McCafe, 7-Eleven and Soul Origin to join GCR Leaders Symposium at MICE

The next wave of panel speakers to take the stage at the GCR Leaders Symposium at MICE2025, taking place from 20-21 March, have been announced.

Representing the ‘Coffee at Scale’ panel will be Head of McCafe Jared Chapman; Soul Origin National Coffee Manager Sam Taylor; and 7-Eleven Product Owner Dispensed Beverages Liam O’Brien.

“We are thrilled to announce this line-up of presenters. This panel will deep-dive into all the key questions we want to know about coffee in the quick-service sector, talking about the evolution of the foodservice category, growing consumer connection, coffee pricing, and balancing quality at scale. It’s going to be a conversation you don’t want to miss,” says GCR Symposium Moderator Sarah Baker.

Jared has spent almost 20 years in the coffee industry working with some of the largest coffee brands across retail, QSR and coffee chains. In his current role as Head of McCafe at McDonald’s, Jared is responsible for building the strategy for growing the McCafe brand.

Liam joined 7-Eleven in January 2017 and is responsible for managing the product and services on offer to customers for the Hot Drinks, Slurpee and Shakes portfolio. This includes category management, supply chain, in-store merchandising, product development, product and space planning and food innovation.

With more than 20 years of experience in the coffee industry, Sam has dedicated his career to the art and science of coffee, which includes competing at a national level and judging prestigious events such as the World Barista Championship. He is now focusing on nurturing the next generation of baristas and guiding them through their professional journey at Soul Origin.

Buy your ticket for the GCR Leaders Symposium here.

The GCR Symposium is a two-day event taking place in the mornings before MICE, tiered at roasters, business operators and key industry decision makers.

Leading the two-day Symposium is keynote speaker Gerd Mueller-Pfeiffer, who will present to audiences on 20 March.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the coffee industry – primarily at the world’s largest coffee company, Nestlé – Gerd brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, and will discuss ‘the changing coffee culture and the megatrends shaping its future’.

“Coffee is at a crossroads: innovation, sustainability, and cultural shifts are shaping the next decades. Businesses that adapt, invest, and innovate will thrive, while those resistant to change may struggle,” Gerd says.

Also presenting on day one of the symposium will be a panel dedicated to ‘emerging international markets and how to expand on the international stage’, featuring Michael Meates, Founder of Day For It Hospitality; Shae Macnamara, Founder of Expat. Roasters, and Jody Leslie, General Manager of Toby’s Estate.

Prime Creative Media Publisher and former Global Coffee Report Editor Sarah Baker will moderate the event.

Tickets to the GCR Symposium are now on sale.

Day 1: Thursday 20 March

•  Changing coffee culture: the megatrends of a global industry including mergers, consolidation and acquisitions – keynote speaker Gerd Mueller-Pfeiller
• Global coffee hot spots: the next emerging coffee cities, doing business in a foreign market, how to carve your niche in a saturated market, how to take the next step in expansion, and what defines global business success – Michael Meates, Shae Macnamara, Jody Leslie

 Day 2: Friday 21 March

• Coffee at scale: the balancing act of coffee pricing for large companies, the evolution of quick-service coffee to embrace quality coffee, how it’s been done while growing consumer connection, and the role convenience businesses play in the coffee category. – Jared Chapman, Sam Taylor, Liam O’Brien
• The logistical challenges we face: transportation and green bean supply obstacles the roasting community faces – now and into the future.