Page 12 - MidWeek - March 15, 2023

12 MIDWEEK MARCH 15, 2023
Among the participants at the Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show will be (from left) Jean- Paul Gedeon, John Elkjer, Ted Davenport and John Erickson.
STORY BY
GINGER KELLER
P H O T O S B Y
Industry experts are coming up big with new products and opportunities at this year’s Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show.
owner and pizza maker at Domino’s Hawaiʻi, another event sponsor, adds, “Dom- ino’s Hawaiʻi always sup- ports the Hawaiʻi Hotel & Restaurant Show, as it is our one show a year that helps us connect with innovation and vendors specifically for our industry. The show allows us to provide lunch for our peers and give fist bumps to all of those that overcame the incredible challenges of the past year.”
because he’s not the type to sit around and wait for the prob- lem to fix itself, the veteran restaurant franchisee took it upon himself to learn more about what options are out there. Through his research, he discovered hospitality robots and what they could do for his eateries and the industry as a whole.
IANTHONY CONSILLIO
f asked to describe Ha- the latest and greatest in their
cials, too. Meanwhile, a silent auction — featuring items like tickets to professional football games, airfare, hotel stays and more — will also be in full swing, with the funds going toward HLTA’s popular scholarship program.
and show up their best because that’s when you get to learn the most about everyone, and, at the same time, we get to show off what we’re doing.”
“A company called Kennon has robots that I really like and saw in some of the restaurants throughout Asia,” says Dav- enport, who is the franchisor for Subway in Hawai‘i as well as a franchisee for Ruby Tuesdays and Gyu-Kaku. “We started talking and they asked if I could help them out with distribution.”
waiʻi in only a few words, respective fields.
This year’s event will fea- ture a number of leaders in the sustainability, innovation and promotion spheres. Here’s a look at four of these local busi- ness owners and what their representatives have to say about the upcoming Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show.
most people would likely “We want to demonstrate mention the sun, sea, surf that Hawaiʻi can be a major
and aloha spirit. But Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, wants to add one more word to the list.
place to host a show of this kind because usually you have to go to the mainland or Asia,” says Hannemann. “This is our attempt at being the premier hospitality and restaurant trade show in the Pacific region.”
Jean-Paul Gedeon, CEO and co-founder of JPG Ha- waiʻi (see more on page 13), recalls the buzzing energy he felt in the room at previous shows.
“Everyone in our industry is busy,” echos Jason Wong, regional president of Sys- co Hawaiʻi, a sponsor of the event. “The show gives the op- erators time to really step back and take a moment to look at new innovations, products and technologies that can really help grow their businesses. Taking time to work on the business is something that we all want to do but getting to do that doesn’t always hap- pen. This show is the perfect opportunity to do it.”
As a partner of USA Robot- ics Services, Davenport wants to make something clear: The robots aren’t here to replace people, contrary to popular belief.
“We’re a great place to not only come and vacation, but to do business, too,” he says.
A partnership between HLTA, Hawaiʻi Restaurant Association and Star Events, a division of Oʻahu Publica- tions Inc., the two-day event not only boasts nearly a hun- dred vendors, but educational seminars covering topics such as sustainability, water con- servation and occupational safety from city and state offi-
A range of robots will be unveiled at this year’s show, all capable of performing functions such as bussing tables. PHOTO COURTESY USA ROBOTICS SERVICES
One way he hopes to put the state on the map is through the upcoming Hawaiʻi Hotel & Restaurant Show, slated for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 22-23 at Hawaiʻi Convention Cen- ter. Now in its third year, the highly anticipated trade show hosts experts in the hospital- ity industry who will exhibit
“I love seeing people in the industry because all of our business is built on rela- tionships,” shares the Hawaiʻi Kai native. “We’ll get to see our friends, clients and even our competitors.
Over the past few years, local restaurants have faced challenges
not even
“I installed the robots to see how the employees and man- agement would feel about them — and they love them. They even have names for them,” he says, smiling. “It takes the hard work of a waiter
“I love when people roll up
Mike Rompel, franchise
a pro like Ted Dav- enport could’ve prepared for. And
Ted Davenport
SEE PAGE 13