Hospitality operators are being asked to improve productivity while managing higher costs, persistent staffing difficulties and a growing compliance burden. A dedicated panel at Fine Food Australia will bring these issues together and examine which actions can make the greatest difference over the next 12 months.
Hospitality at a Crossroads: Productivity, Policy and Profitability in 2026 and Beyond will take place from 3:45pm to 4:30pm on Monday 31 August at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Presented as part of Fine Food Australia’s Talking Trends program, the session will examine how workforce planning, migration settings, regulation, technology and financial pressure are becoming increasingly connected.
Rather than treating staffing, productivity and profitability as separate problems, the discussion will consider how decisions in one area affect the rest of a hospitality business. Recruitment strategies can influence compliance and retention, for example, while technology investments need to produce measurable operational benefits rather than adding cost and complexity.
The panel brings together four speakers with experience across venue operations, workforce strategy, migration and industry policy:
- Carlo Trieste, co-founder of Global Skills Connect
- Farhan Rehman, Principal Partner at Rehman Sheriff Group
- Melissa Goffin, Managing Director and co-owner of Red Gum BBQ
- Wes Lambert, CEO of the Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association
Goffin will contribute the perspective of an active hospitality operator, while Trieste and Rehman bring experience in skills acquisition, workforce development and employer-sponsored migration. Lambert will add ARCA’s national view of the policy and commercial conditions affecting Australian restaurants and cafés.
AI adoption will also form part of the discussion. For operators, the question is no longer simply whether new technology is available, but whether it can reduce administrative work, improve decision-making or increase output without weakening service.
The session is particularly relevant for restaurant and café owners, multi-site operators, senior managers and hospitality professionals responsible for staffing, compliance or business planning. Attendees can expect a practical assessment of the pressures facing the sector and a clearer framework for deciding where to focus limited time and investment.
Fine Food Australia runs from 31 August to 3 September 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Trade registration is free until 30 August, with a $45 plus GST fee applying to registrations completed during the show.
Register to attend Fine Food Australia and add the session to your Monday program.
