London is set to host the first event dedicated to the increasingly popular experiential out-of-home sector, Competitive Socialising 2020 at Sway in Holborn, February 27.

Competitive socialising 2020

The inaugural day will bring together operators from the hospitality trade with investors, product manufacturers and industry experts to discuss the competitive socialising trend, its rapid growth and future opportunities.

Competitive socialising as a term has only been around for the last couple of years and is associated with venues that provide some kind of competitive game, or games played between friends, family and colleagues. Typically, the venue will also serve speciality drinks and food, such as cocktails, craft beer and street food. The types of venue that are seeing great success, rapid growth and attracting significant investment offer darts, crazy golf, boutique bowling, axe throwing, party bingo and escape rooms. They often serve as anchor attractions as part of larger venues, supplementing the likes of, shuffleboard, bowling, arcade games and pinball.

Competitive Socialising 2020 introduces attendees to how competitive socialising can attract a potentially large customer base, provide additional revenue streams, increase dwell times and customer spend. The event is set to welcome over 250 thought leaders and decision-makers from all sides of the industry.

Alongside a wide range of speakers including leading bar chains, top specialist venues, entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts there will also be exclusive product launches and the opportunity to play the latest products.

“Competitive Socialising 2020 is a must for any innovative hospitality business,” commented Andy Beresford, co-founder and CEO of Home Leisure Direct. “Naturally, we’ll be serving drinks and food alongside unrivalled industry networking and some incredible new games. The best way to understand competitive socialising is to experience it first-hand.”

New product launches include the latest in dual payment (coin and contactless) pool tables, DigiPool and Vantage pool dining tables. The new Arrows Smart Darts system with exclusive Bullseye game will be there to try. The latest Golden Tee golf arcade games will be on display, plus a range of arcade games, pinballs, shuffleboards, beer pong tables and Teqball.

Tickets for the event are available from the Eventbrite website.