experience goes beyond just the food and beverage offering. He therefore most recently was consulted as Entertainment Manager for 2019 hotspot Pamela’s.
Greg Daniel AM
KPMG Australia
Greg is one of Australia’s most experienced marketing communications executives. A longtime investor in the internet communications sector, Greg is at the forefront of KPMG’s Social Media Advisory group.
He is the founder of SR7 which KPMG acquired in 2014 following a successful strategic alliance. Previously, Greg has been CEO of the country’s most awarded ad agency, The Campaign Palace, and Clemenger BBDO. Additionally, he’s held many directorships including Director of the Australia Day Council of NSW and was awarded the Order of Australia for his role as Chairman of the Communications Commission for the Sydney Olympic Games.
David Thompson
Tilly and Wills Hotels
Dave, currently NSW State Manager for Tilly and Wills Hotels, started in pubs in Bundaberg when he was 14yrs old picking up glasses in his school holidays. When moving to Brisbane to work at The Transcontinental Hotel while it was undergoing a renovation, he fell in love with rebranding hotels and went on to revamp some of Brisbane’s best Hotels (The Exchange Hotel, The Monastery, The Port Office Hotel, Rosies and more). Upon moving to Sydney, he was involved with relaunching The Windsor on Park and now the multi-award-winning Verandah Bar and Social at Verandah.
Mel Porter
Porters Plainland Hotel
Starting work during uni at the Royal Exchange (R.E.) Hotel in Toowong, Mel then worked in advertising for over nine year, including at Mojo ad agency before returning to the family business in 2015.
Porters Plainland Hotel is headed by the family’s third generation, Mel and her brother Michael and employs 82 staff. Located in the Lockyer Valley (one hour west of Brisbane), the hotel recently added a 16-room motel, function rooms & a new gaming room which run alongside the Hotel’s food & beverage offering, TAB & two bottle shops.
John Musca
JLL Hotels & Hospitality
John has responsibility for managing a team of dedicated pubs specialists with professionals providing sales, advisory and research services. His cross-border role sees him leverage national relationships and local market knowledge in maximising client outcomes time and time again. With a particular focus on portfolio and largest single asset hotel sales, he has an enviable track record of hotel transaction completions in all economic conditions.
Jason Bush
Merivale
Jason, currently the Group Retail Manager for Merival, has been in the retail liquor industry for 25 years gaining extensive experience working with ALH, Woolworths liquor group and Camperdown Cellars. He has managed both big box and small independent sites in both Victoria and NSW.
In his 3 years with Merivale, Jason has lead the charge of exceptional guest experience and helped grow the footprint to 10 bottle shops as well as an online portal.
Jeremy Goodale
ALM
Jeremy has multi industry experience across beverage, liquor, fashion and sports, developing broad senior sales, marketing, leadership, people development and strategic business skills focused on making a positive difference to performance.
With over 20 years of liquor supplier experience from working with Lion, Diageo and Bacardi Martini, he now is working within wholesale and banner group management as the General Manager for Metcash’s liquor division, ALM.
Marcello Colosimo
Momento Hospitality
Marcello Colosimo holds a Bachelor of Business and is a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Marcello is a hospitality professional with over 20 years’ experience, specialising in start-up ventures and business turnaround. He is now CEO of Momento Hospitality Group, which owns Bella Vista Hotel, Hillside Hotel, The Governor and Mullane’s Hotel.
Kerri Glasscock
Sydney Fringe Festival
Kerri Glasscock is the founding co-director of artist-run company 505 which owns the legendary live music club Venue 505 in Surry Hills, and award-winning Old 505 Theatre in Newtown. In 2013 she was appointed as CEO & Festival Director of the Sydney Fringe Festival with a tenure till 2021.
Matt Rule
The Music and Booze Company
Entrenched in Sydney’s live music scene since the year 2000, Matt Rule has a long history in the music industry, working in and owning pubs, he has a thorough knowledge of the pub game and how music can effectively contribute to driving traffic through venues, as well as play a role in well-rounded operational strategies.
Morgan Kelly
KPMG
Morgan has assisted hospitality business transition through challenging times and has been appointed receiver to more than 100 trading venues and clubs over the last five years. Key engagements include the Keystone Group, The Jamie Oliver Restaurant chain, Crown Plaza Hunter Valley, Sumo Salad Group, Annandale and Sandringham Hotels and many informal advisory roles.
Stevan Premutico
Me&u
Stevan Premutico is one of Australia’s leading food tech entrepreneurs. Conceptualising Dimmi in 2007, he then went on to revolutionise the Aussie restaurant industry. Later, in 2015, his startup was acquired by one of the great tech businesses, TripAdvisor. Now, Stevan is back with me&u, which is set to change the way we order and pay. Justin Hemmes & Tyro recently backed me&u and Good Food called it the “hot new thing.” Hundreds of venues have already joined the movement including Merivale, Solotel, Rockpool, The Portsea Hotel and The Opera Bar.
Toby Chick
Hotel Rose Bay
Taking on his first licensee role in 2012 at the age of 23 Toby’s licensee journey started at award winning Rocksia Hotel working for the Feros Group. In 2015, Toby took on the challenge as licensee of converting The Buena Vista Hotel from a local suburban hotel to a major destination venue with a fine dining restaurant (Bistro Moncur), working with Public House Management Group.
Toby decided to move away from the major groups in 2018 to build a team to launch the Hotel Rose Bay, where they went on to win 3 awards at the 2019 AHA awards, including individual operator of the year.
Brydie Allen
Food & Beverage Media
Brydie Allen is the editor of National Liquor News, Australia’s leading magazine for the off-premise liquor sector. She began her career interning with top women’s publications including Vogue and Mamamia, before an interest in the liquor industry lead her to Food and Beverage Media where she was a journalist across Australian Hotelier, Bars & Clubs, National Liquor News and The Shout.
Debbie Higgins
Merivale
Debbie has more than a decade’s worth of experience in hospitality and events. Having worked with everyone from Hilton Hotels, London’s The O2 arena & Chelsea Football Club, she is a bona-fide expert in the sector. Since joining Merivale in 2016, Debbie has become integral to the daily operations behind one of Australia’s biggest and best hospitality groups. Now widely regarded for her tenacity and attention to detail, Debbie is a secret weapon when it comes to the successful execution of events large or small and Merivale’s special projects.