RAISING THE BAR
Presented by TAB, MAX & SKY, this year’s AHG Expo had its highest attendance in history with more than 4,200 confirmed visitors.
On 25 and 26 March, people from all corners of the national and international hospitality industry filtered through the halls of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, which came alive as all kinds of innovative products were showcased across two massive days.
The excitement was palpable as the managers of clubs, pubs, hotels, cafés, and restaurants relished the experience of tasting and trialling new products first-hand, all while being able to speak to the suppliers in person.
From food and beverage to gaming, construction, furniture, design, entertainment, and technology, there was certainly something for everyone. The exhibitors stepped it up this year too, with their stands not only being friendly, inviting places to network, but also remarkable spectacles themselves.
Functions & Events Manager at the Harvey Bay RSL, Ali Clenton, visited the AHG Expo for the first time this year.
“It’s just fantastic. We came to get more ideas on what we can do to better our club, and we had plenty of stands we were really keen to see.
“Thank you so very much to all the exhibitors for putting on such a great show,” she said.
There were plenty of activities and laughs to be had across the two days, especially on the Discovery Deck, which saw Jack Daniel’s ever-popular free sensory tasting session on day one, followed by Diageo’s beloved masterclasses and cocktail competition on day two.
Congratulations to Nalita Grundy from the Norths Leagues & Services Club for winning the AHG Diageo Cocktail Competition with her Polaris ‘North Star’. On the day, she said her cocktail represented her love for Norths.
“Norths was built on a pineapple plantation, which is why I made a pineapple syrup. This cocktail was also hugely influenced by our head chef, who has always supported and mentored me.”
Taking place upstairs, AHG Talks was also a big hit, with the series of free educational seminars providing industry professionals with expert insights into hospitality, gaming, and technology trends.
But that’s not all — 24 March also saw the expo’s most successful AHG Congress yet. After an incredible line-up of presentations, attendees left with practical strategies and the tools to build a stronger and more resilient venue.
On the day, Chief Commercial and Media Officer at Tabcorp, Jarrod Villani, said they’re proud to have been associated with the AHG Expo for over a decade.
“We’ve had teams come from all over the country to be here. It’s incredibly important for representing TAB and MAX. It’s also super efficient for us and a great way to connect with people.
“It’s a fantastic environment where we get to showcase the new innovations we have to offer, directed at our core customers who’ve also travelled from all over the country to be here.
“We put in an incredible effort and invest heavily here because we definitely get a return from it. It’s very, very rare that you get the majority of your customers in one place at one time, so it’s invaluable.
“Even just walking around this morning before opening, we’ve loved having conversations with the other businesses too,” he said.
From its humble beginnings on the Gold Coast to the biggest hospitality event in Queensland, the AHG Expo has certainly come a long way. That being said, we’re keen to hear your thoughts. If you have any feedback on how we can make the next event even better, please feel free to reach out to .
Thank you to all exhibitors and attendees — without your creativity and enthusiasm, the AHG Expo wouldn’t be as celebrated as it is. For those keen to return for next year’s event on 17 and 18 March, be sure to visit ahgexpo.com and sign up to the mailing list to stay up to date.
See you again in 2027!
