Schedule
2026 Ticket Info
Buy Tickets!Please see the 2026 Industry Conference schedule below.
GGRA Industry Conference Schedule
Monday, June 1, 2026Grand Hyatt, Union Square
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
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Check In, Morning Coffee & Pastries
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
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Welcome, Opening Remarks & Review of GGRA 2025 Accomplishments
Speakers:
Laurie Thomas | Executive Director | GGRA
Tony Marcell | GM/Partner | Wayfare Tavern | GGRA Board President
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
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Guest Speaker (TBD)
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
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The State of our Industry in 2026: How Are We Doing and What's Ahead
Moderator: Laurie Thomas | Executive Director | GGRA
Panelists:
Laurie Aaronson | Founder | AOC Consulting
Steven Weinbaum | District Director of Sales & Services | OpenTable
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
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The San Francisco Hospitality Landscape in 2026
Moderator: Laurie Thomas | Executive Director | GGRA
Panelists:
Ike Kwon | Chief of Staff | SF Travel
Marisa Rodriguez | CEO | Union Square Alliance
Lee Gregory | Executive Vice President | McCalls Catering
Alex Bastian | President & CEO | Hotel Council of San Francisco
Anne Taupier | Executive Director | Office of Economic Workforce and Development
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM
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Break
15 mins
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
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Breakout Session #1: Ballroom East | What You Need To Know: Navigating HR and Labor Laws
Moderator: Marie Trimble Holvick | Managing Partner | GRSM50
Panelists:
Bryan Tublin | Owner & Co-Founder | Kitava
Herb Taylor | Manager, Outsourcing Services | Eisner Advisory Group LLC
Cassie Corless | Senior Vice President of Operations | Bon Appetit at Google
Margie Butler | Co-Owner & Development & Marketing | Perry's Restaurants -
Breakout Session #2: Sequoia | What’s Next? Expansion, Growth and Transitions: Operating Capital, Selling a Business and More!
Moderator: Roberta Economidis | Partner | GE Law
Panelists:
Charles Bililies | Founder & CEO | Souvla
Lindsay Tusk | Owner | Quince & Cotogna
Andy Chun | Managing Partner| Sidecar Hospitality
Shelley Lindgren | Co-Owner & Wine Director | A16 Restaurants
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
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Buffet Lunch
1 hr
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
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Breakout Session #1: Ballroom East | Show me the Money: Ways to Your Operational Efficiency, Revenue, and Profitability
Moderator: Laurie Thomas | Executive Director | GGRA
Panelists:
Bobby Touran | CEO | Rainbow Insurance
Luke Hutchison | CEO & Founder | Perfect Venue
Elena Trujillo | Small Business Supervisor | PG&E
Bob Partrite | Chief Operating Officer | Simco Restaurants
Keith Morris | Principal and Food & Beverage Studio Director | Studio KDA -
Breakout Session #2: Sequoia | There is No I in Team: Building and Retaining a Strong Staff with a Positive Culture
Moderator: Mat Schuster | Chef/Owner | Canela Bistro & Wine Bar
Panelists:
Tony Marcell | GM/Partner | Wayfare Tavern
Stephanie Yee | Managing Director | Willow Tree Recruiting
Pete Sittnick | Managing Partner | Waterbar/EPIC Roasthouse
Michelle Rosales | Director of Sales & Administration | Brenda's Restaurant Group
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
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Break
15 mins
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
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Breakout Session #1: Ballroom East | AI and Technology Trends and Tools for the Restaurant Industry
Moderator: Hanson Li | Founder & Managing Partner | Salt Partners
Panelists:
Randall Hom | CEO & Co-Founder | Hostie
Alex Sambvani | Co-Founder & CEO | Slang
Maddy Shannon | Head of Product Strategy & Analytics, GPM | SpotOn
Doug Collister | Partner, Director of Marketing & IT | China Live Ventures Limited LP -
Breakout Session #2: Sequoia | What Really Works? How to Get Noticed in Today's Crowded Landscape
Moderator: Amy Cleary | Director of Public Policy & Media Relations | GGRA
Panelists:
Andrew Freeman | Founder | af&co
Sara Deseran | Editor-at-Large | SF Standard
Amanda Michael | Owner, Chef & Baker | Sweet Jane, LLC
Karen Wong | Co-Owner & Director of Marketing & Special Events | Harborview Restaurant & Bar
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
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Break
15 mins
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
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Navigating San Francisco Public Policy, the Current Political Landscape & Challenges
Moderator: Laurie Thomas | Executive Director | GGRA
Panelists:
Chris Wright | Senior Vice President | Advance SF
Veronica Bell | Partner | Lighthouse Public Affairs
David Harrison | Director of Public Policy | SF Chamber of Commerce
Tim Omi | President | San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
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Networking Reception
Mingling, cocktails, beer, wine, and NA beverages