Over the past few months, the Quantaco sales team has been actively participating in a range of industry events across the country. From dynamic networking dinners to lively race days and insightful gaming expo we’ve been connecting with publicans, industry suppliers, and hospitality professionals. By supporting events hosted by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and the Queensland Hotels Association (QHA), we’ve been listening closely to the industry, understanding both the challenges and opportunities venues are facing today. Here’s a snapshot of some of the events we’ve attended and the key insights we’ve gathered.
AHA Southern Region Event at Bundanoon Hotel
The AHA Southern Region event at the Bundanoon Hotel brought together 100 publicans and industry suppliers for an evening of engaging networking, discussions, and comedy. Key conversations focused on the challenges venues are facing amidst rising costs and shifting regulations:
Navigating Cost Pressures: With rising expenses impacting all facets of operations, venues are seeking innovative strategies to manage their costs effectively while maintaining quality service. Our recent Annual Industry Report (FY24) highlights a 7% increase in total weekly sales, reflecting growth across all classes, including food, beverage, bottle shops, accommodation sales, and net gaming profit. However, profitability, measured by EBITDAR, saw a slight decline of 1% year-on-year, underscoring the need for continued focus on cost management and operational efficiency.
Staff Engagement and Technology: Discussions revealed a growing interest in leveraging technology to enhance staff engagement and productivity. As wages increased by 1.6% over the past year, with wages as a percentage of sales rising from 19.3% in FY23 to 20.8% in FY24, venues are looking for ways to use digital tools to streamline operations and better manage labour costs.
Capital Expenditure on Renovation: Many venues, particularly in regional areas, are exploring capital investment for renovating accommodation facilities. Diversifying their offerings through strategic upgrades is seen as a key path to sustainable growth.
Addressing Staffing Challenges: Staffing remains a significant challenge, and venues are eager for solutions to improve recruitment, retention, and overall workforce management. Upskilling staff and involving them in a broader understanding of the business is yielding positive returns for venues.
QHA Race Day at Sunshine Coast
The QHA Race Day at Sunshine Coast was a lively and enjoyable event that gathered over 300 hospitality professionals from across Queensland. It provided a wonderful opportunity for venues to recognise their teams’ hard work by treating them to a memorable day out, which is crucial for fostering a sense of community and collaboration among industry peers.
The event also highlighted the value of reward and recognition in retaining staff, especially in light of rising wage costs. Strong attendance from partners, including tech providers like TANDA, showcased the power of collaboration and the importance of integrating technology into day-to-day operations to boost efficiency and staff satisfaction.
AHA Illawarra Subbranch Networking Lunch
We also attended the AHA Illawarra Subbranch Networking Lunch at the Central Hotel in Shoal Harbour, where publicans and industry suppliers had the chance to connect and share insights. Events like this reinforce the value of building strong relationships within the hospitality community and supporting regional industry initiatives, which is vital as venues navigate economic challenges.
Australian Gaming Expo
The Australian Gaming Expo was another key event in our calendar, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders from the gaming and hospitality sectors. The expo provided a platform to explore the latest trends, technologies, and regulatory updates, reinforcing our commitment to staying ahead of industry developments.
Fine Foods Festival
Fine Foods in Melbourne this year was a great way to further explore and showcase the use of technology across the broader industry. Helping venues of all shapes and sizes become more acutely aware of changing cost pressures in their business, ensuring improved performance outcomes through data-driven insights. The event also showcased many of our industry partners, and we look forward to our attendance and its return to Sydney next year.
Looking Ahead: Pub Leaders Summit and Beyond
We’re eagerly anticipating the Pub Leaders Summit in September, where hospitality professionals will come together to learn, share, and explore strategies for navigating the current economic landscape. This event will focus on “controlling the controllables” — a critical theme from our Annual Industry Report (FY24), which emphasises managing operational costs, optimising revenue streams, and maintaining profitability despite external pressures.
How Quantaco Helps
Our involvement in these events has deepened our understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing hospitality venues today. At Quantaco, we are dedicated to providing insights, solutions, and support to help our clients navigate these complexities. Our integrated platform – encompassing Cashup, Salesline, and Star Compliance – is designed to enhance performance, streamline operations, and empower hospitality businesses to make data-driven decisions.
As venues work to control costs and maximise profitability, Quantaco’s data-driven insights and tailored advisory services are more valuable than ever. By understanding the nuances of the market, such as the 1.6% increase in wages and the 7% growth in total weekly sales, we help venues develop strategies to improve efficiency, optimise revenue, and remain competitive.
We look forward to sharing more updates from the Melbourne Food & Wine Fair and other upcoming events as we continue to engage with and support the vibrant hospitality community across Australia.
