Vibe Conference 2024: Full Schedule

2:00pm PST

How to Create a Regional, National, Multi-unit Beverage Program

Operator Application

Creating a beverage program is more than just mixing cocktails and pouring wine and local beers. Learn to identify the critical elements for building a successful program across multiple units to increase revenue, engage your customers and embrace trends while staying true to your brand.

Speakers

Luis Ortega

Director, Beverage Development & Operations, Norwegian Cruise Lines

Luis Ortega is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on beverage management in marine hotel operations and in guest experience.Today’s Norwegian Cruise Line beverage operation leaded by Luis is the most awarded beverage operation among hotels, casinos, restaurant... Read More →

Majdi Kayyali

Corporate VP of Food & Beverage, Gila River Resorts & Casino

Majdi Kayyali began his career in food & beverage in Charlotte, NC before moving to Phoenix, AZ in 2017. In the thriving foodie city, he assisted in managing F&B programs at the esteemed Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. He then transitioned to open Maple & Ash, a What If... Read More →

Trevor Tyler

Vice President of Beverage Operations, Eureka Restaurant Group

Trevor Tyler is the Vice President of Beverage for Eureka! Restaurant Group and oversees the Beverage Program for all 34 units which include Eureka!, La Popular and The Amalfi Llama restaurants. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Hospitality Management. Trevor is... Read More →

Monday February 26, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm PST
TBA

2:00pm PST

Let’s Have a Beer! Maintaining Draft Quality to Increase Profitability and Guest Satisfaction

Operator Application

Join Dan Katz, Product Education Program Manager for The Boston Beer Company, as he reviews best practices to ensure you provide the best Draft Beer experience for your guests. You’ll learn how to recognize off-flavors and troubleshoot common mistakes. The session will conclude with a unique beer tasting, where you’ll taste world class beers beside beers that have been affected by poor draft quality. Better draft beer means higher guest satisfaction and higher beer sales, so don’t miss this one-of-a-kind session!

Speakers

Dan Katz

Product Education Program Manager, Advanced Cicerone®, Boston Beer

Dan Katz is the Product Education Program Manager for The Boston Beer Company. He is an Advanced Cicerone®, Certified Cider Professional, and Tea Sommelier. Originally from Western Massachusetts, Dan graduated from the University of Vermont and worked in restaurants until joining... Read More →

Monday February 26, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm PST
TBA

3:00pm PST

Beyond the Bar: Creating a Unique Guest Experience

Operator Application

In this session participants will explore actionable insights to elevate the guest experience. From understanding guest experience, staff training and development, menu and beverage selection, technology and more, attendees will explore what it means to go beyond the bar to create stellar customer loyalty and engagement.

Moderators

Diane Corcoran

Beverage Director, Lettuce Entertain You

Diane Corcoran is the Beverage Director at Miru, Tre Dita and the St Regis Bar, all located in the St Regis Chicago. Prior to her current position, Diane was an integral part of the beverage leadership team for more than a dozen Lettuce Entertain You restaurants including Bub City... Read More →

Speakers

Ebony Austin

Owner/Operator, Nouveau Bar & Grill

Ebony Austin is Owner of Nouveau Bar & Grill, which is an Atlanta-based restaurant that currently has locations in both College Park and Jonesboro.Before opening the restaurant, Austin worked for several years in corporate as a corporate specialist and business development manager... Read More →

Max Lowenbaum

SVP, Sales, Provi

Max Lowenbaum is a seasoned sales leader with a career spanning over 15 years, marked by a series of high impact roles within industry-leading organizations. Max's impact extends to his role as Senior Vice President of Sales at Provi, where he has dedicated nearly four years to spearheading... Read More →

Monday February 26, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm PST
TBA

QTAG featuredsession

3:00pm PST

How to Better Leverage Distributor Resources & Insights

Operator Application

In this session, attendees will learn how distributors can help operators be better, and the best way to utilize wholesaler national account teams. Optimize operator decision making during a recession and understand why consumer insights are more important now than ever. Perfect your strategies with Ecommerce; smart purchasing tactics and assistance with product assortment

Speakers

Lisa Gulick

Senior Vice President, National Accounts On-Premise, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Lisa Gulick is the Senior Vice President, National Accounts On-Premise, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s).Gulick is responsible for developing strategies to increase the overall success of Southern Glazer's on-premise customers, expand supplier partners' national... Read More →

Susanne Mills

Vice President Strategic Accounts On Premise, Breakthru Beverage

Sue is a 32 Year veteran in On-Premise Adult Beverage Industry. She joined Breakthru Beverage in March 2022. Prior to her current role as Vice President National & Strategic Accounts On Premise, Sue was a Director of National Accounts for E&J Gallo Winery for 12 Years.Previously... Read More →

Monday February 26, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm PST
TBA

1:30pm PST

Design an RFP That Works for Both You AND Your Suppliers

Operator Application

After the general session panel on the RFP landscape, in this workshop participants will take a deep dive into the successful strategies to writing their own RFP. Stay ahead of the game by using industry research and your brand's goals to get the most out of your RFP. Compare in person RFP vs. Remote or Mobile RFP, discuss product selection, keg draught placement, NA RFPs, RFP Program Timelines and product placement.

Speakers

Lindsey Farris-Felty

Corporate Beverage Director, Tupelo-Honey

Lindsey Farris-Felty has worked in hospitality for 15+ years, as a server, bartender, beverage manager, and GM, and is now the Corporate Beverage Director for Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar. Tupelo started in downtown Asheville, NC, in the year 2000, and has recently grown to... Read More →

Thomas “Mac” Gregory

Vice President of Food & Beverage, Pacifica Hotels

Mac Gregory is the Vice President of Food & Beverage for Pacifica Hotel Company as well as a Certified Advanced Sommelier and Master Mixologist. Gregory is proud to serve as a Beverage Competition judge and he’s a 9-year veteran of the SFWSC and an Advisory Council member of the... Read More →

Michael Echeveste

Enterprise Beverage Director, Thompson Hospitality

Tuesday February 27, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PST
TBA

QTAG featuredsession

1:30pm PST

Menu Development: from Ideation to Implementation

Operator Application

Join Liquid Kitchen’s Kathy Casey as she explores best practices for creating an impactful and exciting beverage menu program while staying ahead of trends, embracing the ‘Insta factor’, and crafting training tools for successful implementation. Take away new ideas on the development process; from menu development, verbiage, and precision recipe writing to unique training tools and techniques that addresses today’s work environment…. along with a before and after reveal!

Speakers

Kathy Casey

Celebrity Chef and Mixologist, Owner, Kathy Casey's Liquid Kitchen

Kathy Casey is a celebrated innovator, chef, mixologist, and pioneer in the bar-chef movement. Early in her career, she was lauded as a Top 10 Chef by Food & Wine Magazine. She is touted as the original Bar Chef and was named one of the Top 10 most influential bar people of the past... Read More →

Tuesday February 27, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PST
TBA

1:30pm PST

RTD’s Explosive Growth

Details Coming Soon!

Speakers

Andrew Hummel

Client Solutions Director, CGA by NielsenIQ

Tuesday February 27, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PST
TBA

2:30pm PST

LOW Buzz, High Excitement 

Operator Application

Details Coming Soon!

Moderators

Marten Lodewijks

Director of Consulting, Americas, The IWSR

Marten is Director of Consulting, Americas as IWSR. He was previously the Global Strategy and Insights Director at AB-InBev, where he led the growth strategy for the company’s premium brand and TBA portfolio. This follows strategic positions at SABMiller, where Marten developed... Read More →

Speakers

Michael Miskiewicz

Sr Director National On Premise Sales, Heineken

Michael Barkin

President, Sommaroy

Proven Chicago-based entrepreneurs, Michael Barkin and James Cosma, are pros at spotting emerging consumer trends and opportunities in the marketplace and building successful companies that resonate with both investors and consumers alike. Most recently, Barkin and Cosma partnered... Read More →

Judy Elahi

Corporate Bar Director, 101 Hospitality

Meet Judy Elahi Corporate Bar Director for 101 hospitalities. She is also the visionary mind behind Fresh Pressed Beverage, a venture that sprouted amidst the turmoil of COVID in 2020. Raised with the influence of her Iranian father, Judy's childhood was steeped in hospitality and... Read More →

Tuesday February 27, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm PST
TBA

2:30pm PST

Sourcing, Training & Retaining Bartenders and FOH Staff

Operator Application

Discuss the staffing lifecycle and understand the current challenges facing the industry, Identify and explore strategies to successfully anticipate employee priorities to find, and keep top performers in today’s employment landscape

Tuesday February 27, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm PST
TBA

2:30pm PST

Utilizing Beverage Innovation to Reinforce Brand Identity

Operator Application

Brand identity should always be considered when executing beverage innovation. A beverage product or cocktail could have amazing potential but if it does not make sense in your current or aspirational identity then there is a large chance that your guest will not understand it. In this session, participants will explore how beverage innovation can be used to evolve brand identity to align with aspirational identity, identify the various elements within beverage to achieve brand aspirations, and how supplier partnerships can re-enforce this evolution and perception withing the industry.

Speakers

Aliya Kritzler

VP of F&B, HEI Hotel and Resorts

Responsible for strategizing and creating experiences to generate food and beverage revenue and maintaining expenses. She oversees food and beverage cost control, programming and activation and F&B transitions. Aliya joined the team as a member of the Corporate Food & Beverage team... Read More →

Craig Richards

Senior Manager, Global Beverage Strategy & Innovation, TGI Fridays

Craig Richards is an award-winning industry veteran with over 17 years of experience in enterprise beverage management, strategic initiatives, and operations. With a wide range of experience working with large international concepts such as TGI Fridays and Dave & Busters all the way... Read More →

Tuesday February 27, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm PST
TBA

2:30pm PST

WINE CAN WIN: Creating Ways for Wine to Win Again.

Operator Application

This group of panelists will discuss and show creative platforms and considerations to make wine win and work hard for your business. We will discuss and highlight how establishments around the industry are making wine more approachable from casual to the most luxurious establishments. Coming your way are Insights, Innovations and In-depth solutions to help you drive wine programs that can deliver both fun and flavor.

Moderators

Jes Reiter

Senior Director, Commercial Insights & Strategy, E. & J. Gallo Winery

Jessica Reiter leads Commercial Insights & Strategy for E. & J. Gallo, the largest winery in the world with over 130 wine and spirits brands in its portfolio including High Noon, Barefoot Cellars, Apothic and many others. In her role, she leads teams that deliver world-class consumer... Read More →

Tuesday February 27, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm PST
TBA

8:30am PST

Beyond the Basics: Challenges Facing Today’s Operators

Operator Application

Wednesday February 28, 2024 8:30am - 9:15am PST
TBA

8:30am PST

Simplifying Operations: Batching for Success

Operator Application

Simplify your operations with batching best practices.
Know how to batch right and the right cocktails to do it with, identify the do’s and don’ts as it relates to shelf life, batch quantities, dilution factor and more.

Wednesday February 28, 2024 8:30am - 9:15am PST
TBA

8:30am PST

What’s Next for Hotels

Operator Application

The bar/adult beverage program is vitally important in attracting guests to the property, differentiating the experience, and driving profitability, all of which are crucial in the current environment. As the lodging segment fully rebounds, operators are re-thinking the guest experience and their food and beverage offerings, and the bar is taking on new importance. Join Technomic’s Donna Hood Crecca for current insights on hotels and hear from a panel of top operators how they’re positioning their properties and their adult beverage programs for success in the new environment.

Moderators

Donna Hood Crecca

Principal, Technomic

Donna Hood Crecca is Principal at Technomic Inc., where she leads the firm’s Convenience Store Practice as well as its Adult Beverage Practice, and is founder of its Cannabis Practice. As Principal, Donna develops research-based insights and recommendations for leading and emerging... Read More →

Speakers

Lindsey Barton

Senior Director, Restaurant & Bar, Marriott International

Miranda Breedlove

National Director of Bars, Hyatt Lifestyle Hotels & Resorts Americas

Wednesday February 28, 2024 8:30am - 9:15am PST
TBA

QTAG featuredsession

9:30am PST

Dispelling Myths in AI

Operator Application

Wednesday February 28, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am PST
TBA

9:30am PST

Purchasing in the Age of Allocations

Operator Application

With Direct to Consumer and Quid Pro Quo sales tactics on the rise for highly sought after items, how do high end restaurants still get what they need? Gain insight into how the paradigm has shifted due to the whiskey boom.

Wednesday February 28, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am PST
TBA

9:30am PST

Scaling for Growth

Operator Application

In this session, participants will gain strategies on how to deliver the same level of hospitality in an aggressive expansion world, and take advantage of technology while not losing the human touch points that people still seek. Understand what it means to foster the relationships of corporate partners so that they can assist in the delivery of expected items within a larger footprint, and identify what beverage programs are truly possible when scaling to a larger program.

Speakers

Mike LaMartina

Chief Operating Officer, Cordish Companies/ Live! Properties

Representing partnership between the St. Louis Cardinals and The Cordish Company at Ballpark Village – St. Louis, Chief Operating Officer Mike LaMartina is at the helm the dynamic $500M mixed-used Downtown neighborhood. LaMartina oversees revenue strategy, retail leasing, marketing... Read More →

Chris Furst

Vice President, Entertainment, Cordish Companies/ Live! Properties

Wednesday February 28, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am PST
TBA

9:30am PST

The Principles of Safe Experimentation – Applying Trends & Data in A Meaningful Way

Operator Application

We will uncover the best menu beverages to sell and what drives a successful LTO. By using the principles of safe experimentation, consumers will more likely engage and take a risk to try something new.

Speakers

Colleen McClellan

Vice President, Customer Experience, Datassential

is vice president of customer experience at Datassential. She has over nineteen years of experience in traditional and digital marketing, strategy development, insights, and product innovation for both retail and foodservice markets. She is a certified sommelier, WSET III, and has... Read More →

Wednesday February 28, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am PST
TBA