At the fifth edition of the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF), organisers Bench Events announced the establishment of GRIF Society, an international members network for the restaurant investment industry.
Over three days from 12-14 March 2018 at Palazzo Versace Dubai, GRIF brought together over 320 investors, owners, franchisors and senior hospitality professionals to facilitate investment decision-making within the international restaurant space.
Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, Managing Director Middle East, Bench Events, said: ”Since the launch of GRIF in 2014, we have seen a very strong appetite for insights, networking, market intelligence and events amongst senior professionals in the restaurant investment industry globally, and we’re keen to continue to foster collaboration and dialogue within the sector through a year-round programme of bespoke events, networking and content through GRIF Society.”
As part of the launch of GRIF Society, a series of events have been announced, taking GRIF across the globe in the coming months, culminating in the sixth edition of the Global Restaurant Investment Forum, taking place in Amsterdam from 25-27 February 2019 at NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, in partnership with NH Hotel Group.
“We are delighted to partner with NH Hotel Group for the sixth edition of GRIF next year and are really excited to bring GRIF to Amsterdam after five successful years in Dubai. NH Hotel Group has taken gastronomy to a completely new level within the industry with a total of 13 Michelin Stars across its restaurant portfolio and it’s great to see hotels embrace food & beverage as a key business pillar,” Pettinger-Haines said.
“As NH Hotel Group we are very pleased to be able to confirm the sixth edition of the successful GRIF taking place in one of the flagship hotels of NH Hotel Group: NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky in Amsterdam. As a forerunner and leader in regards to F&B offerings within the hotel industry this cooperation marks another milestone for NH Hotel Group. Partnering with GRIF for the first European edition is not only the logical next step, it perfectly suits our vision offering genuinely creative culinary experiences for our guests,” says Maarten Markus, Managing Director at NH Hotel Group.
GRIF Society events confirmed for 2018 include networking receptions and briefings in London with partners Ruya in June, Dubai in September, Nairobi in October and in Riyadh in November with partners Okku Riyadh.
GRIF Society offers several membership tiers, providing an inspiration platform for international restaurant investors, innovators and senior professionals globally. In addition to international briefings and networking events, GRIF Society membership benefits include exclusive quarterly insights by Peter Backman and Food Sheikh, access to Colliers Intelligence Reports, as well as discounts for Insignia Intelligence reports and the NPD – Mingora Sales Track.
For more information on GRIF Society please visit: www.grif.com/society or email Ali ali.shahid@benchevents.com