John Hart
John Hart OAM is the National President of the Restaurant & Catering Association of Australia, representing Australia’s largest network of hospitality operators. With over 40 years of experience in tourism and hospitality, John has held leadership roles across industry, government, and training.
He is the Past Executive Chair of the Australian Chamber of Tourism and currently serves as Chair of Australian Grape & Wine and the National Tourism Industry Training Committee. John also sits on the boards of Tourism Australia, Restaurant & Catering Australia, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and Foodservice Association Australia.
John’s career has spanned operational, human resources, and industrial relations roles, backed by a Bachelor of Commerce (Business Law) and a Master of Business Law. In 2021, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to tourism.
A long-time advocate for skills development, workforce sustainability, and industry collaboration, John is recognised as one of the most influential voices in shaping the future of Australia’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
Friday 27th March 2026 Day 2
How to Establish Your First Café and Be Profitable
Want to start your first café but don't know where to begin? Thinking about being an independent operator or joining a franchise? What finances do I need? How do I build a network of contacts to get the right suppliers? This panel will discuss all the things you need to do to prepare for your first café venture, and come out thriving,
