Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025: Full Schedule

9:00am PDT

WS5 If You Build It, They Will Come: Crafting Concepts and Guest Experiences That Bring Your Vision to Life

Monday March 24, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Build or rebrand your venue into a guest experience destination with this hands-on workshop—your yellow brick road to success. Led by Michael Tipps and the Maverick Theory team, you’ll discover how to create a unique concept, optimize your design, and elevate your service to craft unforgettable guest experiences that keep customers coming back.

Learn how to create or rebrand your venue concept from scratch.
Master the key elements of design that impact guest perception.
Dive into the fundamentals of service and hospitality for all staff levels.
Control every aspect of your guests’ sensory experience.
Ensure your vision is reflected in every touchpoint, from ownership to staff execution.

**SESSION AVAILABLE ONLY WITH DELUXE PASS**

Speakers

Michael Tipps

Founder, Maverick Theory

Michael Tipps has over 30 years of experience working, managing, and consulting in all facets of the hospitality world (throughout all positions, and most venue types including hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and fast service). Michael Tipps’s Career started in Hospitality... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #226/227

Workshop

Registration Pass Deluxe Pass
Audience Owner/Operator
Experience Level Growth Mode, Start Up, Fundamentals
Track Guest Experience
Item Code WKSP5

1:00pm PDT

Integrated Brand Experiences

Monday March 24, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Room #226/227

Speakers

Christopher Sayegh

CEO, The Herbal Chef / Sayegh Hospitality

Chris Sayegh is the Founder and CEO of The Herbal Chef™ and Sayegh Hospitality which has become known as the worlds leading Plant Medicine Hospitality platform. Sayegh was a passionate science and biology student of UC Santa Cruz who turned to the chemistry of food plant medicine... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Room #226/227

Conference Session

Registration Pass Deluxe Pass, Conference Pass
Audience Owner/Operator, GM
Experience Level Fundamentals
Track Guest Experience

2:00pm PDT

Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere: The Impact of Ambience and Design on Guest Experience

Monday March 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Room #226/227

Transform your venue into a destination by mastering the art of ambience. Learn how design, lighting, and sound can create a welcoming atmosphere that enhances guest experience and increases revenue.

Optimize design elements to set the right mood.
Use lighting and music to influence guest behavior.
Create an ambiance that drives repeat business.
Incorporate décor that aligns with your brand.
Maximize comfort and guest satisfaction with thoughtful design choices.

Speakers

Howard Weiss

Senior Vice President of Entertainment & Sponsorships, Vai Global Development - Vai Resort

Howard S. Weiss is an experienced Entertainment & Hospitality Executive. Howard iscurrently the Senior Vice President of Entertainment & Sponsorships @ VAI Resort inGlendale Arizona20 + year professional skilled in Entertainment Bookings, Ticketing, Promotions,Marketing, Nightlife... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Room #226/227

Conference Session

Registration Pass Deluxe Pass, Conference Pass
Audience Owner/Operator, GM
Experience Level Growth Mode
Track Guest Experience

3:00pm PDT

Unleashing Epic Experiences: Engaging Employees, Social Media, and Interactive Guest Magic for Bars and Restaurants

Monday March 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Room #226/227

Learn how to turn negative guest experiences into positive outcomes with expert service recovery strategies. This session will teach you how to handle complaints in a way that builds loyalty and enhances your reputation.

Master techniques for addressing guest complaints.
Turn unhappy customers into loyal patrons.
Implement service recovery protocols that work.
Train staff to handle difficult situations professionally.
Use feedback to improve operations and guest satisfaction.

Speakers

Jennifer Behm-Lazzarini

Chef/Owner, Red Fin 2.0 + The Lucky Rabitt Culinary Creations

Jennifer Behm-Lazzarini brings a culinary edge that bar and nightclub owners will find invaluable. A celebrated chef and TEDx alumni speaker, Jennifer’s journey through entrepreneurship and the culinary arts has equipped her with a battle-hardened recipe for success in fast-paced... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Room #226/227

Conference Session

Registration Pass Deluxe Pass, Conference Pass
Audience Owner/Operator, GM, Bar Manager
Experience Level Mastery
Track Guest Experience

4:00pm PDT

Sip, Serve, Impress: Mastering Memorable Beverage Rituals

Monday March 24, 2025 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

Room #226/227

Discover how thoughtful pouring and serving rituals can transform a guest's experience and elevate your beverage program. From iconic traditions like the Guinness pour to creative pairings like soda with nuts or a Tajín-rimmed Dos Equis, this session will showcase how these rituals leave lasting impressions. Gain practical insights to implement these techniques and create unforgettable moments for your customers.
Key Takeaways:

Understand the impact of unique serving rituals on customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Learn best practices for executing iconic beverage rituals, such as proper Guinness pouring or Corona with lime.
Explore creative serving ideas like pairing beverages with complementary snacks or unique glassware.
Discover how serving rituals can align with and enhance your brand identity.
Gain actionable tips to train staff and seamlessly incorporate these practices into your operation.

Moderators

Peter Camps

Sr. Mgr. Quality & Education - Brewmaster, Heineken USA

Peter Camps, born and raised in Diest, Belgium where he grew up in the family furniture business.In 1987, he made a leap of faith when he decided to build a career in the beer business and started his apprenticeship at the brewery “De Kluis” in Hoegaarden.After an extensive training... Read More →

Speakers

James Lombardino

Beverage Hospitality Consultant, Hogwash

James Lombardino is a seasoned professional with over a decade of cocktail experience spanning various bar settings. From East Village neighborhood hangouts to high-volume underground bars and fine dining restaurants, James has excelled in diverse environments.James's journey includes... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Room #226/227

Conference Session

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Deluxe Pass
Audience Bar Manager, Bartender, Chef, GM, Owner/Operator
Track Guest Experience

1:00pm PDT

Elevating Guest Service: Unlocking Sales and Profit Potential

Tuesday March 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Room #226/227

Guest service is the backbone of any successful food and beverage operation. Learn how exceptional service impacts sales, profitability, and customer loyalty. This session will cover key strategies for fostering a service-driven culture that enhances guest satisfaction and drives long-term success.
Participants will learn:

The direct link between guest service and increased sales/profitability
How high-quality service builds trust, loyalty, and repeat business
Strategies for creating personalized guest experiences that drive upselling
The role of a positive service environment in improving operational efficiency
Best practices for training and empowering teams to deliver exceptional service

Speakers

Timura Jackson

Director of Hospitality Operations, Highway West Vacations

With over two decades of distinguished leadership in hospitality, Timura Jackson is renowned for his strategic vision and transformative impact across diverse operational landscapes. His career reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence in guest experiences, team development... Read More →

Tuesday March 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Room #226/227

Conference Session

Registration Pass Add Separate, Deluxe Pass, Conference Pass
Audience Start-Up, Owner/Operator, GM, Bar Manager
Experience Level Start Up, Mastery
Track BootCamp, Guest Experience

2:00pm PDT

Transformational Hospitality- Transforming Transactions Into Human Connection

Tuesday March 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Room #226/227

This session delves into the art of crafting world-class guest experiences by fostering genuine human connections. Industry expert Monte Silva will share strategies to elevate guest interactions, followed by an interactive Q&A where he’ll coach attendees on implementing practical solutions to real-life challenges. Leave with actionable insights to create memorable, loyalty-building guest experiences.
Participants will learn to:

Define your business’s unique approach to guest interactions and hospitality.
Understand and exceed guest expectations to create standout experiences.
Build and motivate a high-performance team dedicated to delivering exceptional service.
Implement strategies that enhance guest satisfaction and foster repeat visits.
Develop a culture of meaningful connection that turns guests into loyal advocates.

Speakers

Monte Silva

CEO, Ten Tables Hospitality

Monte has 25 years of executive leadership experience in the Hospitality industry. Prior to that, he started his career like many, as a dishwasher. He worked through all of the front of house and back of house hourly positions and into management. 2 years into his restaurant management... Read More →

Tuesday March 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Room #226/227

Conference Session

Registration Pass Add Separate, Deluxe Pass, Conference Pass
Audience Owner/Operator, GM, Bar Manager
Experience Level All Levels
Track Guest Experience

1:00pm PDT

WS7 Building a Profitable Brand Identity: Telling Your Hospitality Story to Drive Revenue, Customer Loyalty and Success

Wednesday March 26, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Room #229/230

In this dynamic workshop, participants will learn how to craft a compelling and flexible brand story that aligns their hospitality project with community values and supports sustainable growth. Through interactive activities, we’ll guide you in defining core brand values, refining your messaging, and ensuring consistent communication with employees, partners, and customers.

Identify and define core brand values for long-term success.
Develop a compelling brand story that resonates with your community.
Learn how to communicate consistently across all stakeholder groups.
Build a brand story that remains adaptable as your project grows.
Gain practical tools to structure and discipline your brand messaging efforts.

**SESSION AVAILABLE ONLY WITH DELUXE PASS**

Speakers

Judy Bennett

Co-owner, American 35

Judy Bennett is a physical therapist, certified wellness consultant, and bartender. She now co-owns a single-location Neapolitan pizza restaurant with her husband in a small rural Washington town. She has traveled the country delivering workshops to groups large and small on the topic... Read More →

Thomas Bennett

Owner, American 35

Thomas Bennett is co-owner of American 35 restaurant in Waitsburg WA. Along with his wife, Judy, he renovated an 1895 historic building and is now pursuing awards for hospitality and quality in a wine-tourism region. He also runs a catering company using a mobile wood-fired oven on... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room #229/230

Workshop

Registration Pass Deluxe Pass
Audience Owner/Operator, GM, Bar Manager
Experience Level Fundamentals
Track Guest Experience
Item Code WKSP7