Future Focus 2025: Workforce First – Aligning Industry, Tourism & Training

Event Overview:
📍 Parliament House, Sydney
🗓 Monday, 22 September 2025
⏰ 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Presented by Tourism Training Australia and Restaurant & Catering Australia, Future Focus 2025 brings together voices from across the food and tourism sectors — operators, educators, policy leaders, suppliers, and government — to unpack the challenges and choices shaping our future.

With insights on consumer behaviour, cyber risk, skills training, regional leadership, and digital transformation, the event cuts through the noise and gets practical.

Agenda at a Glance

• 08:30 – 09:00 | Arrival & Networking Tea

• 09:00 – 09:45 | Setting the Scene: The Workforce Reality Check – John Hart OAM

• 09:45 – 10:15 | Tourism’s Workforce Footprint – Karen Jones, Destination NSW

• 10:15 – 10:35 | Working Morning Tea: Delivery Trends in Focus – Alana Brittain, Uber Eats

• 10:35 – 11:20 | Apprenticeships, Access & Address: Fixing the Foundations – Jenny Lambert + Panel

• 11:20 – 12:05 | Spend, Skills & Shifts: What Consumer Behaviour Is Telling Us – Entertainment Group + Panel

• 12:05 – 12:30 | Leasing Challenges: Protecting Your Business – LPC

• 12:30 – 13:15 | Lunch Break

• 13:15 – 14:00 | Bridging Gaps, Building Leaders: Regional Access & Management Capability – Panel

• 14:00 – 14:45 | Cyber Hygiene = Workplace Safety – Gallagher

• 14:45 – 15:05 | Afternoon Tea

• 15:05 – 16:00 | Business in Action: Pick a Pathway – Breakout Sessions (Hostplus / Choice Energy)

• 16:00 | Final Remarks & Close – John Hart OAM

Choose Your Breakout Stream:

• Investing in People: The Power of Financial Wellbeing
  Hosted by Hostplus 

• Platforms & Prep – Digital ordering, hybrid models, staffing impact

Who Should Attend:
Hospitality venue owners, chefs, suppliers, educators, tourism professionals, RTOs, workforce planners, and government reps.

If you're shaping teams, influencing operations, or driving change – this day is for you.

Registration Includes:

• Full-day program access

• Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea

• Networking across industry and government

• Workshop access and post-event resources

Agenda

08:30 – 09:00 | Arrival & Networking Tea
Informal networking and coffee service. Registration desk open.

09:00 – 09:45 | Setting the Scene: The Workforce Reality Check
Speaker: John Hart OAM
Sector-wide briefing on workforce gaps, economic outlook, migration, and skills pathways.

09:45 – 10:15 | Tourism’s Workforce Footprint
Speaker: Karen Jones, CEO, Destination NSW
Update on how the visitor economy shapes employment, training demand, and local opportunities. Includes Q&A.

10:15 – 10:35 | Morning Tea Break
☕ Working Morning Tea with Uber Eats
Alana Brittain, Director – Restaurants Expansion, shares insights into delivery trends, consumer behaviour, and workforce models.

10:35 – 11:20 | Apprenticeships, Access & Address: Fixing the Foundations
Lead Insight: Jenny Lambert, National Policy Director, Accommodation Australia

11:20 – 12:05 | Spend, Skills & Shifts: What Consumer Behaviour Is Telling Us
Opening Insight: Entertainment Group
Panel: Entertainment Moderator, Steve Sidd (Catering HQ), John Hart OAM, Marion Fitzpatrick (TAFE)
Exploring how consumer trends shape workforce needs, training, and operations.

12:05 – 12:30 | Leasing Challenges – Protecting Your Business
Presented by John Reed, Director LPC
Practical advice on navigating rent hikes, lease terms, and insolvency risks.

12:30 – 13:15 | Lunch Break
Networking over lunch.

13:15 – 14:00 | Bridging Gaps, Building Leaders: Regional Access & Management Capability
Panel: Lee Cecchin (Regional Operator – Online), Javed Khan (Metro Operator), Brad Bennett (Training Provider), Joe Lin (Emerging Manager)
Moderator: Garry Stokes
Discussion on leadership gaps, management pathways, and the role of regional adaptation.

14:00 – 14:45 | Cyber Hygiene = Workplace Safety
Speaker: Robyn Adcock, National Placement Manager, Cyber & Technology, Gallagher
Learn how cyber threats impact staff safety, operations, and customer trust.

14:45 – 15:05 | Afternoon Tea

15:05 – 16:00 | Business in Action: Pick a Pathway breakout sessions with Hostplus & Choice Energy
Breakout Sessions – choose one track:

• Track 1: Investing in People: The Power of Financial Wellbeing
  Hosted by Hostplus 
  Speaker: Paula Formella is a seasoned Account Manager at Hostplus, where she has proudly served for 14 years. With over two decades of experience in the superannuation industry, Paula brings deep expertise and a genuine passion for helping people make the most of their retirement savings.

• Track 2: Energy in Action – Choice Energy
  Speaker: Alycia McCarthy is the Partnerships Specialist at Choice Energy. She helps manage the relationship between Choice and RCIA, assisting members to find savings on their energy expenses and provide solar solutions. 

16:00 | Final Remarks & Close
Speaker: John Hart OAM
A closing call to action: keeping the workforce front and centre.