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Venue: Room #229/230 clear filter
Monday, March 24
 

1:00pm PDT

Start Up Essentials: Bar & Restaurant Bootcamp
Monday March 24, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Bar & Restaurant Expo Presents: The Startup Essentials Bootcamp
Turn your dream of owning a venue into reality with this hands-on, no-nonsense bootcamp led by Maverick Theory.
Join us for an in-depth, high-energy bootcamp designed for hospitality operators eager to elevate their ventures. Led by industry experts, this session will tackle the most pressing questions in concept development, marketing, operations, and scaling, with actionable takeaways for every attendee.

Schedule Overview30 Minutes – Bootcamp Overview
Presenter: Michael Tipps
Michael Tipps will kick off the session with a comprehensive roadmap of the BRE Bootcamp. Learn what makes this industry unique and discover the key insights you’ll gain throughout the day.

45 Minutes – Concept Development: Building a Brand That Stands Out
In a market crowded with options, how do you make your concept unforgettable? Michael Tipps will share his secrets for creating an extraordinary brand and debunking conventional wisdom to surprise and delight your guests.

45 Minutes – Marketing & Site Selection
Presenter: Michael Sullivan
Michael Sullivan will guide attendees through the critical process of site selection and how to leverage your location to attract your ideal guest. From pinpointing the perfect spot to crafting a marketing strategy that converts, this session is packed with insights.

45 Minutes – Beverage & Culinary: Crafting a Purposeful Menu
Presenters: David Foss & Chef Daniel Eddy
Whether you’re building a cocktail menu, a culinary program, or both, this session explores how to create a harmonious menu that keeps guests coming back. David Foss and Chef Daniel Eddy will share their proven strategies for purposeful F&B offerings that work for any venue.

45 Minutes – Operations: Creating a Remarkable Guest Experience
Presenter: Nesha Abarno
The guest journey starts long before they step through your doors. Nesha Abarno will reveal the behind-the-scenes magic that ensures every guest touchpoint is remarkable, leaving them eager to share their experience.

45 Minutes – Operations & Scaling: Building a Team for Success
Presenter: Chris Melly
From your first hire to building a scalable operation, Chris Melly will outline how to develop resilient teams, retain top talent, and create continuity for long-term growth.

This bootcamp is your chance to learn directly from industry leaders, ask your burning questions, and leave with strategies you can immediately implement in your business. Don't miss this opportunity to network, learn, and take your hospitality venture to the next level!
Sponsored By:
Speakers
avatar for Paul Reilly

Paul Reilly

Culinary Director, Propietor, Coperta
Paul C Reilly grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley and has been working in kitchens since he was fourteen. Paul is the culinary director and proprietor of beast + bottle group managing award winning concepts in Denver, Coloradobeast + bottle group began in 2013, and has since become... Read More →
avatar for Michael Tipps

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 →
avatar for Daniel Eddy

Daniel Eddy

Owner operator, Winner
Daniel Eddy, the owner and operator of WINNER, has built a remarkable career rooted in hisdiverse culinary upbringing and passion for community-focused dining. Born in New York Cityand raised in Nicaragua and East Harlem, Eddy's early experiences with traditional Nicaraguancuisine... Read More →
avatar for Christopher Melly

Christopher Melly

Director of Operations, Fox Restaurant Concepts
avatar for Nesha Arbano

Nesha Arbano

Event Producer, Duke and Van Deusen
Nesha Abarno is a dynamic leader in the hospitality and event industries with over 20 years of experience. Renowned for managing top-tier restaurants and producing high-stakes events, she has expertly helmed iconic venues like La Esquina and Beauty & Essex NYC, both celebrated for... Read More →
CP

Carson Parker

Director, Founder, +Plus Collective
Carson is a visionary architect with a passion for crafting immersive Hospitality experiences. His expertise in blending aesthetics and functionality has transformed spaces. With a Masters in Architecture from SCAD and a background in award-winning design studios, Edell brings a unique... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room #229/230
  Conference Session, Bootcamp - Add on Item
 
Tuesday, March 25
 

1:00pm PDT

SOLD OUT! GM Masterclass: The Art of the Pre-Shift
Tuesday March 25, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
In this 90-minute masterclass restaurant general managers will learn how to transform a standard pre-shift meeting into a powerful tool for enhancing team engagement, improving service quality, and boosting overall restaurant performance. This session will provide actionable strategies to elevate the pre-shift from a mechanical task to an energizing, culture-building event. Attendees will gain insights into structuring pre-shift meetings that not only prepare staff operationally but also inspire and motivate them, leading to stronger guest experiences, improved staff retention, and increased revenue.
Key topics will include the importance of creating a consistent and intentional pre-shift structure, how to develop and convey core values, and practical methods for continuous staff education and growth. Participants will leave with clear guidelines on how to organize, lead, and sustain pre-shift meetings that drive success across all levels of the restaurant.
Participants will know how to:

  • Standardize Pre-Shift Content: Use a structured format that includes daily and weekly focuses based on monthly educational themes such as service excellence, hospitality, and food knowledge.
  • Invest in Engagement: Spend 20-30 minutes on pre-shift meetings daily, ensuring that both FOH and BOH staff are engaged, motivated, and prepared to create an exceptional guest experience.
  • Develop Core Values: Ensure that pre-shift meetings communicate your restaurant’s core values in real-time application, fostering a sense of purpose and alignment among staff.
  • Support Management Growth: Train managers to be effective leaders and educators through the pre-shift structure, providing them with tools to motivate and guide their teams.
  • Boost Staff Retention: Use pre-shift meetings as a platform for continuous education and team-building, reducing turnover by making staff feel valued and invested in their growth.
Speakers
avatar for Haley Nutter-Sitek

Haley Nutter-Sitek

Owner/Director of Hospitality, Crown Restaurant Group
Managing Partner with her husband and Director of Hospitality of Crown Restaurant Group in Cincinnati, Ohio. CRG is a company that has expanded to 7 different concepts since 2018 and is still growing. A graduate from the Johnson & Wales Culinary program, Haley decided she liked to... Read More →
Tuesday March 25, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room #229/230
  Master Class

2:45pm PDT

Bar Manager Masterclass: Becoming the Successful Master of your Bar Domain
Tuesday March 25, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
In this masterclass, participants will delve into crucial techniques, discover strategies, engage in practical hands-on activities, and access valuable tools and resources to pave their path to successful bar management.
Attendees will:
• Learn essential leadership skills to effectively manage a bar and inspire your team.
• Understand how to design a well-balanced and sustainable beverage menu that appeals to your clientele.
• Gain insights into accurately costing your beverage program to ensure profitability and sustainability.
• Participate in hands-on activities that reinforce key concepts and practical skills.
• Access helpful tools and resources to support your journey towards becoming a successful bar manager.
Speakers
avatar for Kyla Hein

Kyla Hein

Operating Owner, TWP Hospitality
Same
Tuesday March 25, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
Room #229/230
  Master Class
 
Wednesday, March 26
 

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
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
avatar for Judy Bennett

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 →
avatar for Thomas Bennett

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
 

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