WEBINARS: TOMORROW’S PATRON MEETS INDUSTRY CHANGE

Last week the second in a series of webinars brought together another panel of hospitality experts to discuss insights on the new breed of patron, ahead of this week’s final, on impacts to the industry landscape.

The second Quantaco webinar featured W. Short Hospitality MD Jen Russell, Feros Group COO Simon Johnston, and Geronimo founder and director Matt Hunt in conversation covering customer behavioural changes, new and emerging trends, and an increase in digitization and data.

Key takeaways included:

• Customers are craving hospitality to reopen, but looking for assurance on safety, and guidance on ‘new rituals’
• Premiumisation and new tastes will be balanced with old favourites – cocktails, mocktails and healthy food will be in demand, along with traditional fare
• Localisation forces a rethink on city-centre locations – longer dwell times at local pubs will encourage CBD pubs to think about ways to become a destination
• Digitalisation will provide a wealth of data, but it must be worthwhile – the use of technology yields an opportunity for customer insight, but customers need to see the value in sharing it
• The future is: bright … a little different, but mostly the same. Pent-up demand and missed celebrations will see a swift return to hospitality, but increased compliance, smaller group sizes, and a shift toward pre-planned visits may make the immediate future a little different

The final in the series will take place Wednesday, 8 September at 2 pm (AEST), bringing together AVC CEO Paul Waterson, Marlow Hospitality CEO Jason Marlow, and Quantaco CEO Anthony Sullivan.

They will join host Scott Barber to consider how COVID has affected the hospitality landscape, taking a holistic look at the industry to consider both the impacts but also the opportunities and strategies to consider to ensure businesses are set up to thrive when lockdowns lift.

To view either of the previous webinars or to register for the final session, click HERE.