The FCSI CIRCLE 2025 Conference Recap

There’s a certain quiet that comes after a big event ends. The banners have been taken down, the group chats have finally gone silent, and the inbox is full of thank-you notes and survey responses. That’s where I find myself now — sifting through the feedback, photos, and memories from FCSI Circle 2025, and realising just how far we’ve come.

This year's conference in Hoi An, Vietnam was the most ambitious event our division has ever hosted. Over four days, more than 200 attendees came together to share ideas, explore new challenges, and build something that felt bigger than the sum of its parts.

It was a milestone moment for FCSI Asia Pacific — and one that marks a new chapter for our community.

To understand how far we’ve come, you have to look back at where we were just two years ago. In 2023, we hosted our last conference in Margaret River, Western Australia. That event brought together about 60 people in a modest meeting space at the Pullman hotel. It was honest, intimate, and a great foundation. But standing in a packed ballroom in Vietnam last week, surrounded by more than 200 attendees from across the globe, the contrast was striking.

This growth didn’t happen by accident. When I stepped into the role of Chair for the Asia Pacific Division, I made it my goal to help define what FCSI stands for in this part of the world. In North America and Europe, the brand carries weight. In our region, many clients and partners still don’t understand what sets an FCSI consultant apart from a typical design and build firm. That gap became the challenge and the opportunity.

I knew that if we were going to shift perceptions, we needed to build something worth showing up for. A conference that felt fresh, dynamic, and representative of where the industry is going. So I set out to create an event I would want to attend. I joined as many conferences as I could — from the FCSI Americas and EAME events in Texas and Zürich to FHA in Singapore, KITA Conversations in KL, and the Thailand Tourism Forum. I listened closely, took notes, and came away with a clear idea of what works and what we could do differently.

We started with a bold vision. We wanted to bring in speakers who could speak across the full spectrum of foodservice and hospitality. Not just for consultants, but for operators, suppliers, designers, manufacturers, and hotel groups. Everyone comes to these events with different priorities, and we aimed to meet them all where they are. That meant curating content that felt practical, forward-thinking, and energizing.

There were, of course, a few curveballs. Our welcome party was originally planned outdoors, set against the beautiful backdrop of Hoiana’s beach. But just hours before the event, the skies opened up. Heavy rain forced us to move everything inside. Thanks to the quick thinking and flawless coordination of the New World Hoiana Beach Resort team, the shift was seamless. The evening kicked off right on time, and the mood never dipped.

Day one began with a fantastic opening presentation by CKP on Hospitality Planning for Mega Projects, setting the stage with insights drawn from their work across the region. Immediately after, attendees were taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of one of those very projects — the New World Hoiana Beach Resort — offering a real-world look at how thoughtful planning translates into large-scale operational success.

The afternoon continued with a lively session from CUCA Bali, sharing their journey and creative philosophy. That was followed by a series of rapid-fire talks from industry leaders including Compass, Cini-Little, and Behind Bars, each offering practical ideas and fresh perspectives. We wrapped the day with a standout keynote from Arturo Sims of Marriott, who delivered a compelling look at the growth of Vietnam’s hospitality market and what global brands need to understand to succeed there.

Beyond the presentations, it was the energy in the room that stood out. People stayed back after sessions to keep the conversations going. Side chats turned into future collaborations. The mood was focused, but also open and generous. This is exactly what we hoped for when we built the agenda.

Day two started strong with Tony Chisholm from Accor, whose presentation gave us a candid look at how hotel groups are rethinking F&B strategy in today’s climate. The rest of the day featured panels on AI and automation, roundtables exploring the working relationship between FCSI consultants and allied members, and short talks covering topics such as sustainability, power management, and what operators should be prioritising when selecting equipment. We also had a great session led by the FCSI Educational Foundation, highlighting opportunities for training and mentorship.

We ended the conference with a branding masterclass from Debbie Yong, who brought a sharp, modern perspective on how F&B leaders can better define and communicate their value. It was the perfect close to a two-day programme that aimed to challenge, inform, and inspire.

That night, we celebrated in style with our farewell party at NOX Beach Club. There was fire dancing, a live band, great food, and even better company. It felt like a true celebration — not just of a successful event, but of everything that brought us there in the first place. Relationships, effort, and a shared commitment to raising the bar.

Since then, the feedback has been incredibly encouraging. Attendees praised the format, the diversity of speakers, and the thoughtfulness of the programming. But more than anything, what stands out is the sense that people feel part of something. This wasn’t just a conference. It was a community coming together, with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

FCSI Asia Pacific is in a very different place than it was two years ago. We now have stronger engagement, wider reach, and a clearer identity. More people in our industry are starting to understand the role we play, and what it means to be part of this network.

Planning has already begun for our next big conference in 2027, and we’re carrying forward everything we learned this time. The bar has been raised, and we’re ready for the challenge.

Before I sign off, I want to end with a personal note. One of the things I love most about this industry is how it brings people together. We come from different countries, cultures, and disciplines, but when we gather, there’s a shared language of hospitality that connects us. That connection was felt deeply throughout this event, and it’s what gives me the drive to keep doing this work.

Thank you to everyone who made FCSI Circle 2025 what it was. I can’t wait to see where we go from here.