Why I've Changed My Mind About Networking (And What It Means for 700 Hospitality Solutions)

Let me be honest with you: I've never been a natural networker. The conference rooms, the elevator pitches, the polished small talk - it's never been my comfort zone. My approach to hospitality has always been built on a simple principle: bring the guests through the door, and I'll make sure they never want to leave.

So when the calendar fills up with networking events, venue visits and industry meet-and-greets, I'll admit - it's usually my least favourite time of year.

But something shifted last week. And I think it's worth talking about.

When "Selling" Stops Feeling Like Selling

Over the course of a few days, I had the pleasure of visiting some brilliant venues, spending time with some genuinely talented teams, and falling into the kind of conversations that remind you why you got into this industry in the first place.

We talked about hospitality. We talked about service. We talked about training - the real nuts and bolts of it, the challenges venues face, and the small changes that can make a huge difference to a guest's experience.

And somewhere along the way, I stopped thinking about it as "networking" at all. The ideas were flowing. The energy was there. It wasn't a sales conversation - it was a genuine exchange between people who care deeply about doing hospitality well.

It's Time to Grow

Those conversations lit a fire. And they confirmed something I've been thinking about for a while now: it's time for 700 Hospitality Solutions to grow.

Not growth for the sake of it - but intentional, purposeful growth. The kind that means we can add even more value to the hospitality businesses we work with. That means:

Taking a few calculated risks.

Investing in the right people.

Building something that truly raises the bar for hospitality training and service.

We've been working on a new 700 Solutions experience behind the scenes - something I'm genuinely excited to share - and it's almost time to pull back the curtain.

A Genuine Thank You

To every venue, team and individual I had the pleasure of visiting, eating with and training alongside last week - thank you. You reminded me that the best part of this industry isn't just the guest experience we create. It's the community of passionate, dedicated people who are committed to making it better every day.

More exciting news coming very soon.