Practical skills. Fresh perspective. Future-ready leaders.
Two days of practical leadership development for the future stars of Victoria’s hospitality industry, held on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 August across the
AHA (Vic) office and Melbourne CBD venues.
Invest in the people who power your venue every day. HospoFuture Leaders Conference is designed to equip emerging hospitality leaders with the confidence, skills and industry perspective to step up, lead well and return to your business energised for what’s next.
Speakers
Lucy Allen: Networking, Influence and Presence for Future Leaders
Lucy Allen is an award-winning mindset speaker known for energetic, deeply human keynotes that challenge audiences to rethink confidence, success and the way they approach their challenges. Before stepping onto the stage, Lucy spent over a decade working in PR, marketing and communications, managing big teams, big personalities and big workloads. Lucy’s talks blend real-world experience, personal storytelling and practical mindset insights to create experiences that stay with audiences long after the event ends. Her ideas are simple, memorable and deeply relatable - the kind people find themselves returning to years later. Lucy has spoken to people across 10 countries, working with organisations ranging from fast-growing startups to globally recognised brands including Red Bull, Levi Strauss and Swisse.
Christie Flora: From Overwhelmed to Organised.
Christie is a passionate Holistic Time Trainer, doing her best work with overwhelmed professionals who have the world on their shoulders and are looking for a way to do life differently. Think of it like personal training, but for your time, energy, and attention. Christie helps you explore what’s really going on beneath the surface, uncover what’s holding you back, and strengthen your unique relationship with time. We identify what strategies, routines, and systems suit you, not someone else’s productivity template. Together, we build strong, sustainable habits that support your goals and your life.
Adrian Baillargeon: Defining What You Stand For and How to Lead Under Pressure
Adrian is a leadership team performance specialist obsessed with helping some of the best leaders win the games that matter most to them. With 20+ years of corporate experience across Canada, Africa and Australia, he has worked extensively in marketing, sales, strategy and joint venture management. He has been involved with transformations, mergers, downsizing, and expansion and has received state, national and global awards. Clients rave about Adrian’s ability to get their teams to open up and commit to supporting each other in meaningful ways. Adrian is renowned for his practical, enthusiastic and engaging approach to transforming how teams do teamwork. Utilising concepts and research from his book, Teams that Swear (by each other, not about each other), Adrian continues to help teams from around the world do better, together.
Jackie Booth Introducing the LEAD Program
Jackies 28 years of experience involves leading Accommodation, Gaming, and Pub venues across Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Queensland, and Vanuatu. Consciously navigating her way from the ground up to COO, she’s led large teams, grown a multi-million-dollar portfolio, and managed small and large-scale projects from concrete shells to exceptional award-winning operating businesses. Overseeing the company's HR, Compliance, Marketing, IT, Procurement and Strategy and driving a connected, empowered 500+ strong team! Jackie’s capability canvases all aspects of the business including operations, venue redevelopments, compliance and workplace relations. Facilitating bespoke team development and training, individual coaching, and delivering clear strategy is what she does best!
Tony Twitchett: In Conversation With the Chef of the Year
Tony is the Owner/General Manager & Executive Chef at Transport Hotel, Taxi Kitchen and Transit Rooftop Bar, who made the move into the hospitality industry at age 17. Learning alongside well-known Chefs such as Michael Lambie and Paul Raynor, Tony worked his way up to becoming a Sous Chef, exploring his love for Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine by travelling the countries that inspired him. In 2009, Tony branched out in his career and opened Barker's Wine Bar and Bistro in Hawthorn, challenging the notion of 'pub grub' and striving to bring a gastro pub experience into the area to satisfy the Melbourne foodie community. Producing food that reflects both his personality and calibre of experience as a whole, Tony now produces a fusion of Japanese and Modern Australian cuisine as the executive chef of Taxi, widely recognised as one of Melbourne's best restaurants. (From Australian Good Food Guide)
Jenna North: In Conversation at Lucy Liu
Jenna North has worked her way up through the ranks to become the head chef at Lucy Liu. She didn’t take the traditional path. Jenna started out washing dishes in a country pub in Port Lincoln, found her creative licence in Italian kitchens, and worked through ten short-lived jobs that nearly broke her before rebuilding her confidence at The Smith with Michael Lambie, Brad Simpson and Zac Cribbes. When Lucy Liu opened, Jenna joined the founding team. Within weeks, she was promoted to sous chef, not for picking up a knife, but for organising the chaos when everyone else was underwater. Today she leads a 20-strong team and has showcased her leadership on MasterChef Australia’s “Beat the Brigade.”
Industry panel - Learnings from the other side of the bar
David Dicker – Diageo, State Manager Victoria and Tasmania
David is an accomplished strategic sales leader and general manager with strong industry and stakeholder relationships. He has worked for iconic brands like Tabcorp in the past, and is now leading the Sales Team for beverage giant DIAGEO in Victoria and Tasmania.
Imogen Gardiner – TWE, Global Director Public Affairs
Imogen leads the company’s engagement with governments and industry partners across key markets, driving strategy on international trade, sustainability, responsible consumption, and regulatory affairs. Imogen brings together her experience in government with her passion for wine and international collaboration. She is dedicated to strengthening the connection between industry, policy, and community, ensuring the wine sector continues to thrive sustainably for the future.
Zander Adam – Tabcorp, Field Sales Manager VIC
With over five years at Tabcorp, with roles including Wagering Sales Manager and Acting State Manager, Zander brings his enthusiasm and professionalism to his roles, ensuring all stakeholders are at the front of all interactions.
Book your future leader
Recognise your top talent and give them the opportunity to grow. Book now and set your next generation of leaders up with the skills, insight and connections to thrive in hospitality.
