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ABOUT BACKS! HOSPITALITY

BACKS! Hospitality is a community organisation established in Glasgow by dedicated hospitality industry veterans. As a non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), our mission is to elevate and sustain the standards of hospitality across Scotland and beyond.

 

OUR MISSION

BACKS! Hospitality aims to provide development, support, and networking opportunities for the entire hospitality sector. We are committed to fostering a collaborative environment where industry professionals can educate, inspire, and support each other.

 

OUR HISTORY

BACKS! was founded to revive the values of the long-standing Glasgow Bartenders Club, originally established in 2010 in Glasgow’s West End. This club was a gathering of industry individuals and bars committed to educating and inspiring one another. Over time, with the rise of social media, the club transitioned to a Facebook-based community, amassing a membership of 30,000.

RETURNING TO THE PHYSICAL REALM

Our goal is to bridge the gap between the digital and physical realms, reviving in-person networking events, training sessions, and seminars. By bringing the industry together, we aim to harness opportunities aligned with our three core values:

  1. Education: Offering workshops, seminars, and training to enhance skills and knowledge across the hospitality spectrum.
  2. Inspiration: Creating platforms for industry leaders to share insights, experiences, and innovations, sparking creativity and passion within the community.
  3. Community: Building a strong, supportive network that encourages collaboration, mentorship, and mutual growth among hospitality professionals.

Join us at BACKS! Hospitality, where we are dedicated to shaping a thriving, dynamic hospitality community in Glasgow and beyond. Together, we can elevate the standards and enrich the future of our industry.

In 2024, we approach the fourth iteration of one of our core events, the Bartenders Ball. Our inaugural event in January 2020 saw 350 members of the Glasgow hospitality industry come together for a night of music, industry awards, and networking. With support from our brand partners, we created an unforgettable evening at Saint Luke’s and The Winged Ox, a versatile venue in Glasgow’s East End. The event eschews traditional seating arrangements, dedicating the floor to dancing and socialising. Entry fees are subsidised by our brand partners, with food and drink tokens provided to attendees.This year, we are expanding our ambitions by planning Bartenders Balls in other cities, with preparations already underway for an event in Edinburgh. These events aim to provide more opportunities aligned with our core values of education, inspiration, and community.

David Smillie, one of our founders and an 18-year veteran of both bars and brands, has taken on an expanded role this year, focusing on achieving our core goals in 2024. His extensive experience and passion for the industry drive our mission to create clear pathways for development and inspiration for current and future generations of hospitality professionals.

In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to support and uplift the hospitality community. BACKS! Hospitality is committed to being at the forefront of this movement, ensuring that our events and initiatives continue to foster growth, collaboration, and excellence within the industry.

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