In this special edition of TechBytes, host Rob Grimes welcomes Matt Hodgins, Project Director at the Montgomery Group, to dive into one of the UK’s most important hospitality events: HRC – Hotel, Restaurant & Catering 2026, and its brand-new technology companion show, Hospitality Tech 360 (HT 360).
Celebrating its 91st year, HRC is the UK’s longest-running hospitality event, bringing together hotels, restaurants, catering, bars, bakeries, coffee, equipment, tableware, and more under one roof at ExCeL London, March 30 – April 1, 2026. Matt explains how extensive research between the 2025 and 2026 shows led to a refreshed floorplan and new feature areas—such as bars, pastry, and pizza & pasta—each with a distinct identity that makes the show easier to navigate and more valuable for visitors.
The conversation then zooms in on Hospitality Tech 360, a new tech-focused feature that recognizes just how rapidly technology is transforming hospitality. Rather than a traditional “walk the aisles and listen to talks” format, HT 360 is built around interaction, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.
Rob and Matt also touch on the broader Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the energy of live competitions like Salon Culinaire, and the evolving definition of “technology” across food tech, low/no alcohol innovation, stadium efficiency, and beyond.
If you’re a hospitality operator, tech leader, or supplier looking to connect with serious decision-makers and real-world solutions, this episode is your inside track to why HRC 2026 and HT 360 should be on your calendar.
Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | iHeartRadio
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