Schedule

2023 Benchmark Results, 2024 predictions, and more!

Fireside Chat Panelists:

Laurie Aaronson | Co-founder, AOC & Laurie Thomas | Executive Director, GGRA

Join us for a panel discussion with SF Hospitality leaders to discuss where we are year to date and what to expect from the second half of 2024, and into 2025. We will look at convention bookings, hotel occupancy, reservation trends in 2023 and more.

Panelists:

Alex Bastian | President & CEO, Hotel Council, Cassie Corless | Regional Vice President, Tastes on the Fly, Cassandra Costello | EVP, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer, & Sarah Dennis Phillips | Executive Director, OEWD

Moderator:

Laurie Thomas | Executive Director, GGRA

Join us for a dive into the new laws in 2024 that affect SF and the state of California. We will look at HR best practices to avoid problems, where to find resources, and more.

Sponsors & Panelists:

Doug Collister | Partner, Director of Marketing & IT, China Live, Grant Elam | Head of Business Development, Boon Group Marie Trimble Holvick | Partner, Gordon Rees Margie Butler | Development & Marketing, Perry’s & Terri Schmier | Senior Director of Product, Homebase

Moderator:

Laurie Thomas | Executive Director, GGRA

Technology can help you save money, be more efficient, and provide a better customer experience. This panel will focus on what technology you should phase in and what you should phase out. Hear from providers and users on what options can help you work smarter.

Sponsors & Panelists:

Benson Wang | Owner, Blue Plantain, LLC, Bryan Tublin | Owner & Co-Founder, Kitava, Luke Hutchison | CEO & Founder, Perfect Venue, Maddy Shannon | Head of Product Strategy, SpotOn

Moderator:

Hanson Li | Managing Director, Salt Partners

Morale is crucial to keeping a strong team. This panel will focus on best practices for employee retention and quality of life, recruiting new staff and strategies to minimize labor costs and reduce staff turnover.

Sponsors & Panelists:

Chris Porter | President & CEO, FCE, Laurie Thomas | Owner, Rose’s Cafe & Terzo & Executive Director, GGRA, Pete Sittnick | Managing Partner, Waterbar, Stephanie Yee | Managing Director, Willow Tree Recruiting & Tony Marcell | Director of Operations, Wayfare Tavern

Moderator:

Mat Schuster | Chef & Owner, Canela Bistro

Trends can be an important way to drive business. Following all of them rarely works. Learn what trends are hot, what's not, and how to use menus to drive business.

Sponsors & Panelists:

Aaron Noveshen | Founder & CEO, Starbird, Denise Tran | Founder & CEO, Bun Mee LLC, Leith Steel | Trendologist, Carbonate & Rex Huang | VP of Beverage Innovation & R&D, Botrista

Moderator:

Andrew Freeman | Founder, af&co

What are operators doing to increase operating profits? This panel will look at what tools exist to help, including safety and workers comp, insurance coverage issues, and how to drive more revenue to your operations.

Sponsors & Panelists:

Bob Partrite | COO, Simco Restaurants, Chris Packer | District Sales Manager, Toast, David Glancy | MS, CWE, SF Wine School, John Konstin Jr. | Co-Owner, John’s Grill, Lee Gregory | VP Sales & Marketing, McCalls Catering & Michael Flynn | Co-Founder/CEO of Savor Ops

Moderator:

Steven Grant | Director Food & Beverage, Hotel Nikko

Money matters. Hear ideas for raising capital, debt, or using bond financing for new or existing locations. The panel will also focus on options such as equipment leasing, lease structures, and more.

Sponsors & Panelists:

Andy Chun | Owner, Press Club, Schroeders and Elite, Doug Marschke | CEO, Underdogs Too, Underdogs Tres, Tacko, Rachel Herbert | Owner, Park Cafe Group & Roberta Economidis| Partner, GE Law Group

Moderator:

Laurie Thomas | Executive Director, GGRA

Marketing, PR and social media matters. But what tools are folks using in 2024 that are effective? This panel will look at how to maximize your reach without breaking the bank, including social influencers, TikTok and more.

Sponsors & Panelists:

Rachel Keigley | Senior Account Director, Public Relations & Social Media Marketing, af&co, Mat Schuster | Chef/Owner, Canela Bistro, Yuka Ioroi | GM/Beverage Director, Cassava & Eve Batey | SF-based Freelance Journalist & Food and Dining Editor, Indianapolis Monthly

Moderator:

Amy Cleary | Director of Public Policy & Media Relations, GGRA

2024 has the opportunity to dramatically reshape San Francisco’s political power structure. Up for reelection are many SF Supervisor seats and the Mayor, among others, and numerous ballot measures that can really affect our ability to survive as businesses in the city. Your vote or your friend's vote (if you are not a resident) MATTERS. Learn more about how you can make a difference.

Panelists:

Daniel Herzstein | Director of Public Policy, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, David Harrison | Associate Director of Advocacy, BOMA, Sachin Agarwal | Director & Board Member, Grow SF & Wade Rose | President, Advance SF

Moderator:

Laurie Thomas | Executive Director, GGRA

Location: Hotel Nikko Ballroom