Over 200 professionals from the hospitality and food and beverage (F&B) sectors convened at the EQ Kuala Lumpur on 25 September for the inaugural FutureFWD 2025 conference. Organised by Saladplate.com in partnership with Food & Hospitality Malaysia, the event aimed to explore transformative forces reshaping the global hospitality and F&B landscape.
The conference featured a comprehensive programme with keynote presentations, panel discussions, and sessions focused on sustainability, technology, and consumer trends. Debbie Yong, founder of Atypical Media and former Regional Editorial Director at the Michelin Guide, emceed the event, guiding attendees through discussions that challenged industry conventions.
Key topics included business reset strategies, emerging sustainability practices, tech-driven innovations, shifting consumer behaviours, and hospitality design concepts. Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz, co-founder and CEO of SJS Group, praised the event, stating, “Being part of this exceptional gathering of thought leaders who came together to explore the transformative forces reshaping our industry was truly inspiring.”
Kristian Olsen, founder and managing director of Type A, highlighted the strategic focus of discussions, noting how leaders are addressing industry and audience shifts. Jing Yong, Growth Director for Greater China at GlobalData, and Emma Maxwell, founder of Emma Maxwell Studio, also shared insights on authenticity, heritage, and design in the industry.
FutureFWD 2025 provided extensive networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and new partnerships. The conference concluded with optimism, acknowledging the challenges of rapid technological change and sustainability pressures, whilst emphasising innovation and collaboration as keys to future progress.
