Leeds Hospitality Conference

From the Bottom of Our HEARTS - THANK YOU For over a Year we have planned an event that would Empower, Inspire & Uplift our Beloved Hospitality Industry A 3 Day Event consisting of several panels featuring a wide-range of people with experience, knowledge, passion and first-hand insight to pass on - TO ALL OUR PANELISTS, THANK YOU! Thank You for trusting and believing in our vision All chats were phenomenal and this wouldn't have been able to be captured in such a manor without our Hosts @emgreathead @missyorkshiregold @beau__bubbles - the way in which you navigated conversations was both entertaining and informative and we are looking forward to having these out as a Podcast series in the near future! To the venue @howardassemblyroom & @therealtonygreen in-particular for backing us every step and making sure something of this scale could be hosted in a setting so prestigious to add to its feel - its mad how many in the city have still to experience such an immense setting As an event, full transparency - we had only 1 person attend across the 3 days. Some may assume we are disheartened but blunt truth is we know what we could capture and have always maintained the ripples of these chats would last and impact way beyond the event We would be lying to say its not gutting to see so much work and effort for whatever reason not connect or resonate, especially when all efforts pre-event were taken to speak with venues, owners, managers, front of house and all roles top to bottom - this is something we'll seek to clarify so that next years we can ensure that the powerful messages shared can be to a room full of people buzzing with inspiration amongst community We have like always in Hospo taken to optimism on how to grow For us - this is the most vital and important industry in the country! And we can provide a source of support and inspiration that gives both Value & Joy Beyond Proud of what we've achieved and created - We just put on a 3 Day Conference, WTF🤯🥰 w/ Love - Team @hospoconf - @womeninhospitalityleeds @laurengeorgiaxo @womenfriendlyleeds @rickyburwell @benrandm

Representation is core to us. Each day of the conference is for, with, and led by those who identify with that day’s demographic - from hosts to panelists to attendees. We’re here for the voices and experiences that often get overlooked: the quiet questions, the unnamed feelings, the aspirations without a roadmap. This is about real people, real stories, and real change - reflective and empowering. Day 1 | Empowering Women Day 2 | Championing Pride Day 3 | Uplifting Men This is for anyone curious about how hospitality can evolve beyond the bar - through creativity, brand-building, and new ways to connect with culture. Made for the doers, dreamers and deep thinkers of hospitality - the ones with big mid-shift thoughts and no clue where to take them. This is where you bring them. Come for clarity, connection, and what’s next. Panel Overview: • Relationship with Alcohol & Substances Exploring how we navigate alcohol, substances, and support in a space where the lines can blur. • We See You How hospitality can create safer, more inclusive spaces by meeting real needs with care and intention. • Pivoting from the Bar How frontline skills can lead to new, fulfilling paths - without having to climb the traditional ladder. • Tackling the Manosphere A real talk on the rise of misogyny, how we push back, and how men can actively help make hospitality safer. • How to Build Your Own Ladder Founders share how they turned big ideas into lasting spaces - and the lessons learned along the way. • Evolving Hospo How creative offshoots are reshaping hospitality - keeping it expressive, relevant, and rooted in culture. This isn’t just about industry issues - it’s about ideas, identity and inspiring people. • Honest conversations • Tools for growth • Feeling seen, heard and supported All shaped by those who live and breathe this industry. Created especially for frontline and main-level staff. Thanks for taking the time to discover this. With love & respect, Ben & Ricky FAVES Co-founders Always championing our hospitality heroes

✨ Leeds Hospitality conference ✨ Earlier this week, I was honoured to have been asked to be on a panel to discuss the topic Pivoting from the Bar within the Industry not only from my own personal experience but of P.J Staffing Ltd at the conference held at The Howards Assembly room at Opera North. The conversation led around the transferable skills gained in front-line roles and how they can open doors to new, fulfilling paths within hospitality - beyond the traditional climb up the ladder. With the current challenges in the market, from staff cutbacks, raising costs and new legislation coming in next month, it was an insightful to listen to front line workers and other managers/owners’ views on the industry, understanding their challenges they face, adaptations there making and their own successful journey and why they stay within the industry. It brought home that Hospitality, what us as industry professionals already know, that hospitality is not a low skill job and it is a proper job, it’s a career, it’s a pathway and very much a peoples industry who have the passion for delivering excellence to their customers and guests and being part of something unique. The conferences aim was to have real conversations with real people from the hospitality industry and how we all can come together to bring the love and passion back into it. An incredible experience, and to quote Ben, it’s about “clarity, connection, inspiration” Thank you, Ben Randm for organising the conference and for having me a guest on the panel and a pleasure to meet Michael Upson with our great Host, Beau Baker. If you are looking for a recruitment partner for 2026 who has worked in the Industry and knows the Industry, then get in touch today at [email protected]. #conference #connection #industryinsights #hospitlaity #leeds

Come catch me at the @howardassemblyroom on Wednesday 4 March for the @hospoconf conference. I’ll be taking part in a panel on artisanal ladder building. We’ll be covering step ladders, extendable ladders, and doing a deep dive into the pros and cons of wood vs aluminium vs fibreglass construction. There will be strong opinions, and possibly diagrams. If you bring your own loft ladder, I’ll be around afterwards to sign a few. …. How to Build Your Own Ladder
Wed 4th March
4.30pm – 5.30pm A conversation with founders who created the venues and brands they now lead, building spaces from the ground up. We’ll be sharing the journey of turning vision into reality, the highs and lows along the way, and how we’ve navigated the unique challenges of the industry today. For anyone with ideas bigger than their current role and curious about carving out their own path in nightlife, venues, restaurants, or club culture.

Really looking forward to speaking at the Leeds hospitality conference next week! #hospitality #conference #leeds #leedsbusiness #leedshospitality

Monday 2nd March, we’re heading to the @hospoconf at Howard Assembly Rooms to talk all things Women In Hospitality. You can catch Lauren on 2 of the days panels, swipe for more details! Panel Discussion 1: We See You 12pm - 12.50pm A discussion centred on visibility, safety and care - exploring how the industry can better support both staff and customers by providing the essentials that respect lived experience and help everyone feel considered, comfortable and seen. Looking at how hospitality can create safer, more inclusive spaces by meeting real needs with care and intention. Who Its For For anyone who wants to feel safer, more valued and properly considered on shift or on a night out and help make that true for others. Panel Discussion 2: Tackling the Manosphere - Discussions in Creating Safe Spaces 2.30pm - 3.20pm An open conversation about the rise of misogyny - how to recognise it, challenge it, and create safer spaces for all. We’ll also reflect on how men must take the lead in driving change, avoiding harmful patterns, and becoming part of the solution. A real talk on how we push back and how men can step up to help make hospitality safer for everyone. Who Its For For anyone committed to making hospitality safer and more respectful - including how to better understand their roles in shaping positive change

ICYMI: I’m sharing my story through candid open discussion about experience with addiction, substances and how I navigated my way through recovery as part of the ‘Relationship with Alcohol and Substances’ panel at @hospoconf next Wednesday 4 Mar 🙏 Swipe to read more about the day and the FAQ’s relating to the panel, hope to see some of you there! ————————- Relationship with Alcohol & Substances Wed 4th March 11am - 11.50am A candid conversation about our industry’s close ties with alcohol and substances - exploring how we navigate temptation, set boundaries, and seek support when the balance tips. Exploring how we navigate alcohol, substances, and support in an industry where the lines can blur. Who It’s For For anyone ready to reflect, reset or support others navigating the blurred lines between work, lifestyle, and wellbeing.

Panel Overview

Daily Panel Description Overview

This has been curated for the doers, dreamers and deep thinkers - the ones with big mid-shift thoughts and no clue where to take them. This is where you bring them. Come for clarity, connection inspiration and forge what’s next. If you work in hospitality and want to feel seen, heard, and inspired - this is for you. It’s designed specifically for Main-Level and Frontline staff rather than management, higher ups and head office. Each day is for, with, and led by the demographic it's built around - Women (Mon), Pride (Tue), Men (Wed). We ask attendees to attend the day they most personally identify with, to help create safe and empowering spaces rooted in shared experience. We know identity is layered. What we pose is choose the day that feels closest to your lived experience - the one where you’ll feel most comfortable, heard and at home.

Have a flick thru for full FAQs

Representation is core to us. Each day of the conference is for, with, and led by those who identify with that day’s demographic - from hosts to panelists to attendees. We’re here for the voices and experiences that often get overlooked: the quiet questions, the unnamed feelings, the aspirations without a roadmap. This is about real people, real stories, and real change - reflective and empowering. Day 1 | Empowering Women Day 2 | Championing Pride Day 3 | Uplifting Men This is for anyone curious about how hospitality can evolve beyond the bar - through creativity, brand-building, and new ways to connect with culture. Made for the doers, dreamers and deep thinkers of hospitality - the ones with big mid-shift thoughts and no clue where to take them. This is where you bring them. Come for clarity, connection, and what’s next. Panel Overview: • Relationship with Alcohol & Substances Exploring how we navigate alcohol, substances, and support in a space where the lines can blur. • We See You How hospitality can create safer, more inclusive spaces by meeting real needs with care and intention. • Pivoting from the Bar How frontline skills can lead to new, fulfilling paths - without having to climb the traditional ladder. • Tackling the Manosphere A real talk on the rise of misogyny, how we push back, and how men can actively help make hospitality safer. • How to Build Your Own Ladder Founders share how they turned big ideas into lasting spaces - and the lessons learned along the way. • Evolving Hospo How creative offshoots are reshaping hospitality - keeping it expressive, relevant, and rooted in culture. This isn’t just about industry issues - it’s about ideas, identity and inspiring people. • Honest conversations • Tools for growth • Feeling seen, heard and supported All shaped by those who live and breathe this industry. Created especially for frontline and main-level staff. Thanks for taking the time to discover this. With love & respect, Ben & Ricky FAVES Co-founders Always championing our hospitality heroes