AHG EXPO GETS BIGGER AND BETTER

Though the wild Queensland weather caused some doubt, the AHG Expo went ahead on Wednesday March 12 and Thursday March 13 without incident – proving no tropical cyclone could rain on this parade.

Even before the expo doors officially opened, the relief and jubilation on the floor was palpable. And with 2025 marking ten years since the AHG Expo’s humble beginnings on the Gold Coast, there was even more cause for celebration.

Almost 3,500 visitors from all over Australia poured through the doors of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre across the two-day event, with more than 1000 arriving in the first hour.

AHG Expo CEO Kelly Egan says this was a major success.

“Given the challenges on foot and the speculative media reporting prior to event, the result was terrific,” he said, “especially seeing – and then hearing later – that there was consistency of visitation across the two days.”

Megsie Goldau, General Manager of the Beachmere Hotel, brought a team of four to this year’s expo so they could collectively scout for industry innovation – and take in an enjoyable staff development experience at the same time.

“I like to come to AHG Expo to see new products and be across what’s happening in our industry,” Megsie says. “But visiting AHG Expo really benefits our team, and therefore our business as well, through the personal growth and development we see among our people. It all links together.”

That was especially true in 2025. It wasn’t just exhibitors debuting new products and services – the AHG Expo itself delivered a number of firsts. From the Discovery Deck (a dedicated speakers’ stage for industry-leading exhibitors) to Diageo’s tequila masterclass, visitors had no shortage of things to see and do out on the floor.

Of course, there were many expo classics that returned, too. The much-anticipated AHG Diageo Cocktail Competition was one, upping the ante in 2025 by featuring six finalists – not the usual three – in a heated ‘pubs vs. clubs’ battle.

 

Twenty-two-year-old Food and Bev manager Abbey Hodges-Lockwood, of Club Forbes, was “amazed” to be crowned winner of the competition with her ‘Sunset Velvet Margarita’.

“I never thought it could be me!” she beamed.

In Brisbane for the first time, Abbey said the whole Cocktail Competition experience has been incredible for her career. She put her win down to one key ingredient: Peaches, direct from Forbes. And a splash of Casamigos Tequila, of course.

As the winner of the competition, Abbey scored a $500 Visa gift card and will join the second- and third-placegetters on a trip to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a VIP ‘Blend Your Own Rum’ experience. Abbey will even receive a case of her unique rum blend, to use at Club Forbes.

A true showstopper, the cocktail competition has drawn crowds since it was introduced at the 2023 AHG Expo. Its growth demonstrates the AHG Expo’s ability to change with industry trends, particularly with regard to the hospitality sector.

“The expo has evolved into a diverse hospitality offering that resonates across the state,” Kelly said. “It helps visitors and exhibitors maintain professional and social relationships for intrastate and interstate connection year after year.”

Visitors like Debby and Terry Sullivan, of the Murwillumbah Golf Club, attest to this, iterating how important the AHG Expo is for maintaining connections.

“We come annually because it gives us a chance to catch up with our reps in person,” Terry said, adding that the new equipment on show is another big drawcard.

Returning exhibitors also spoke about the excitement in Queensland right now. Mark Tucker, Director of Plant Image, said the AHG Expo is always worth the drive up from his native Victoria.

“It’s the people that keep us coming back, both the exhibitors and the visitors. The decision makers come here,” he said. “We have loads of building interest at the moment, especially in Queensland, so it’s a great opportunity to tap into the gaming sector.”

New exhibitors PFD Foods agreed.

“We’re tapping into the club market, so we would be crazy not to be here,” said Daryn Gilder, State Sales Manager. “It’s a great opportunity to talk to people, have them try our products, and work out the problems that we can solve for them.

“We will definitely be back.”