JRE Conference: Front End – Excellence in Service and Hospitality
In the hospitality industry, "front end" refers to all aspects of direct guest interaction— the visible and experiential part of service that shapes guests' impressions and defines their overall experience. Recognizing the significance of this aspect, Gostilna Rakar in Trebnje hosted the JRE Conference: Front End on March 10. The event brought together waiters, sommeliers, bartenders, service managers, and hospitality professionals dedicated to delivering top-tier service and creating unforgettable guest experiences.
Attendees enjoyed a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Gostilna Rakar, where a rich program featured top-tier speakers, discussions on industry trends and innovations, and valuable insights aimed at elevating hospitality standards. The conference was moderated by Nina Bratovž, a member of the JRE-Slovenia board, who guided discussions with her expertise and ensured a dynamic event flow.
Knowledge, Experience, and Inspiration for Superior Service
The event kicked off with Nina Dušić Hren, whose energy and exceptional ability to connect with people set the stage for a deep dive into the art of communication. Impressively, she memorized the names of everyone she had spoken with before the event and addressed them personally during her talk. Her key message: Each individual has something unique that sets them apart—and this should be embraced in hospitality as well.
A fascinating discussion followed on the rise of non-alcoholic beverages as serious contenders to wine pairings, offering rich sensory experiences. Industry experts Primož Rojac (developer of his own non-alcoholic brand), Nina Bratovž (JB Restaurant), and Gregor Jelnikar (Georgie Bistro) shared insights, highlighting their pioneering efforts in introducing non-alcoholic pairings in Ljubljana’s fine dining scene.
If you could only drink one wine for the rest of your life, would you choose Petrus or Dolenjski Cviček?
Next, Dušan Brejc engaged the audience with a thought-provoking question: If you could only drink one wine for the rest of your life, would you choose Petrus or Dolenjski Cviček? He went on to discuss strategies for enhancing the perceived value of wines for discerning guests—beyond just price.
Renowned winemaker Martin Gruzovin, instrumental in elevating Guerilla to one of Slovenia's most successful wine brands, shared his experiences on the realities, challenges, and taboos of producing natural wines, which are gaining increasing popularity.
The event also introduced the Raise the Bar initiative, supported by Coca-Cola HBC Croatia, aimed at raising standards in hospitality and tourism. This program includes a bartender academy, a scholarship fund, and the Raise the Bar conference, which gathers leading industry professionals from the region.
An expert panel discussion on pairing spirits with culinary creations was moderated by Natali Borič, an experienced bartender who steered the conversation with insightful questions. Panelists Anja Skrbinek, David Žefran, and Gal Aleksej Pilko shared innovative approaches to food pairing and emphasized the importance of cultivating a responsible and sophisticated drinking culture in gastronomy.
Conclusion: More Events Like This for a Better Future in Hospitality
The conference underscored the often-overlooked yet critical role of front-end service in hospitality. Guests increasingly expect more than just service—they seek an experience, a personal connection, and in-depth product knowledge. Achieving this requires continuous education and knowledge-sharing among industry professionals.
Event partners: Romerquelle, Slovenian Tourist Board (STO), Academy for Tourism Marketing, and Raise the Bar initiative.
JRE Slovenia partners: OTP Bank, Miele, Romerquelle, Koželj Wines, Radgonske Gorice, Aalt, Aklih, Winterhalter.
Event website: https://jre-konferenca.si/
Event gallery: https://arhiv.aklih.si/access/JRE-Front-End-konferenca (password: JRE)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc14E9VIvGY
