There’s less than two months to go until this year’s 42nd IHHC National Conference – the premier event for hospitality and healthcare professionals across Australia!

Once again the organising committee has pulled out all the stops to make 2025’s event one to remember, providing an unmatched opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest innovations and best practices shaping the future of our industry. If you haven’t yet booked to attend, there’s still time to make your plans – but be quick! The conference is due to be held at Melbourne’s Pullman on the Park hotel from 27 to 29 October.

The theme of this year’s conference is Mastering the Essentials: Collaborating to Achieve Extraordinary Results, emphasising the value of bringing industry experts, conference delegates, IHHC members and supporters together to participate in presentations, workshops and networking sessions – not forgetting the Conference Trade Expo, social events and the Gala Dinner on the final night.

We also have three keynote speakers who will be giving inspirational and motivational addresses over the course of the conference:

Jodie Cranham GAICD, founder of Cranham & Co Coaching, has over two decades of experience across health, aged care, disability and small business and focuses on focusing on leadership development, strategic planning and team engagement. Jodie will be speaking and conducting a workshop from 3.30pm on Monday 27 October.

Glenn Flood, culinary leadership coach who is committed to empowering chefs and hospitality professionals, has a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, starting as a chef before transitioning into his current role. Glenn conducts in-demand workshops, one-on-one coaching and strategic consulting and will be speaking on building high performing leaders on Tuesday 28 October from 4pm.

Dr David Fechner, Griffith University Research Fellow and sustainability expert, will speak on sustainability in hospitality and tourism on Wednesday 29 October from 3.45pm.

The interim program for the Conference is currently available to view online at https://www.ihhc.org.au/conference/2025-conference/program/

and we encourage all prospective delegates to familiarise themselves with what we have planned. Early arrivals on Sunday 26 October are invited to kick off the conference with us at the Duke of Wellington Hotel, 146 Flinders St Melbourne from 4.30pm (we will be meeting in the Pullman on the Park lobby at 4pm to take the tram together to the venue). This will be a relaxing social get-together of drinks, nobbles and an opportunity to catch up with friends, colleagues and industry peers prior to the start of the conference proper.

We have several site visits scheduled for Monday morning, 27 October, including of the world-class facilities at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Epworth Richmond Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Fitzroy. Those interested in participating can book these via the conference registration form.

The IHHC Culinary Competition is back for its fourth year, and this time will be held on the second night of the conference, Tuesday 28 October from 5.30pm. Please join us for what has become an exciting highlight of the event – you can read more about the competition here.

The Conference Trade Expo will be running across all three days and we encourage all delegates to take the opportunity to visit and speak with our valued supporters who will be only too happy to chat with you about their products and services. You can see a preview of what some of our supporters will have on show here.

Each year the conference is proud to support a charity and this year we have chosen Minus18, which is dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth. Their activities include workshops and professional training which champions inclusivity and provides up to date education to schools, workplaces and community organisations, along with awareness campaigns, youth leadership programs and a calendar of in-person and digital events for queer young people. You can learn more at www.minus18.org.au. Fundraising activities including raffles and auctions will be held throughout the conference and all donations will be greatly appreciated.

The culmination of the Conference, on Wednesday 29 October from 7pm, will be our Gala Dinner which incorporates the presentation of our National Awards of Excellence for 2025. This year’s dress theme is ‘All that Glitter is Gold’ – so please join us in your best gold and glitter for a sparkling evening, concluding as always with a chance to kick up your heels as we open up the dancefloor. We look forward to having you celebrate with us!