A global platform: scale, markets and timelines

When we first started our planning of The Pinnacle Guide expansion we created a year one, two, and three rollout model with the aim to be in 50 markets (countries not cities) within three years. Whilst this is enormously ambitious - we feel it's achievable - but who these Year One markets are is still up for debate. We have discussed; Australia, France, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and United States - however, whilst we're still in this Consultancy Phase - that is definitely open to change - now's the time friends if you have strong opinions!

Ultimately - we truly believe that ANY BAR, ANYWHERE should qualify for recognition - and this is why we feel like we can really sit seamlessly alongside other awards bodies as our list of rewarded venues is a limitless number. In the long term, we hope that The Pinnacle Guide perhaps will even contribute to those other lists becoming increasingly diverse as more of the industry judges seek out PINNED bars whilst also visiting some of the more decorated venues.

Of course - the criteria and standards a bar needs to reach to be awarded a PIN must be high, so we're not immediately envisaging that thousands and thousands of bars will receive one - BUT technically, that could be the case.

The Pinnacle Guide also has the potential to be the ultimate travel guide for the certain type of consumer that we're all chasing - so community really is key to encouraging specific destination travel.

What we are very sure about though is community is key.

The exciting thing about the bar industry versus the restaurant industry is that there's the potential for it to be less competitive - people can visit a few bars in an evening, unlike a night spent at a Michelin Restaurant. What we'd love to see is bar communities working together to put their whole scene forward. Nominating each other and raising standards across the board - giving our consumers the ultimate experience during a night out. A sense of community is so increasingly important at the moment and we feel this should be cherished and celebrated.

What is worth reiterating when it comes to global expansion - and perhaps the thing we're most proud of - is the unlimited opportunity for recognition with regard to those outside capital cities. But as our system is being created for self-nomination - how do we advertise the opportunity and incentivise those bars outside of the inner "clique" to put themselves forward... We probably need some shoe leather but we have to think smarter than that.

Panellists

The Pinnacle Guide Founders - Hannah Sharman-Cox, Siobhan Payne and Dan Dove.

As always - we're here to put your opinions on record as we shape and formulate The Pinnacle Guide. If you have any feedback to this conversation, please email hello@thepinnacleguide and we'll come straight back to you.