NYCHG at ICE

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Photo credit: Xanthe Elbrick Photography

On September 26th, 2019, the NYC Hospitality Group hosted a panel discussion and networking event at the Institute of Culinary Education in Brookfield Place. The event, “From Bad Word to Buzzword: Disruption in Hospitality,” brought together owners and operators from the hospitality industry as well as a group of students enrolled in the Culinary Management Diploma program for an evening of lively – if not downright rowdy – discussion.

The panel featured three experts in disruption: Corey Manicone from Zuul Kitchen, Vishal Agarwal from It’s a Check Mate, and Susan Beth from NRD Capital. The moderator, NYCHG member Kate Edwards, founder at Kate Edwards & Company, got the panel started with a question about how various pain points in the hospitality industry have paved the way for disruptive technologies, solutions, and brands to emerge. Each panelist brought his or her unique perspective and insights on the topic. Questions from the audience started almost immediately with one operator, from a successful NYC chain, raising concerns that some of the disruptive brands were actually hurting the small operator. This turned the discussion into an emotional and intense repartee between the audience members and the expert panel, and the pain of operators was brought to life by many in the audience willing to share the struggles they’ve experienced as the industry has changed.

The event culminated on a high note of enthusiasm for the topic at hand and left the audience with a lingering feeling that the outdated methods & mindsets of many owners in the hospitality industry are a barrier to success in the changing landscape of hospitality and tech. The lively energy from the panel discussion continued with enthusiasm for another hour as the panelists and attendees networked and shared ideas with each other and the students in the room. And the party continued past 9pm… a great sign of a successful event!