The first ever · 2026
1st ever
year
one.
Operators
drink
FREE.
One night
only.
The Awards For Tech Allies

— presents — The AFTA's '26

Celebrating how technology is helping innovate the best sector in the world. One night. 12 awards. 400 of us in the room. Every operator, supplier and chaos-bringer under one roof, finally getting the recognition they're owed.

When
Tue 6 Oct · 2026
Where
Hard Rock Cafe
Near
Piccadilly Circus
Expect
400 of us
000Days
00Hours
00Minutes
00Seconds
TONIGHT · TONIGHT · TONIGHT YEAR ONE · THE FIRST EVER THE AFTAs 2026 HOSPITALITY TECH'S BIGGEST PARTY TONIGHT · TONIGHT · TONIGHT YEAR ONE · THE FIRST EVER THE AFTAs 2026 HOSPITALITY TECH'S BIGGEST PARTY
The AFTAs crowd — 400 of us in the room
400 of us · One room · 6 Oct 2026
The categories · 12 awards · 2 sides

Who's actually
doing the work.

Twelve awards, split down the middle. Six for the tech suppliers building the tools. Six for the operators using them brilliantly. Nominated by the community, judged by peers.

Side A · Operators
6 awards

For the operators.

The teams, sites and people using tech to do hospitality better. Guest, crew and bottom line — all three.

Side B · Tech
6 awards

For the tech suppliers.

The platforms, tools and products that the floor actually uses. Judged on real-world impact — not stand size.

Nominations open · Closes 4 Sep

Know someone
who deserves it?

Nominations take five minutes. Anyone in UK hospitality tech can nominate — operators, vendors, consultants, bartenders, KPs, CTOs. The judges will review every submission. Yes, every one.

01

Pick a category

One nomination per category per person. Twelve total if you're feeling generous.

02

Tell us why

One paragraph. What did they do, who did it help, what's the proof. No essays.

03

We'll take it from there

Shortlist announced 25 Sep. Operators vote the Operator's Choice. Judges do the rest.

⌛ Nominations close 4 Sep

Nominate

The form's short. The impact is big. The winner probably makes your next shift easier.

Or email aftas@wearestacked.io with the name and why.

Your host

Fletch,
on the
mic.

Chris Fletcher — 20+ years on the hospitality floor, now Stacked's founder — hosts the first-ever AFTAs alongside a guest MC announced six weeks out. Expect tight, fast, no-reading-from-cards.

We're aiming to wrap the awards by 22:45. Then the DJ starts. Stay as long as you can.

See the night's running order →
Your host · 2026
Chris Fletcher on the mic
On the
mic.
The night ·06 Oct 2026

Running order.
No overruns.

Passed food, live music, twelve awards, one legendary afterparty. Kept tight so the party starts early.

18:30
Doors · Welcome drink
Grab a drink, grab a badge, grab a bite. Passed food starts flowing from the kitchen.
Arrivals
19:30
Live music
It's the Hard Rock — of course there's a live set. Food keeps coming, drinks keep pouring.
Music
20:45
Awards · Part one
Categories 1–6. Kept short, kept sharp. One minute per winner, then we move on.
Awards
21:30
Break · Break the internet
20 minutes. Stretch your legs. Post the thing. Tag Stacked.
Pause
21:50
Awards · Part two
Categories 7–12, including the Regular and the Golden Bowl. Tears are allowed.
Awards
22:45
Afterparty · 'til late
DJ set, dancefloor, extremely questionable decisions. The bar stays open as long as you do.
Party
The panel · 14 judges

Judged by
your peers.

Operators, CTOs, founders and floor staff. A mix by design. No paid seats.

Coming Soon
Could be you?
 
 
Coming Soon
Could be you?
 
 
Coming Soon
Could be you?
 
 
Coming Soon
Could be you?
 
 
Coming Soon
Could be you?
 
 
Coming Soon
Could be you?
 
 
Coming Soon
Could be you?
 
 
Coming Soon
Could be you?
 
 
Tickets · Book by 02 October

Get in
the room.

Three ways in. Operators come free — it's how Stacked rolls. Suppliers pay their way. VIPs get the best spot in the room and the good gossip.

On us.
Operator pass · verified

Operators

£0
Free · verified operators
  • Passed food, drinks, afterparty
  • Live music all night
  • Access to Stacked Marketplace post-event
  • Verification required · hospitality ops only
  • Branding on screens
Apply for a pass
Supplier seat

Supplier

£100
Per person · +VAT
  • Passed food, drinks, afterparty
  • Live music all night
  • Access to the Stacked community
  • Nominations badge if you're shortlisted
  • Branding on screens
Grab a seat
FAQ · The usual questions

Straight
answers.

Is this really free for operators?

Yes. If you run a hospitality business — restaurant, pub, bar, hotel, café — your entry, food and drinks are on us. We verify every pass because suppliers will try to sneak in. Nice try, you know who you are.

What counts as "operator"?

Anyone whose job involves running (or helping run) a hospitality site or group. If you're unsure, email the team — we'll sort it. Consultants and agencies don't count, even if you wish they did.

How are winners chosen?

Operators nominate, judges shortlist, operators vote the Operator's Choice, judges vote the rest. Full methodology published with the shortlist on 25 Sep. Ties go to the community. No sponsor gets to buy a win — we've turned money down before.

What's the dress code?

Smart-ish. Tuxedos welcome, trainers welcomer. It's the first one — wear what you'd wear to a great Friday service.

Can I sponsor a category?

Yes — four category partner slots open now, eight supporting partner slots after that. Email chris@wearestacked.io. Note: sponsors don't judge and don't win. That would be weird.

Is there an afterparty?

There is always an afterparty. DJ spins 'til 01:00, bar stays open as long as you do. The hangover is yours to manage.

See you
at the AFTAs.

06 October 2026 · Hard Rock Cafe, Piccadilly Circus · Doors 18:30

Tickets Nominate someone first