Are you looking for practical tools to lead with confidence and bring out the best in your team?

Join industry expert Marg Main in this practical and interactive workshop designed for current and aspiring hospitality leaders. Together, we’ll explore the real challenges leaders face and unpack straightforward strategies to overcome them. Learn the difference between a leader and a manager, how to delegate effectively using Situational Leadership, and how to keep your team motivated and performing at their best.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clear understanding of your role as a leader
• Tools to lead with confidence and clarity
• Delegation techniques that build trust and accountability
• Strategies to retain staff and boost team engagement

Who Should Attend:

• New Managers: Those stepping up into a leadership role will gain the tools and confidence needed to succeed.
• Experienced Managers: Seasoned leaders looking to hone and refine their leadership skills will benefit greatly from this workshop.

Presented by: Marg Main, Turning Tables

Marg Main is the founder of Turning Tables, a hospitality training and coaching business focused on helping business owners nationwide to retain, develop and grow their teams. Marg is an industry professional with over 30 years of experience in a mixture of roles and venues across the hospitality sector. She remains passionate about utilising her experience to inspire, interest and educate hospitality staff and managers across NZ. Marg is a creative and engaging facilitator who brings a fabulous sense of humour and fun to her sessions.

Join this practical workshop tailored for hospitality staff in cafes and restaurants to gain valuable insights and skills for dealing with challenging customer interactions and resolving complaints effectively.

Customer complaints can be tough, but they also offer a chance to show great service and build lasting relationships. In this practical workshop, you’ll learn why customers complain and the common issues you might face in your role. Discover how to use the proven LEARN process to create win-win outcomes that satisfy customers and support your business.

You’ll also discover practical solutions that resolve issues quickly and leave a lasting positive impression on your customers.

By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped to:

• Understand why customers complain and how to handle issues calmly
• Use the LEARN process to resolve conflicts positively
• Find practical solutions that benefit both customers and the business
• Build confident, customer-focused teams that create positive brand experiences

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is perfect for anyone working front of house, from servers and bar staff to restaurant managers, looking to enhance their customer service skills and learn how to handle challenging situations with confidence.

Presented by: Marg Main, Turning Tables

Marg Main is the founder of Turning Tables, a hospitality training and coaching business focused on helping business owners nationwide to retain, develop and grow their teams. Marg is an industry professional with over 30 years of experience in a mixture of roles and venues across the hospitality sector. She remains passionate about utilising her experience to inspire, interest and educate hospitality staff and managers across NZ. Marg is a creative and engaging facilitator who brings a fabulous sense of humour and fun to her sessions.

Early bird Tickets $65

When revenue dips, every dollar counts. In this session, we’ll show you how to take control of your menu costs and pricing strategy. Learn to read and use your P&L, understand where your money is going, and make pricing decisions that protect your margin without scaring off customers. We’ll unpack ideal COGS targets, menu costing tips, and how to rethink pricing in a high-cost environment.

What you’ll learn:

• A clear understanding of how to control food and beverage costs
• Practical tools to cost and price your menu for profit
• Confidence to make data-driven decisions that support your business
• Strategies to stay competitive while protecting your margins

This workshop doesn’t just teach you the theory, it equips you with actionable strategies to make a real impact in your business.

Presented by

Benedikt Bouillon: Habit Consulting

Benedikt has 20 years of experience in Hotels, Restaurants and the Wine Industry. A typical hotel career, he started from the ground up, working as a Waiter, Porter and Receptionist before progressing to more Senior Roles, eventually running Ultra-Luxury Lodges Matakauri and Kauri Cliffs. His career took him from his home country of Germany to London and Vienna, before adding stops in Melbourne and New Zealand, working for bigger corporate hotel companies such as Mandarin Oriental and Luxury Collection by Marriott just as much as smaller scale, privately owned businesses including Boutique Hotel Adelphi and Waiheke Island’s iconic vineyard Stonyridge.

This training is delivered with the support of the Hospitality Training Trust

Early bird Tickets $65

Slower months often bring unpredictable rosters and ballooning wage percentages. This session dives into how to plan smarter, reduce unnecessary hours, and make sure your team is set up for success without overstaffing. We’ll also explore practical cash flow strategies that can help you stay in control – even when turnover is down.

You’ll walk away with:

• Strategies to manage wage costs and improve rostering efficiency

• Practical tools to align staffing with sales forecasts

• Cash flow tips to stay ahead during quieter periods

• Insights to keep your team engaged while reducing unnecessary spend

This workshop doesn’t just teach you the theory, it equips you with actionable strategies to make a real impact in your business.

Presented by

Benedikt Bouillon: Habit Consulting

Benedikt has 20 years of experience in Hotels, Restaurants and the Wine Industry. A typical hotel career, he started from the ground up, working as a Waiter, Porter and Receptionist before progressing to more Senior Roles, eventually running Ultra-Luxury Lodges Matakauri and Kauri Cliffs. His career took him from his home country of Germany to London and Vienna, before adding stops in Melbourne and New Zealand, working for bigger corporate hotel companies such as Mandarin Oriental and Luxury Collection by Marriott just as much as smaller scale, privately owned businesses including Boutique Hotel Adelphi and Waiheke Island’s iconic vineyard Stonyridge.

This training is delivered with the support of the Hospitality Training Trust

Following on from the workshop this month on How to Manage Bullying and Harassment Effectively, this update provides a simplified overview of key tips you should know about Bullying and Harassment.

Bullying is defined as persistent, irrational behavior that is likely to cause bodily or psychological harm to a person or individuals. Join us as we discuss workplace bullying and harassment, as well as your responsibilities in the event that such incidents occur.

Stay  informed with the Restaurant Association’s Monthly Helpline Update! Join our helpline advisors for an overview of the latest legal and employment-related developments impacting New Zealand hospitality businesses. Don’t miss out on crucial insights to keep your establishment thriving. Register now!

Creating a Safer Workplace: Bullying & Harassment Workshop
Join us for an empowering workshop designed to tackle bullying and harassment in the workplace. This session will provide practical strategies to foster a respectful and inclusive environment, equipping participants with the tools to identify, prevent, and address harmful behaviours. Learn how to build a positive workplace culture, understand your rights and responsibilities, and support staff in creating a safe and supportive space for all.

This workshop is designed to be informal and interactive, encouraging employers to share their experiences as well as answer any questions they might have.

This workshop won’t be recorded.

 Presented by Debbie Humphrey

Proudly supported by Uber Eats and Ringa Hora

In today’s rapidly evolving hospitality landscape, the pursuit of sustainable revenue growth requires a proactive approach to identifying and capitalizing on new income streams. This presentation will explore innovative strategies and tactics for discovering and developing untapped revenue opportunities within hospitality businesses, enabling them to diversify their income sources and enhance long-term financial performance.

Traditionally, revenue generation in the hospitality sector has been heavily reliant on core offerings such as dining, beverages and event services. However, to stay competitive and resilient in the face of changing consumer preferences, businesses must adopt a mindset of continuous innovation and exploration.

The session will delve into the process of revenue reimagination, emphasising the importance of market research, trend analysis, and customer insights in uncovering emerging opportunities. From leveraging underutilised assets to exploring new distribution channels and partnerships, attendees will gain insights into a range of strategies for expanding their revenue streams beyond traditional avenues.

By equipping attendees with the knowledge and tools to discover and develop new income streams, this session aims to inspire hospitality leaders to adopt a proactive and innovative approach to revenue generation, positioning their businesses for success in an ever-changing marketplace.

Presenter Bio:

Debbie Humphrey has been a successful business owner since the age of 19. She launched an outsourced corporate venturing services company and was awarded Startup Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005. For the past decade, Debbie has focused on supporting ambitious business owners with market intelligence to help clarify their growth strategies. She has worked with more than 100 companies per year and is now developing a market-led strategic planning tool aimed at maximizing wealth through business investment. Recently, Debbie raised friends and family capital for Disrupt, a Fintech venture. She will lead an interactive workshop as part of the campfire session on ‘Revenue Reimagined: Discovering and Developing New Income Streams.’

Restaurant Association Speaker Series: 5 Part Hospitality Webinar Package

Join us for a dynamic series of one-hour online sessions designed specifically for hospitality business owners and operators. Each session brings together inspiring and insightful speakers who dive into key topics shaping the future of hospitality. From emerging trends and leadership strategies to operational innovations and guest experience essentials, these conversations are built to provoke fresh thinking and add practical tools to your business toolkit. Tune in, get inspired, and walk away ready to elevate your business. 

Get the full experience
Purchase the complete 5-webinar package and enjoy access to all sessions at a discounted rate. This option gives you the full suite of content — a perfect opportunity to stay ahead, energise your team, and implement fresh ideas across your business.

Session 1 –  Revenue Reimagined: Discovering and Developing New Income Streams 

Presented by Debbie Humphrey 

Session 2 – Navigating Failure: From Closed Kitchens to Bottled Success

Presented by Luis Cabrera

Session 3 – Thriving at Work: Improving Mental Health and Resilience in Hospo.

Presented by Tim Read

Session 4 – Stop Serving Meals—Start Creating Experiences: How to Stand Out & Keep Diners Coming Back

Presented by Stacey Jones

Session 5 – TBC 

Why buy the full series?

• Access to all 5 expert-led webinars

• Save with a bundled discount

• Best value for ongoing professional development

Prefer to pick and choose?
No problem — each webinar is also available for individual purchase if you’d like to select specific sessions. Click here to find them

Join us for this 4-hour Essential First Aid course, designed to cover all the basics you’ll need to know for hospitality workplace safety. This course meets the Worksafe requirements, ensuring your workplace remains compliant and prepared for any emergencies.

Participants will learn fundamental first aid skills, including how to handle common injuries, respond to medical emergencies, and use basic first aid equipment. This training is ideal for those wanting to boost their confidence in managing workplace incidents and is an essential addition to any workplace safety program.

On completion attendees will be able to:

• Recognise life-threatening situations
• Offer vital assistance before more experienced help arrives

Attendees will receive an Essential First Aid certificate which is valid for 2 years.

RA has partnered with St John to offer a condensed First Aid training tailored to the hospitality industry. While this course is not NZQA accredited first aider, attendees will receive a St John attendance certificate which can go towards your workplace health and safety program.

This workshop covers scenarios related to hospitality:

• Burns, cuts, fractures, sprains
• Allergic reactions
• Scene assessment and danger mitigations
• CPR & foreign body airway obstruction
• Patient assessment and positioning

On completion attendees will be able to:

• Recognise life-threatening situations
• Offer vital assistance before more experienced help arrives

RA has partnered with St John to offer a condensed First Aid training tailored to the hospitality industry. While this course is not NZQA accredited first aider, attendees will receive a St John attendance certificate which can go towards your workplace health and safety program.

This workshop covers scenarios related to hospitality:

• Burns, cuts, fractures, sprains
• Allergic reactions
• Scene assessment and danger mitigations
• CPR & foreign body airway obstruction
• Patient assessment and positioning

On completion attendees will be able to:

• Recognise life-threatening situations
• Offer vital assistance before more experienced help arrives