Speakers revealed for Arena Autumn Event - Monday 30 September 2019
By Berenice, Thursday 15 August 2019
The Arena Autumn Event 2019 will delve into the power of the brand in an ever-competitive market. We've put together an exciting programme of expert dynamic speakers who will explore how strong, recognisable brands are pushing boundaries and disrupting the market to gain the crucial competitive edge to delivgrowth. A strong brand needs protecting, so they'll also discuss the importance of reputation management, particularly when standing out from the crowd, and reputation recovery if a brand is damaged in some way.
The speakers joining us on Monday 30 September 2019 are:
Andre Johnstone, Business Development Director, Wagamama: The Power of Delivery
Andre has been in charge of Wagamama's delivery business for the last year. Before that he was the brand's marketing director helping to steer it to over five years of market outperformance.
Andre will reveal how Wagamama is pushing the boundaries with new delivery initiatives. Recognising delivery as a significant area of opportunity, Wagamama is one of the top brands on Deliveroo. Andre will talk about its investment in dark kitchens that prepare takeaway food and alcoholic drinks for delivery only. He will also give a sneak preview of their new Grab and Go concept.
Paul Whyte, Managing Director, Best Food Logistics: Leveraging simple technology to transform profitability
Paul Whyte is a business transformation and turnaround expert with experience spanning a number of sectors and countries. In 2017 he was appointed to lead the turnaround of Bidvest Logistics, a large contract logistics business with customers including Burger King, Pizza Express and KFC.
Over the past two years, Paul and his team have transformed a heavily loss-making business in Best Food Logistics, an instantly recognisable, service led and profitable brand that now receives glowing recommendations from its customers, is profitable and poised for growth.
Mark McCulloch - The Food & Drink Marketer, Founder, Supersonic Inc: When the going gets tough - Brand Recovery
Mark McCulloch is one of the leading food, drink and hospitality brand and marketing minds in the world. Mark has over 20 years brand, marketing, digital and social media experience, holding senior positions at lastminute.com, Barclaycard, YO! Sushi and Pret a Manger.
Mark will share his vast expertise and knowledge, focusing on how brands recover after a disaster. Using real hospitality examples he will tell the stories of brands that have found themselves in potentially reputation-damaging situations and how they recovered and learned from the experience, if indeed they did.
Fiona Speakman, Client Director, CGA Strategy: Keeping up Brand Momentum
CGA Strategy's Client Director of the Food Team, Fiona Speakman will deliver a relevant business insight session. Utilising CGA's unique data as well as the Brand Momentum report produced in conjunction with Stone & River, Fiona will explore which brands are remaining relevant in a saturated market. She'll also be sharing actionable insights to better respond to this ever-changing market.
Why attend?
This event is a must for anyone working with hospitality and foodservice operators and their brands. Come along to:
- Get the inside track on how brands are pushing boundaries and how you can be part of this
- Discover how you can support your customers and partners if their reputation is damaged
- Find out if your reputation recovery plans are up to scratch
- Learn how brands are embracing the delivery phenomenon and the opportunities this could offer
- Interact with leading hospitality and foodservice professionals in the spirit of building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships
- View the guest list prior to the event and take advantage of the opportunity to request introductions on the day
Tickets to the event are available now. Click here for more information and to buy tickets online or contact Lorraine Wood by email on 07803 853618.