HRC 2026 Unveils Powerful Vision Stage and Future of Drinks Line-Up as Part of Bold New Era for the Show
HRC returns to Excel London from 30 March – 01 April 2026 as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. Built around industry feedback, HRC 2026 is designed to spark real conversation, address the toughest challenges facing the sector, and deliver meaningful business connections.
Central to this new direction is an ambitious programme of panels and interviews across the Vision Stage and Future of Drinks Stage, featuring 100+ industry leaders, operators and commentators tackling everything from leadership, equality and resilience to future food trends, social change and evolving consumer behaviour.
The speaker line-up includes Adam Handling MBE; Sally Abé; Kate Nicholls OBE, Sacha Lord, Henry Poultney, Charles Banks, Alison Battisby; Steve Alton; Vicky Painter; Laura Willoughby MBE and Jade Craig.
Vision Stage sessions include:
Adam Handling MBE in conversation
Chef Ambassador to HRC, Adam Handling MBE, speaks with Food Writer and Author Clare Finney about his career, philosophy, sustainability-first approach and how he leads the Adam Handling Collection in today’s challenging environment.
Sally Abé – On a knife edge: why women’s futures in hospitality matter
Following the open letter signed by 70 female hospitality professionals calling out sexism and inequality, HRC Ambassador Chef Sally Abé leads a panel of industry advocates to discuss workplace culture and unveil a new 10-point pledge aimed at driving meaningful change. The session focuses on practical actions to improve progression, representation and retention across hospitality.
Kate Nicholls OBE – The power of a united hospitality sector
In this interview-led session, Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of UKHospitality, shares her perspective on the strength, resilience and collective power of the hospitality industry. Speaking with Mark Stretton, CEO of Fleet Street Communications, the conversation
will focus on collaboration and progress, and how the sector can work together to shape a stronger future.
Sacha Lord – A fireside chat with Night Time Economy Advisor
Chair of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Sacha Lord joins Robert Richardson from the Institute of Hospitality for a candid discussion on the realities facing nightlife and hospitality, the future of the night-time economy, and what operators and government must do to support growth, resilience and innovation.
Cooking up street food success with NCASS
Delivered in partnership with NCASS, this practical panel brings together Emma Moran (Emerald Eats) and Vimal Arumugam (Baked Bird), moderated by Henry Poultney (Grace + James). The session shares real-world insights on launching, scaling and sustaining a street food business, covering compliance, costs, brand-building and standing out. The talk complements HRC’s new Street Food section – a lively, festival-style space for sampling, competitions and informal networking.
Charles Banks – Future Food Trends 2026/27
Charles Banks, Partner & Managing Director of thefoodpeople, and Kelly Dowson, Managing Director of Good Sense Research and The FIS Group, present an exclusive update on the Future Food Trend Tracker for 2026. Drawing from the latest consumer insights and market data, Charles & Kelly will explore which food and drink trends consumers are genuinely ready for, and which ones are still on the horizon.
TikTokers vs trend forecasters – who’s really driving food trends?
Alison Battisby of Avocado Social examines whether viral recipes and food trends are genuinely bubbling up from social media users, or are we seeing a more orchestrated cycle where industry insights shape what goes viral? What is the real relationship between organic social media movements and professional trend forecasting, with a look ahead to the social media landscape shaping 2026.
Future of Drinks Stage sessions include:
Wellbeing at work and what REALLY makes a difference to employees
Steve Alton CEO of the BII leads a panel exploring the vital link between workplace wellbeing and organisational success. The discussion will examine how supporting employees to be the best version of themselves drives greater efficiency, effectiveness, and long-term business performance.
Sipping smart: How weight loss drugs can change a night out
Vicky Painter (KAM) presents how GLP-1 weight loss drugs are changing how people drink, socialise, and engage with hospitality, and venues are beginning to see the effects. She shares the latest research on how these drugs are influencing drinking habits and social behaviour. Vicky will then lead an in-conversation interview with Michael Beeson, Head of Partnerships at Drinkaware, exploring what these shifts mean in practice for pubs, bars, and restaurants.
The harder side to soft drinks – making functional beverages work in your venue
Functional occasion drinks are having a real moment. With wellbeing now a key consumer priority and 79% of UK adults open to drinks that support relaxation, focus or sleep, the category is shifting from niche to major commercial opportunity. Join Laura Willoughby MBE of Club Soda as she moderates a panel exploring what this fast-growing segment means for drinks producers, retailers and venues.
Level up: A practical guide to competitive socialising
Led by Jade Craig of the Gamechangers Organisation, this panel looks at how competitive socialising is transforming nights out, turning venues into experience-led destinations where fun and friendly competition drive footfall.
Alongside the activity already announced, further programme highlights and additional high-profile names will be revealed over the next few weeks.
HRC 2026 is free to attend for trade professionals and takes place over three days. Registration is now open on the HRC website https://www.hrc.co.uk
