Is Hospitality Ready for an Inclusive Supply Chain?

By Lorraine Copes

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) isn’t merely a concept; it’s integral to how we operate and conduct business. Its impact extends beyond employee experiences, influencing every aspect of business, including guests, community, and financial decisions. Is hospitality ready for an inclusive supply chain?

With personally over two decades in hospitality procurement and supply chain, I’ve observed a significant lack of representation in decision-making roles, echoing throughout the entire supply chain, from goods to services.

That aside, I enjoyed working within the hospitality supply chain because it attracts individuals passionate about food and drink. These individuals genuinely care about their work and often imbue their products with personal stories, sometimes reflecting culture, heritage, and tradition.

This inherent trait is evident across all demographics in food and drink.

I’m particularly excited about our upcoming Meet the Buyer event that we are hosting in collaboration with Distill Ventures. While the concept of Meet the Buyer isn’t new, this event is the first tailored to our specific objectives.

Over the past four years, we’ve cultivated a vibrant community of ethnically diverse founders and national hospitality operators committed to advancing EDI.

This event will serve as a platform to foster new connections, engage in meaningful discussions, and sample delicious drinks.

So is hospitality ready for an inclusive supply chain? Absolutely! Operators already confirmed to attend include The Alchemist Bars and Restaurants, Rare Restaurants, and Hawksmoor, with 12 operators in total due to attend on the day.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 21st June 2024
Time: 12pm-5pm
Location: Diageo 1HQ, London

Who should attend?

Decision-makers from national on-trade operators, including bars, restaurants, hotels, and distributors. ethnically diverse drinks founders specialising in Spirits, No & Low, and RTD.

How to apply:

Visit our Meet the Buyer page for more details, eligibility and application instructions.

At Be Inclusive Hospitality, our ultimate goal is cultivating a more inclusive and diverse hospitality industry. This event marks a crucial step toward extending these principles across the supply chains.

If you have any thoughts, questions or are keen to get involved, feel free to contact me here!

Lorraine