Hospitality Has a Hangover – SIP Roundtable

Hospitality thrives on people, yet they are the resource the industry is running out of fastest. This roundtable, led by Sorry Not Sorry, isn’t about cocktails or profits – it’s about culture, working conditions, and the well-being of those behind the bar. Alex and Jenna will open an honest conversation with the community, inviting participants to share experiences, challenge harmful systems, and explore what progressive hospitality can look like in practice. The goal is to leave with new perspectives, a stronger sense of solidarity, and ideas for building a fairer and more sustainable industry.

Alex Hooker is an Events and Hospitality consultant and Director of the Sorry Not Sorry Collective. With a background in award-winning cocktail and whisky bars across Australia, she knows both the glamour and the grind of hospitality, and why the unglamorous side matters most.

Jenna Hemsworth is an award-winning bartender, co-founder of the Sorry Not Sorry Collective, and founder of Real Good Drinks. She has built beverage programs for international hotels and delivered high-end activations across Australia. A strong advocate for inclusion and mentorship, she brings sharp insight into what the industry gets right – and what it still needs to fix.