As a key element of the Futureminded event framework, our series of Masterclasses will provide delegates with actionable market insights and an opportunity to engage in debate with thought leaders in the food, wellness and hospitality industries. Featuring a carefully curated line-up of speakers, topics to be discussed include how to design a compelling next-generation brand and how to influence others into positive action.
Founded in 1927 by Giuseppe and Bruno Bambi, La Marzocco has traditionally specialized in producing high end, hand crafted professional espresso coffee machines geared towards excellence, a quality cup and style. Today, La Marzocco remains an artisan company, while offering important advancements in equipment technology to its customers and the coffee community at large.
The thirst for specialty food and drink experiences shows no sign of slowing down. Even as businesses operate in an ever-changing social and economic climate, the one thing that is for certain is that consumers crave unique experiences and value for money. Working closely with some of the country’s finest specialty coffee roasters, La Marzocco has been fundamental in building community and supporting hospitality in a continually developing environment. This is, in part, down to a commitment to bringing together like-minded players and artisan operators.
In this ‘communityminded’ panel discussion, led by La Marzocco's Dan Harvey, participants will focus on how hospitality businesses can maintain their core beliefs, “why” they do what they do, and how they can sustain growth whilst being true to their DNA. More specifically, it will focus on events, social media and education.
“We are nothing without an engaged and loyal community backing us, and we are lucky enough to operate in an industry with a devoted following,” said Dan. “As such, we will ask ‘How do you maintain the soul and ethos of your original mission statement and continue to pay service to the existing community whilst actively engaging a new audience.’”
Who's on the panel?
Paul Kelly
As General Manager of La Marzocco UK & Ireland, Paul Kelly brings invaluable insights to the communityminded panel.
With experience in setting up the UK & Ireland distribution office for La Marzocco in 2012, after working in the coffee industry already, Paul saw that speciality coffee really started to build in 2007 and La Marzocco could sense a change in the coffee community and feel a passion for quality starting to flourish. The UK consumer was searching for that meaningful experience; the affordable luxury. They uncovered this by exploring independent cafes and roasteries, each with their own distinct personality, which became popular places in their respective communities.
In establishing La Marzocco UK, the relationship between manufacturer, the roaster, the café operator and the consumer strengthened and created intense customer loyalty. These are the same sentiments that allowed the company to open their second UK hub this year in Leeds city centre, in an impassioned effort to support and bolster the coffee community in the north of the UK.
Paul’s experience in speciality coffee and community building was honoured in 2018 when he received an award for his ‘Significant Contribution to the Industry’ at the European Coffee Awards.
Eve Wagg
Eve Wagg, is the Founder and CEO of Well Grounded. Well Grounded runs a series of Speciality Coffee Training Academies, linking people looking for work with careers in the coffee industry.
As London’s first social enterprise solely focused on developing talent within the speciality coffee industry, Well Grounded provides coffee training to the highest European Standards. Linking local people to local specialty coffee jobs, Well Grounded offers ongoing professional development for all graduates and works with over 160 employers to find, develop, and nurture talent. Since launching in 2016, 330 people have been trained, and 152 have moved into work, training or further education.
What sets Well Grounded apart is that they work with people who have faced social and economic disadvantage to offer free SCA accreditation, mentorship and employment support.
Previous to launching Well Grounded, Eve worked for over a decade in the voluntary sector and has a passion and drive for social change.
Daniel Thompson
Daniel is a senior hospitality consultant with over 15 years of experience in the industry, with the last eight focusing on business development, openings and operations.
He previously worked as Head of Coffee Development for Soho House before moving into the role of Director of Openings. Prior to this, Daniel was a key part of the team that brought the hugely successful Caravan Restaurants bar and roastery concept to London. Today, his current focus is start-ups and new concepts with an emphasis on people, product and experience.
Daniel has a keen interest in sustainability, volunteers for homeless charity Crisis and is also a Non-Exectuive Board Member for the charity Well Grounded.
Richard Singleton
Richard is the Founder and Director of Essential Studio and The Essential Journal. Beginning life as a local publication distributed in Liverpool, with the support of the Princes Trust, Richard has developed The Essential Journal into a nationally distributed publication.
Working with clients such as Rolex, Jaguar Land Rover, The Open golf championship and La Marzocco, the publication has organically grown into a full service creative agency providing, among other services, the production of bespoke publications, brand development and content creation. The studio's flagship publication, The Essential Journal has recently launched its 50th issue and celebrated five years in print, and this year featured David Gandy on the front cover.