Co-located with The Coffee & Hospitality Expo →
We are thrilled to announce the first speakers for the ECS Talks Programme, featuring two exciting live podcasts from 5THWAVE. Engage in thought-provoking talks and industry leader interviews shaping the future of the European coffee & hospitality landscape.
Keep your eyes peeled for more to come...
Coffee & Hospitality 2.0: Building Better
13 November 2024 / 10:15 - 16:30 / The Grand Ballroom, InterContinental Berlin
Grind | Founder & CEO
David Abrahamovitch
David Abrahamovitch is the CEO and founder of cult London coffee brand Grind. In 2011, he turned his father’s mobile phone store in Shoreditch into a coffee shop, and its “café by day, cocktail bar by night” concept turned Grind into a local hotspot. Now, the company boasts 14 locations across London and sells millions of coffees each year via a thriving DTC and grocery business, helping thousands drink better coffee at home, in addition to being the exclusive supplier to Soho House. David’s vision is to grow Grind to become the leading at-home coffee brand, encouraging people to enjoy speciality coffee in a sustainable way.
Espresso House | Chief Franchise & Business Development Officer
Petra Dahlman
Petra Dahlman joined Espresso House Group in 2016. She has held various leadership roles within the company and been part of the equity brand expansion within the Nordics and later on Germany now adding up to nearly 500 coffee shops and 6500 employees. Today, as Chief Franchise and Business Development Officer, the company is starting its journey to bring the Espresso House experience to more consumers across the globe through franchising. To bring meaningful moments of joy to the world through the Nordic warmth of the Fika moment. Before joining Espresso House Group, Petra held various leadership roles at McDonald’s and worked as a Senior Advisor at Prime Weber Shandwick.
Dean & David | Founder & CEO
David Baumgartner
David Baumgartner is the visionary Founder and CEO of Dean & David, a leading brand in healthy fast-casual dining. Under his leadership, Dean & David has grown into a renowned chain known for its commitment to fresh, nutritious, and delicious food options. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, David continues to drive the brand’s expansion and influence in the food industry.
Zeit Für Brot | Brand & Experience Lead
Karolin Saak
Karolin Saak is the dynamic Brand & Experience Lead at Zeit Für Brot, a distinguished bakery chain celebrated for its commitment to quality and sustainability. With a keen eye for brand development and customer experience, Karolin plays a pivotal role in shaping the brand's identity and enhancing its market presence. Her innovative approach and dedication to creating memorable customer experiences have significantly contributed to the brand's growth and success in the competitive bakery industry.
We are just getting started! More exciting talks and sessions are being added to the ECS 2024 programme. Stay tuned as we continue to announce additional speakers and topics that will provide invaluable insights and inspiration for the coffee and hospitality industry.
09:00: Jeffery Young, Founder & CEO
Allegra Group & World Coffee Portal
"Scaling Success. How to fast track your growth and navigate the current economic landscape."
09:30 ROLAND HORNE, Founder & CEO
WatchHouse
“Why our real daily pressure is our own quick demise (stick with me for a minute….)”
09:55 Ignacio Llado Alvarez-Salas, UK Managing Director
Blank Street Coffee
"Redefining the Coffee Shop Chain"
11:00: Yassir Rais, Founder & CEO
Syra Coffee
"Democratizing specialty coffee - Excellence from "bean to cup" while scaling with Syra Coffee."
11:25 Laurent Sagarra, Vice President Sustainability
JDE Peet's
“Sustainability isn’t a product, it’s an intrinsic company value: The culture shift to deliver true impact and business growth.”
11:50 Koral Ibrahim, Founder & Managing Director
The Ready House
“Stop Obsessing Over Customer Acquisition! Unlock the Power of Community Through Social-First Thinking.”
14:00 - 16:00
Hosted by Jeffrey Young, Editor-in-chief of 5THWAVE magazine and founder of Allegra Group, the Live Podcast Series at ECS will delve into thought leadership from entrepreneurs and industry experts across Europe.
14:00: Marta Pogroszewska, Managing Director
GAIL's Bakery
In this upcoming 5THWAVE Live Podcast, we will delve into the fascinating journey of GAIL'S, one of Europe's most rapidly expanding coffee-centric bakery chains, and uncover the key elements behind their remarkable success.
14:30: ELAINE SWIFT, OUT-OF-HOME DIRECTOR
UCC Coffee Europe
In this exclusive interview, Jeffrey will delve into the remarkable journey of Elaine Swift, one of the world's most accomplished female leaders in the realm of total coffee solutions for foodservice providers. From her initial days at First Choice, navigating buyouts, to her current role as the head of the European foodservice unit at UCC, Elaine will unveil the secrets behind her extraordinary career and the enduring culture she has cultivated.
15:00: Adrian Steiner, CEO
Thermoplan
Jeffrey unveils the journey of Thermoplan's linchpin, Adrian Steiner. Starting as Thermoplan's 21st employee, Adrian Steiner climbed the ranks, expertly managing pivotal U.S. clients. By 2009, the founding family recognized his prowess, elevating him to management and granting co-ownership. Under his leadership, Thermoplan burgeoned from a modest team to an industry powerhouse of 500+. Dive into the tale of a transformative leader.
15:30: GUIDO BERNARDINELLI, CEO
La Marzocco
Jeffrey delves into how, in just over a decade, Guido, along with a newly formed management team have contributed to turning a small, underdog cult player from Florence into a fast growing and successful traditional coffee equipment brand known the world over.
LEARN FROM THE GREATEST MINDS
Connect with 500 industry leaders for 3 days of strategic new business development, knowledge exchange, and high-level networking.