Vibe Conference 2025: Full Schedule

8:30am PST

Opening Remarks

Tuesday March 4, 2025 8:30am - 8:35am PST

Pacific Ballroom

Tuesday March 4, 2025 8:30am - 8:35am PST
Pacific Ballroom

Registration Pass All Passes

8:35am PST

Back by Popular Demand! Kim Lear to Keynote with “Generations 2.0: The Next Era”

Tuesday March 4, 2025 8:35am - 9:15am PST

Pacific Ballroom

After captivating last year’s audience with her insights into generational dynamics, Kim returns to dive deeper into how Generation Z is reshaping workplace culture and consumer behavior. Discover actionable strategies to engage this influential generation and stay ahead in the evolving hospitality industry.

The newest generation to enter the workplace and marketplace is Generation Z (born between 1996-2010-ish). Like every generation before, they are bringing with them a different set of priorities and new ways of working, connecting, dating, consuming, and even drinking. By seeing the world through the eyes of this new generation, leaders will be better prepared for the workforce and marketplace of tomorrow.

Speakers

Kim Lear

Founder, Content Director, Inlay Insights

Kim Lear is a writer, researcher, and the founder of Inlay Insights. She is known for skillfully weaving eye-opening statistics, insightful stories, and relevant case studies to make presentations come alive. Previously, Kim was the content director at BridgeWorks, a research firm... Read More →

Tuesday March 4, 2025 8:35am - 9:15am PST
Pacific Ballroom

Keynote

Registration Pass All Passes

9:15am PST

Think Global to Win Local

Tuesday March 4, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am PST

Pacific Ballroom

CGA by NIQ will take you on a journey through the latest and greatest drink and outlet trends across the globe, whilst always considering what it means for us in the USA. By combining sales, consumer, analytic and bartender trends, CGA can give the full view on where the channel is currently at and where it is heading. The presentation will include VIBE exclusive data which will be presented for the first time at the conference.

Speakers

Andrew Hummel

Director, CGA by NIQ

Andrew Hummel is Director for CGA by NIQ and is responsible for driving the success of US on-premise supplier, distributor, and operator partners within the channel.Andrew joined CGA by NIQ in 2021, bringing 10+ years of comprehensive BevAl three-tier system experience and valuable... Read More →

Matthew Crompton

VP Beverage Alcohol On Premise (Americas), NielsenIQ

WIth 15+ years of experience working with Beverage Alcohol clients, Matt is an expert in all things On Premise. He has managed and provided consultancy for some of the largest Beverage Alcohol manufacturers across Europe and the Americas, helping his clients to build On premise strategies... Read More →

Tuesday March 4, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am PST
Pacific Ballroom

General Session

Registration Pass All Passes

10:30am PST

The Experience Economy!

Tuesday March 4, 2025 10:30am - 11:15am PST

Pacific Ballroom

Selling consumers on why you and your brand is even more important today than before. Join Colleen McClellan from Datassential to explore how operators and brands are creating personalized and engaging experiences to drive traffic and check averages. From global influence, AI, menuing, activations and more - this session will leave you ready to try something new.

Speakers

Colleen Mcclellan

Chief Customer Officer, Datassential

Colleen has over 20-years' experience in marketing, insights, and innovation for both retail and foodservice markets. Throughout her career, she has worked to translate trends and insights into profitable actions across all food and beverage categories. Currently, Colleen is Chief... Read More →

Tuesday March 4, 2025 10:30am - 11:15am PST
Pacific Ballroom

General Session

Registration Pass All Passes

11:15am PST

Navigating Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Opportunities: A State of the Industry Panel for On-Premise Beverage Executives

Tuesday March 4, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm PST

Pacific Ballroom

Join leading voices in a multi-stakeholder panel as they discuss the critical challenges reshaping the industry—from labor shortages and rising costs to shifting consumer demands. Panelists will explore fresh strategies for talent retention, supplier partnerships, and digital engagement, offering insights into adapting and thriving in today’s evolving landscape. Discover how to meet current challenges head-on while staying agile in a landscape where technology and trends are redefining the future of on-premise beverage.

Moderators

Colleen McLeod Garner

Advisory Board Member, Cecilia.ai

Colleen is a futurist and industry innovator, specializing in driving future-forward initiatives across thefood, beverages, and hospitality sectors. She serves as an Advisory Board Member for Cecilia.ai, the World'sfirst interactive robotic bartender, where she explores innovative... Read More →

Speakers

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 →

Trevor Tyler

Vice President of Beverage, Eureka Restaurant Group

Trevor Tyler is the Vice President of Beverage for Eureka! Restaurant Group and oversees the Beverage Program for all 32 units which include Eureka! and La Popular. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Hospitality Management. Trevor is a Certified Cicerone®, one of... Read More →

Shilah Salmon

Senior Vice President, Marketing, Jackson Family Wines

Shilah has been in the global wine industry for almost 20 years, pursuing her interests in wine, agriculture and the global business.For five years, based out of San Francisco, Shilah managed the Constellation portfolio of wineries outside of the United States as the International... Read More →

Indre Jasaityte

Director, Beverage, BJ's Restaurants

Indre has 18 years of restaurant and 9 years of beverage/alcohol industry experience, and currently holds the role of Beverage Director for BJ’s Restaurants. She oversees the beverage program for over 200+ restaurants in 30+ States. Indre leads the team on strategy, innovation... Read More →

Tuesday March 4, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm PST
Pacific Ballroom

General Session

Registration Pass All Passes

1:15pm PST

No/Low Trends and Operator Strategies to Enhance Guest Experience and Drive Revenue

Tuesday March 4, 2025 1:15pm - 2:00pm PST

Pacific Ballroom

This session will explore how operators can successfully integrate low and no-alcohol options into their on-premise beverage programs, addressing shifting consumer preferences and the growing demand for mindful drinking. Learn how to craft a compelling low/no-alcohol menu, leverage supplier partnerships for innovation, and effectively market these options to maximize profitability.

Developing a diverse, creative low/no-alcohol menu that appeals to a broad customer base.
Utilizing supplier relationships to stay ahead of trends and introduce unique, market-leading products.
Implementing targeted marketing strategies to highlight low/no-alcohol offerings and drive guest engagement.

Moderators

Donna Hood Crecca

Principal, Technomic

Donna Hood Crecca is Principal at Technomic Inc., where she leads the firm’s Adult Beverage Practice, as well as its Convenience Store Practice and is founder ofits Cannabis Practice. As Principal, Donna develops research-based insights and recommendations for leading and emerging... Read More →

Speakers

Nick Ansara

Senior Manager of Beverage, Operating Partner, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants/Ocean Prime

As a seasoned professional, Nick Ansara, Senior Manager of Beverage for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants and Ocean Prime, has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He leads the beverage programs for 65 restaurant units, consisting of 20 unique brands across 17 states.From... Read More →

Mike Miskiewicz

Sr Director National On Premise Sales, Heineken USA

Mike Miskiewicz is currently the Senior Director National On Premise Sales for HEINEKEN USA. For over the past 29 years, Mike has held various roles within the Heineken organization both in the United States and in the Netherlands ranging from Logistics / Supply Chain Management... Read More →

Nathaniel Brethold

Vice President - Restaurant Bars and Events, CoralTree Hospitality

Nathaniel grew up working as a roadie for his father’s wedding band in St. Louis, which naturally involved seeing a slew of hotels and restaurants. This insider’s view lead him to his first real job within hospitality as the youngest employee at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, St. Louis... Read More →

Tuesday March 4, 2025 1:15pm - 2:00pm PST
Pacific Ballroom

Workshop

Registration Pass All Passes

2:15pm PST

Advanced Leadership & Management Best Practices

Tuesday March 4, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm PST

Pacific Ballroom

This session will explore advanced leadership and management strategies designed to help beverage leaders succeed in both mid-size multi-concept and large-scale beverage programs. It will focus on communication techniques, fostering team collaboration, and leading multigenerational teams for sustained success.

Implementing communication techniques that resonate across diverse age groups.
Developing training programs tailored for multigenerational teams to improve cohesion and performance.
Enhancing leadership practices to drive efficiency and innovation within mid-size multi-concept and large-scale beverage programs.

Speakers

Jennifer Jackson

Enterprise Beverage Manager, Thompson Restaurants

Jen Jackson is an accomplished beverage manager with extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, specializing in bar management and restaurant creation. With over seven years in the wine industry and five years in the beer sector, Jen has developed a deep understanding... Read More →

Matt Poffel

Director of Beerology, SPB Hospitality

A hospitality industry veteran of over 30 years, Matt has been working in the casual dining segment for the last 24. Since 2019, he's been part of the beverage department at SPB Hospitality, part of a team of two overseeing beverage menu curation and ideation of concepts like Old... Read More →

Tuesday March 4, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm PST
Pacific Ballroom

Workshop

Registration Pass All Passes

3:15pm PST

Closing Panel: Creative Partnerships for Immersive Activations in On-Premise Beverage

Tuesday March 4, 2025 3:15pm - 3:55pm PST

Pacific Ballroom

Explore the power of creative partnerships in crafting immersive activations that resonate with today’s trend of experiential marketing across hotels, restaurants, cruise lines, and "eatertainment" venues. This session will delve into successful collaborations between hospitality operators and suppliers, showcasing innovative activations that enhance guest experiences and drive engagement. Attendees will learn how to leverage these partnerships to create unique, memorable events that not only elevate their brands but also align with evolving consumer expectations.

Discover best practices for forming successful partnerships that lead to impactful activations.
Learn how to design immersive experiences that engage guests and enhance brand loyalty.
Explore case studies of innovative collaborations that exemplify the power of experiential marketing in the hospitality industry.

Moderators

Simone Ventura

Customer Solutions Director On-Premise, Bacardi

Simone has been with Bacardi USA for 14 years, with the last 8 dedicated to the On-Premise. She currently leads the Customer Solutions function for the Total On-Premise Commercial Team. This includes all on-premise channels for both the National Account and Independent Divisions in... Read More →

Speakers

Stephanie Dold

Beverage Director, The Walt Disney Company

Steph Dold is the Beverage Director for Walt Disney World, where she develops site-wide beverage strategies and new concepts for over 25 hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 waterparks and the Disney Springs entertainment complex. In her current role, she looks to act as a conduit between Walt... Read More →

Todd Schuessler

Director, National & Regional On Premise Accounts, Campari America

Todd Schuessler began his career at an advertising agency in Atlanta, GA, where he managed the Remy Cointreau USA Account. After several years servicing this account, Remy Cointreau USA hired him from the agency to work in their corporate offices in New York City. Todd spent 15 years... Read More →

Lindsay Truesdell

Director, Partnership Marketing, Delaware North

Lindsay Truesdell serves as Director, Partnership Marketing at Delaware North, one of the world's largest privately held hospitality and entertainment companies. In this role, she works with the company’s vendor and supplier partners to create mutually beneficial marketing programs... Read More →

Nicole Haarklau

Corporate Director, Food and Beverage, Coury Hospitality

Nicole Haarklau is Corporate Director, Food & Beverage Operations for Coury Hospitality. Haarklau elevates the bar with her focus on front of the house operations and premium culinary and beverage programming for lifestyle hotels and restaurants across Coury’s portfolio. Working... Read More →

Tuesday March 4, 2025 3:15pm - 3:55pm PST
Pacific Ballroom

General Session

Registration Pass All Passes

3:55pm PST

Vista Operator Awards

Tuesday March 4, 2025 3:55pm - 4:30pm PST

Pacific Ballroom

Tuesday March 4, 2025 3:55pm - 4:30pm PST
Pacific Ballroom

Awards

Registration Pass All Passes

8:30am PST

“Can” is Different Than “Should: Harnessing the Right Beverage Innovation That Aligns with Brand Identity

Wednesday March 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am PST

Pacific Ballroom

In this session, on-premise beverage executives will explore how to navigate the growing landscape of beverage innovation and trends while staying true to their brand identity. Learn how to evaluate which trends align with your concept, and when it’s better to pass on innovations that don't enhance your core brand. Discover actionable strategies to balance creativity with brand consistency, ensuring that your beverage program drives both guest satisfaction and revenue growth.

Moderators

Mike Herchuck

Vice President Of Operations, American Social Bar & Kitchen

Mike Herchuck is the Executive Vice President of Operations at American Social, leading the Food & Beverage, Support, and Operations teams. In this role, he oversees the planning and execution of all menus, operations, training, and programming—including budgeting, cost management... Read More →

Speakers

Nikki Hueckel

Director of Beverage, Delaware North

Nikki Hueckel is the Director of Beverage for Delaware North, one of the largest privately held hospitality and entertainment companies in the world.A graduate of The Ohio State University, Nikki has spent over 20 years in the hospitality industry, earning certifications from both... Read More →

Ed Eiswirth

SR Director Beverage Operations & Innovation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Ed is an award-winning industry veteran with over 20 years’ experience in enterprise beverage management, strategic initiatives, bar operations and innovation. With a wide range of experience in casual, upscale casual and fine dining Ed has brought a unique perspective to shipboard... Read More →

Craig Schoettler

Executive Director Of Beverage and Corporate Mixologist, MGM Resorts International

In his role as Executive Director of Beverage and Corporate Mixologist at MGM Resorts International, Craig Schoettler uses his extensive culinary and beverage knowledge to position the company as a thought leader in the hospitality industry. Under his guidance, Schoettler oversees... Read More →

Wednesday March 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am PST
Pacific Ballroom

General Session

Registration Pass All Passes

9:15am PST

Bottoms Up: Hotel Operators Share How to Optimize Beverage Offerings to Boost Revenue and Profitability

Wednesday March 5, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am PST

Pacific Ballroom

In this session we will explore the role of the beverage offering as a key revenue source for hotels and its evolving role in driving profitability across the F&B department and beyond. Hosted by HotStats, this panel of operators will delve into the latest beverage trends and their impact on the P&L, as well as explore how to tailor a hotel’s beverage strategy to keep up with the changes in consumer preferences.

Moderators

Laura Resco

Director - Hotel Intelligence Americas, HotStats

Laura Resco is the Director of Hotel Intelligence - Americas for HotStats. In this role she collaborates with strategic partners to support the development and promotion of Profit & Loss benchmarking analytics. Prior to her appointment, Laura was the Customer Success Manager – Americas... Read More →

Speakers

Nathaniel Brethold

Vice President - Restaurant Bars and Events, CoralTree Hospitality

Gary Gruver

Director Of Global Beverage Strategy, Marriott International

Gary Gruver is an accomplished Beverage Director with over two decades of experience in the restaurant and beverage alcohol industry. He currently holds the position of Global Director of Beverage Strategy at Marriott International, where he leads beverage programming initiatives... Read More →

Alfio Celia

Vice President F&B, Crescent Hotels & Resorts

Alfio Celia is a visionary leader in the hospitality industry with over a decade of experience transforming guest experiences and redefining the art of food and beverage operations. As Vice President of Food & Beverage for Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Alfio has established himself as... Read More →

Nicole Haarklau

Corporate Director, Food and Beverage, Coury Hospitality

Wednesday March 5, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am PST
Pacific Ballroom

General Session

Registration Pass All Passes

10:00am PST

How Consumer Data is Unlocking Cannabis Beverages for On-Premise

Wednesday March 5, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am PST

Pacific Ballroom

Speakers

Nicole Hanratty

VP Marketing, MWG Holdings Group

Nicole Hanratty, VP of Marketing at MWG Holdings Group, Inc. and Editor in Chief at smish., is a dynamic executive known for her remarkable ability to navigate industries during challenging climates and emerge with unrivaled success. With a background in global marketing and communications... Read More →

Wednesday March 5, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am PST
Pacific Ballroom

Keynote

Registration Pass All Passes

10:45am PST

Supplier Awards

Wednesday March 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PST

Pacific Ballroom

For more than 10 years, the Supplier Awards have invited beverage operators to rate their respective supplier companies on key attributes, including business-building support as well as service and support performance through live interviews. To ensure efficient, fair and unbiased balloting and analysis, results were analyzed by food and beverage industry research and consulting firm CM Profit Group. Winners were then identified in four categories including beer, wine, spirits and non-alcohol beverages, categorized by total annual case volume.

Speakers

Shawn Fox

Partner, CM Profit Group / Fox Sales Coaching

Shawn Fox is a Partner and Head of Research at CM Profit Group, where he leads client delivery. The annual Partnering Study, published for both On and Off Premise channels, has fueled the Vibe Supplier Awards for the past eight years through confidential interviews. We are grateful... Read More →

Wednesday March 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PST
Pacific Ballroom

Awards

Registration Pass All Passes