Some moments are memorable - not because they are loud or spectacular, but because they are real. A neighbour who provides help without being asked. A team member in the company who carries on with a smile despite the stress. A look into the dining room where guests are laughing. These are the scenes that come to mind when I think about life and our industry - and about how much is changing right now.

Silja Steinberg - landlady of the Hofbräukeller on Wiener Platz and the Hofbräu tent at the Oktoberfest in Munich - also spoke about emotions last week when the Leaders Club met in the Hofbräukeller for its "Gastro Sessions" event series. The Leaders Club - a network of people and companies with a passion for gastronomy - once again brought together entrepreneurs, industry experts and founders to discuss and exchange ideas in panels and talks. The motto: "People, brands & emotions." And it's true: Whether on the market, in the kitchen or in the logistics centre - nothing works without emotions, without passion, without people.

We are in the midst of a profound change. Driverless lorries are no longer a dream of the future, but part of reality. The first autonomous trucks are driving on dual carriageways in commuter traffic. This is not only a technological masterpiece - it is also a glimmer of hope for an industry that is suffering from labour shortages. And while innovations are emerging on the road, the global flow of goods is also coming under renewed pressure: freight rates between China and the USA are rising sharply - Hapag-Lloyd is reporting over 50 per cent more volume on this route. The result: container bottlenecks, a lack of equipment in European ports and rising costs. Anyone moving goods currently has to act flexibly and with foresight.

At the same time, the political stage is also moving into focus: the return to regular VAT in the catering industry is being discussed controversially - I see this as a good signal. It shows: The sector is once again being recognised for what it is - a strong, independent industry with a future.

And what remains after all this change? Emotions. I firmly believe that our industry - whether catering or food retail - is needed more than ever: as a meeting place, as a driver of innovation, as a reflection of our society. Because at the end of the day, it's not just perfect processes that count, but the good feeling we leave people with.

Sincerely,
Yours, Thomas Schneidawind