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The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology into the hospitality sector marks a significant shift in how businesses deliver customer service. In an industry where personalised experience is key, AI and tech offer a myriad of opportunities to enhance guest satisfaction and streamline operations. The Academy is showcasing suppliers in this webinar for currently attainable products and some that may be in the future.

Overview

Missed the session? 

If you miss the session you can watch on TUCO's Facebook page after the event or on YouTube 

Who is this for?

Any members who are interested in specific aspects of AI and technology in the subjects and suppliers described below.

Why should I take part?

Each of the webinars below either looks at operational efficiency and reduction in costs or ways to improve the customer experience for the better. Suppliers are either already available or are looking to expand into the University market place.

The following suppliers are taking part (subject to change) - each one will have separate joining links for the event so you can choose which webinar you take part in. Times will be confirmed in the coming weeks (some suppliers are based in the US so will be in be in the afternoon or early evening.) Please email [email protected] as an expression of interest and you will be notified when the webinars are 'live' to book on.

It's Lolly

Increase your efficiency and profitability using our latest innovations, from EPoS to Robots. We combine AI and software to create tech that scales with your business, integrated into one powerful platform.

This session will be delivered by Peter Moore who is the founder and CEO of It's Lolly

Peter's mission is to take state-of-the-art tech into the hospitality and education sector and to make it both accessible and productive​, he spent many years in senior roles at a number of tech companies but he is also a vineyard owner and lover of English wine!​

14:00 - 14:25 To book on this session, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_48g0TN0WSdaJ5Wuk0h27tg 

Amazon Just Walk Out

While a lot has changed in the 10 years since we started the journey to reimagine the physical shopping experience, one thing has remained constant: Shoppers still don’t like waiting in lines. That was the notion that originally led us to use computer vision, sensor fusion, and generative AI to invent checkout-free technologies like Just Walk Out.

This session will be delivered by Tom Brand, UK Business Development & Alliances Manager

Tom is a tenured sales leader with 15+ years selling and advising on cloud and technology solutions to a diverse portfolio of clients and verticals, underpinned by a passion for driving business outcomes and change through innovation and technology. Tom joined Amazon Web Services in 2016 as an Enterprise Account Manager where he was responsible for some of the UK’s largest retailers – helping them successfully navigate and accelerate their digital transformations. He transitioned to the Amazon Just Walk Out team in 2022 where he is responsible for driving new business in the UK, helping customers realise the benefits delivered by Amazon’s frictionless retail solution, and more recently he took on the role of UK Alliance Manager with the remit of scaling the Just Walk Out business through the development of strategic partnerships.

14:30 - 15:10 To book on this session, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HtlgbQQnSmucCXeIbocTeQ 

Touchwork

Fusing real-time feedback & audit data to enhance CX. Only real-time data solves real-time customer problems.
If it's not real-time, it's too late.

Jenny

This session will be delivered by Jennifer Wood, VP of Business Development.

Jennifer Wood has 25 years of experience using her strategic expertise to help higher education institutions navigate complex challenges, including 14 years working directly within higher education, giving her a deep understanding of the sector's unique challenges. As Vice President of Business Development at Touchwork, Jennifer helps colleges and universities leverage customer feedback and AI to make data-driven decisions that improve operations, enhance student experiences, and drive better outcomes. With leadership experience at organizations such as Unimarket, Ricoh USA, and Loyola University Maryland, she is passionate about applying her strategic insights to support higher education transformation, optimizing processes, increasing engagement, and driving lasting change.

15:15 - 15:45 To book on this session, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HDS-wpW6TkCZcZfWMCTltA 

Topanga

Technology that makes reuse scalable. 300 million tons of packaging waste heads to landfill each year. We’re changing that. We support the transition to circular consumption by making it easier for brands and organizations to switch to reusable packaging and improve their environmental impact. 

This session will be delivered by Sajni Patel, Director of Sales and Partnerships 

Sajni Patel is the Director of Sales & Partnerships at Topanga. She studied at University of California, Irvine where she studied Environmental Sciences, and previously held leadership roles at Bird and Snap Inc.

15:50 - 16:20 To book on this session, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rRdKf8_-SeePZ7ro6QQ2og 

Winnow

We are on a mission to connect the commercial kitchen, create a movement of chefs and inspire others to see that food is too valuable to waste.

This session will be delivered by the Founder and CEO Marc Zomes: 

Finding the Opportunity in Food Waste
Winnow Founder & CEO Marc Zornes will share:

  • How AI technology can cut food costs by 2-8%
  • Actionable insights on how leading global organisations are using data to cut food waste in half
  • Innovative research and behavioural change strategies universities like LSE are implementing to promote sustainable diets on campus

16:30 - 16:55 To book on to this session, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VOPUfDZzRT-HaxNzGO7MTg 

 

Blendid

Blendid is transforming how and what we eat, one robotic kiosk at a time. Many of us strive to eat healthier, especially when on-the-go, but getting access to food that fits our unique health needs and our unique tastes preferences is hard. That’s why we created Blendid, a contactless and autonomous robotic food kiosk that uses advanced technology – including robotics, machine vision, and artificial intelligence – to prepare and serve healthy and delicious food, customised to your preferences. 

Kaustav Mitra from Blendid will be joined by Chelsea Bairey, who is the Director of Dining and Events at University of Puget Sound - she is a customer of Blendid and is uniquely well positioned to add to the conversation from a peer's perspective. 

With over 12 years of experience at the University of Puget Sound, Chelsea serves as the Director of Dining and Events, overseeing a diverse range of dining operations, including the Dining Hall, cafes, pizza restaurant, catering services, and summer conference events. 
Chelsea holds a degree in Hospitality Business Management from Washington State University

Kaustav Mitra heads up partnerships and sales for Blendid, the only manufacturer of autonomous robotic systems for blending smoothies 24x7 on demand from fresh ingredients. He is a kabab enthusiast and an avid science fiction fan - Blendid allows him to combine his twin passions for food and future technologies. He has a degree in Economics from the University of Southern California.

17:00 - 17:25 To book on this session, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rMCEk90GRYShNJ2d-Ad9wg 

 

Pricing

All Members
£0.00

FAQs

  • I can’t see a particular course/training, can you run it?

    If you are interested in receiving training that is not already offered by TUCO Academy, pop us an email or give us a call and we will see if we can source it for you. By going through TUCO Academy you will be able to purchase the training at a subsidised rate and if you can offer the training to other members it will reduce the cost further. 

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

  • Can I request a course or development day be held at my organisation?

    The TUCO Academy has worked hard to offer all training at a subsidised price, agreeing reduced corporate contract rates with hotels etc. - yet still understands the benefits of in-house training. To that end, working alongside the professional trainers, TUCO Academy can arrange for events to be held at your own institution, for no extra cost. 

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

  • Who can use the training with TUCO Academy?

    All professional development events are available for ANY staff in institutions who are members of TUCO, not just employees in the hospitality, catering and commercial services department.

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

  • Can I book on behalf of someone else in my organisation?

    Yes – the person making the booking doesn’t have to attend.

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

  • How do I pay for my professional development event?

    You can opt to pay by credit card on the booking form directly or select to pay by invoice. If you need to submit a purchase order this can be entered in the booking form.

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

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