A brand-new discussion-led space puts publicans’ real-world challenges centre stage 

The Pub Show has unveiled the 2026 agenda for The Drop Inn, a brand-new feature created in direct response to feedback from across the trade. 

Designed as a relaxed, discussion-led space for meaningful conversations, The Drop Inn gives publicans the chance to share challenges, swap ideas and spark practical solutions they can take straight back to their businesses. 

New for 2026, The Drop Inn reflects The Pub Show’s theme, The Power of Us, celebrating the collective strength of the sector and the value of coming together to tackle shared pressures. Rather than traditional presentations, sessions are hosted as open, facilitated discussions with industry leaders and fellow operators, encouraging honest dialogue and peer-to-peer insight. 

Across the three days at Excel London (30 March – 01 April 2026), the programme addresses the issues shaping pubs right now, from recruitment and regulation to sustainability, loyalty and late-night economy policy. 

Highlights include ‘Love your local: Building loyalty that lasts’, hosted by Molly Davis, Commercial Director at the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), exploring how pubs can deepen community ties and turn occasional visitors into regulars. Steve Alton, CEO of the BII, leads ‘Mistakes and mastery: Lessons learned in the pub’, a candid conversation about lessons from the front line of pub operation. 

Workforce challenges are firmly on the agenda, with ‘Well-stocked: Growing teams that go the distance’, led by Dawn Lawrence of Hospitality Jobs UK, and ‘From rookie to rockstar: Making apprenticeships work’, hosted by Jeremy Scorer of HIT Training, both focused on building resilient, future-ready teams. 

Sustainability and regulation also take centre stage. In ‘Greener pubs: Smart sustainability in action’, James Gross of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) will guide discussion on cutting costs through smarter environmental practices. James Hawkins, also of the BBPA, hosts ‘Regulatory relief: What would actually help pubs?’, inviting operators to share what meaningful policy change would look like in practice. 

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) joins the programme with Michael Kill hosting two dedicated sessions examining the economic landscape and the realities facing the late-night sector. 

By placing conversation at its core, The Drop Inn aims to create a space where operators can speak openly, learn from one another and leave with tangible ideas. 

The Pub Show is the UK’s leading trade event dedicated to the pub sector and takes place on 30 March – 01 April 2026 at Excel London as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. 

For publicans navigating rising costs, regulatory complexity and evolving consumer expectations, The Drop Inn offers something simple but powerful: a place to talk, listen and move forward together. 

To find out more about everything happening at The Pub Show 2026, and to register for you free trade ticket, visit thepubshow.co.uk.