Vibe Conference 2025: Full Schedule

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11:30am PST

Flavors in Bloom

Monday March 3, 2025 11:30am - 4:00pm PST

Start your day with a burst of flavor and inspiration! Experience a vibrant garden of flavor as Ruby liquor, beer, and wine sponsors showcase their creative edge. Stroll, sip, and discover what’s next in the world of beverages.

Monday March 3, 2025 11:30am - 4:00pm PST
TBA

Networking

Registration Pass All Passes

1:00pm PST

Consumer Trends in Non Traditional Venues

Monday March 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PST

TBA

As consumer preferences evolve, non-traditional F&B venues like cinemas, airports, and other entertainment-based locations are becoming key players in the hospitality landscape. This session explores the distinct consumer trends in these environments, highlighting how guest expectations, purchasing patterns, and engagement differ from traditional restaurant settings. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to tailor their food and beverage offerings to meet the unique demands of these experiential venues.

Moderators

Josh Barone

Vice President, Commercial, SSP America

Vice President of Commercial Josh Barone is a key figure in driving the company’s profitability and like-for-like sales. His leadership is marked by his ability to generate innovative ideas, solve complex problems, and make data-led decisions. Josh manages the commercial and commercial... Read More →

Speakers

Liz Einhorn

Founder & CEO, Experience Threee

Liz Einhorn is the Founder & CEO of Experience Threee, an agency renowned for its expertise in beverage program strategy, brand management, and growth solutions tailored for high-traffic environments like airports. With a 20 year career in the beverage industry, Liz brings extensive... Read More →

Simon Dodsworth

Vice President of Food & Beverage, Flix Brewhouse

VP of F&B with Flix Brewhouse for over six years. Overseeing all menu ideation, testing and implementation. LTO and alternative content promotions. Mixology. Event Sales and Marketing. Culinary & Brewery team oversight

Monday March 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PST
TBA

Workshop

Registration Pass All Passes

1:00pm PST

Marketing Workshop TBA

Monday March 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PST

TBA

Details Coming Soon

Monday March 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PST
TBA

Workshop

Registration Pass All Passes

1:00pm PST

Strategic Rollouts: Mastering Beverage Program Launches Across Large-Scale Concepts

Monday March 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PST

TBA

Learn the art of launching successful beverage programs across large-scale concepts, from national chains to multi-unit operations. This session provides key insights into strategic planning, execution, and optimization to ensure seamless rollouts that drive guest satisfaction and profitability.

Develop a step-by-step plan for launching beverage programs across multiple locations.
Explore best practices for ensuring consistency and quality during large-scale rollouts.
Learn how to measure success and refine beverage programs post-launch to maximize ROI

Moderators

Melissa Salbert

Senior Director, Brand Marketing, Hooters of America

Melissa Salbert is a marketing professional who is passionate about the beverage and restaurant industry. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Advertising and Italian Language, and began her career as an account manager for a graphic design agency. Her... Read More →

Speakers

Andrea Langus

Senior Manager, Bar & Beverage, Chili's Grill & Bar

Andrea Davidoff Langus is the Senior Manager of Brand Strategy, Bar & Beverage at Chili’s Grill and Bar. At Chili’s, Andrea leads the brand's beverage business strategy and planning, beverage pipeline and innovation. She spends a lot of time thinking and talking about tequila... Read More →

Ian Welby

Vice President of Beverage and Execution, Bar Louie

Ian Welby is the Vice President of Beverage and Execution for Bar Louie. Ian brings a wealth of experience to his role, steering the company's overarching beverage strategy honed through years of hands-on experience and oversight at every level of the organization. Ian launched... Read More →

Monday March 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PST
TBA

Workshop

Registration Pass All Passes

2:00pm PST

Navigating Beverage Program RFPs for Hotels

Monday March 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PST

TBA

Navigate the beverage program RFP process for all types of hotels, mid-scale to luxury, from boutique properties, multiconcept hospitality groups and global chains. This session will offer practical insights for crafting proposals that meet varied hotel needs,and best practices for working with suppliers to ensure a beverage program to elevate guest experience and drive profitability across the hospitality spectrum

Speakers

Aliya Kritzler

Group VP, F&B and Lifestyle Hotels, HEI Hotels & 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 →

Allison Kafalas

Director of Beverage, Americas, Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Allison Kafalas is the Director of Beverage, Americas, for Hilton Hotels & Resorts. In her role, she is responsible for leading innovative beverage programs and developing immersive food and beverage experiences for Hilton’s portfolio of full-service and luxury brands (including... Read More →

Monday March 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PST
TBA

Workshop

Registration Pass All Passes

2:00pm PST

Scaling Small to Mid-Size Concepts While Preserving Culture

Monday March 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PST

TBA

Scaling small to mid-size concepts presents unique challenges, especially when maintaining the distinct culture that defines your brand. This session explores strategies for growing regional and multi-concept operations without sacrificing the core values and guest experiences that make your business stand out. Learn how to balance expansion with cultural integrity and operational efficiency.

Speakers

Edie Burns

Corporate Director of F&B, Schulte Hospitality

Edie Burns is a seasoned food and beverage operator who honed her skills in every position in the front of house whether it be in an independent restaurant, bar, hotel, or on the multi-unit or corporate level.Edie has opened more than 40 restaurants, bars, and banquet operations in... Read More →

Henry Bowers

Beverage Director, Versus Equity

Hank Bowers is a seasoned restaurant industry professional with over two decades of experience in various roles, from line cook, bartender, manager and most recently beverage director. He’s renowned for his menu creations at iconic D.C. restaurants like Dlena, Fiola Mare, and Mintwood.In... Read More →

Emily Beesley

VP of Marketing, On Deck Concepts

Emily Beesley is a seasoned marketing executive with over 15 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industries. As the Vice President of Marketing at On Deck Concepts, she has been instrumental in driving brand growth and enhancing customer engagement through innovative... Read More →

Chrys Tirado

National Beverage Manager, Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs

Monday March 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PST
TBA

Workshop

Registration Pass All Passes

2:00pm PST

WS6 Navigating National Beverage Programs: Strengthening Supplier-Operator Partnerships for Success

Monday March 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PST

TBA

Discover how to navigate the complexities of large-scale beverage programs by fostering strong supplier-operator relationships. This session will explore practical approaches to optimizing supplier collaborations, aligning product offerings with brand goals, and leveraging partnerships to enhance program profitability.

Develop strategies to build mutually beneficial supplier relationships that drive innovation and value.
Uncover insights into aligning beverage selections with operational needs and guest expectations.
Leverage supplier data and market trends to design high-performing beverage portfolios and promotions.

Monday March 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PST
TBA

Workshop

Registration Pass All Passes

4:00pm PST

Pouring It Forward

Monday March 3, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm PST

TBA

Embrace an purpose as our Pinnacle sponsors showcase bold, innovative beverage service. Every sip supports CORE, our incredible charity partner, making this vibrant kickoff both meaningful and unforgettable.

Monday March 3, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm PST
TBA

Networking

Registration Pass All Passes