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HRC – part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week – has unveiled the programme for the TechX stage at this year’s event, packed with discussions centring around opportunities and best practices in the world of hospitality technology. Taking place on 25-27 March at ExCeL London, HRC is the ultimate business event for the UK hospitality industry, with dedicated sections covering hospitality tech, foodservice, professional kitchen equipment and furniture, interiors and tableware. The seminar programme for the show’s TechX stage will kick off with a session examining how tech-powered labour productivity tools can improve margins and result in happier teams and customers. PizzaExpress productivity and change director Graham Fenwick, sector labour productivity specialist Karina Coen, Gail’s Bakery operations director Edyta Stec, Ballie Ballerson MD Travis Fish and NQ64 Arcade Bars interim people director Chantal Wilson, will be discussing how these tools can be coupled with great leadership and well-connected teams to optimise the guest experience. Generative AI will also be top of the agenda at this year’s event, as a panel of top hospitality professionals explore the complexities, risks and potential applications of the tech for the hotel, restaurant and catering sector. Panellist Joanne Taylor-Stagg, general manager of The Athenaeum Hotel, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the generative AI panel, which will no doubt spark lively discussions, and hopefully some innovative ideas that we can all benefit from”. HRC has partnered with Tech on Toast's founder and CEO, Chris Fletcher, to host several discussions across the three days of the show, looking at topics including retaining customers through loyalty, rebuilding a fractured tech stack, modernising shift patterns and how your organisation can become ‘change ready’. Fletcher commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with HRC for the biggest hospitality trade show in March 2024. Tech on Toast exists to support operators navigate the challenges of buying and managing hospitality technology. HRC has stood at the forefront of innovation for 88 years and we are delighted to play our part in supporting digital innovation as the industry enters a new era of growth driven by technology, we look forward to meeting and supporting all who visit next year.” Other highlights of this year’s TechX programme include how to prepare your venue for legislative changes to Tronc, how your brand can breakthrough on social media and how to make tech and delivery work for you. Annica Wainwright, co-founder of 2Forks, Joe McCanta, global head of brand experience at Grey Goose, Ruth Carpenter, head of marketing at Pizza Pilgrims, and Emma Reynolds, co-founder of Tonkotsu, will be discussing how hospitality and foodservice businesses can make use of customer feedback to elevate menu, brand message, drink development and much more. Finally, TechX will see the return of Launchpad, an opportunity to hear brief pitches from innovative up-and-coming hospitality tech brands. HRC has joined forces with IFE Manufacturing, IFE, The Pub Show and International Salon Culinaire to form Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the UK’s biggest celebration of industry innovation. To check out the full programme and secure your complimentary trade ticket, visit hrc.co.uk.