VIBE Conference 2020: Full Schedule

1:45pm PST

Me & My Negroni...Which Gin is Right for You?

So you think the Negroni is a simple, three ingredients drink that people have been imbibing upon for over a hundred years, and you would be right, or at least partially right. What if one of those ingredients is a bold, full-bodied juniper-forward gin, or a lighter, more floral style, or a big, citrus and spice-laden gin? Would this have an impact on your Negroni? Join Tony a lover of the Negroni as we explore these and other questions pertaining to selecting the right gin for your Negroni!

Speakers

Tony Abou-Ganim

Principal, The Modern Mixologist

Tony Abou-Ganim is widely regarded as one of the pioneering and leading bar professionals in the world. He has made dozens of national TV appearances on shows including TODAY, Iron Chef America, Good Morning America, CNBC, Fox News and more. Abou-Ganim is the author of The Modern... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2020 1:45pm - 2:45pm PST
Salon H

Workshops, Tasting

Target Audience Operators, Gin Sponsors

1:45pm PST

Menu Your Wine to Sell!

Join Datassential for a hands on workshop focused on how to lower the barrier to trial a new glass of wine.

Speakers

Colleen McClellan

Director, Datassential

Colleen has over 17-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 a Director... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2020 1:45pm - 2:45pm PST
Salon G

Workshops

Target Audience Operators, Wine Sponsors

1:45pm PST

Refining Your Drinks Program Based on Global & Local Trends

In this session, Scott and Matthew dive into exclusive On Premise data to reveal the essential drink trends across Europe and the US. Combining a variety of Nielsen CGA's unique research products, this session highlights key dynamics around concept supply, consumer drivers, the influence of bartenders as well as local POS sales and price performance. Attendees will take away clear opportunities for further refining their drinks offering across the different parts of the US whilst having a much clearer understanding of trends yet to drift over from Europe.

Speakers

Matthew Crompton

Client Solutions Director, Nielsen CGA

Matthew Crompton is the Client Solutions Director for Nielsen CGA and is responsible for the implementation of Nielsen CGA’s on premise services in the US. Since joining CGA Strategy in January 2010, Matthew has risen through the CGA ranks becoming an expert in all things On Premise... Read More →

Scott Elliott

Senior Vice President, Nielsen

Combining the global reach of Nielsen, and the on premise expertise of CGA - the continued expansion of the Nielsen CGA partnership has brought a host of world-class on premise capabilities to the USA for the first time.Best in class proprietary datasets, combined with world-leading... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2020 1:45pm - 2:45pm PST
Salon F

Workshops

Target Audience Operators

10:15am PST

A Rosé for All Seasons

Rosé gets guzzled up all summer long, and then ignored for the rest of the year. But should it? It’s time to start considering rosé beyond the hot days and acknowledging the ability these wines have to pair with a variety of foods. What many do not realize is that the category has a wide range of styles, some of which can continue to develop with age. In this seminar Rebecca will select a lineup of pink wines and speak to their applications beyond a hot-day’s refresher. TASTING

Speakers

Rebecca Fineman

Master Sommelier

Rebecca fell into the restaurant industry almost by accident. She studied Music and Anthropology at Pomona College in Clarement, California, which was followed by a Fulbright year in South Korea, and then graduate school in Honolulu. This liberal arts background brought her home to... Read More →

Wednesday February 26, 2020 10:15am - 11:15am PST
Salon H

Workshops, Tasting

Target Audience Operators, Wine Sponsors

10:15am PST

New Horizons in Non-Alcoholic

Join Kathy as she moderates an industry panel of experts and they share the evolution of opportunities in non-alcoholic beverages. From NAB bars and pop-ups to new products and delivery – you’ll learn what the future holds in this ever growing category. Hear who’s trailblazing this segment – what’s relative and important to your offerings today, and what’s on this beverage horizon.

Moderators

Kathy Casey

President, Liquid Kitchen

Speakers

Tracy Redmond

Senior Manager of Bar & Beverage, Applebee’s

Anthony Schmidt

Beverage Manager, Consortium Holdings

Brad Ward

Beverage Manager, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Wednesday February 26, 2020 10:15am - 11:15am PST
Ballrooms A-E

Workshops

Target Audience Operators, Mix & Flavor Sponsors

10:15am PST

What’s Next for the Changing Status of Beer?

Beer has come a long way in the last 50 years, evolving from light beers and lagers to ‘microbrews’ and fancy imports to ‘craft beer’ and a seemingly infinite number of IPAs. And now the market appears to be changing again, but how? Stephen, a veteran beer writer and author, leads a panel of operators in a ‘deep dive’ search for the new meaning of beer: how it is evolving; where it is headed; and how bars and restaurants can best position themselves to capitalize on its changing identity.

Moderators

Stephen Beaumont

Drinks Writer, Author & Hospitality Consultant, Beaumont Drinks

Speakers

Nate Grover

Director of Bar & Beverage, Applebee's

Anna Krone

Director of Beverage, Village Hospitality

Jonny Stringer

Consultant, JS Beverage Consulting

Wednesday February 26, 2020 10:15am - 11:15am PST
Salon G

Workshops

Target Audience Operators, Beer Sponsors

11:45am PST

Growing Green - Responsible Grape Farming

Responsible farming techniques are quickly becoming the norm in the wine industry and that philosophy aligns exactly with current consumer preferences, particularly millennials. There are, however, a variety of these techniques that also makes this topic confusing. Learn the unique aspects of each of these techniques and how to best market them via your wine program to your customers.

Moderators

Bob Bath

Professor of Wine & Beverage / Master Sommelier, Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

Speakers

Chris Benziger

Vice President of Trade Relations, Benziger Family Winery

Maurice DiMarino

Wine & Beverage Manager Certified Sommelier & Certified Cicerone®, Cohn Restaurant Group

Mary Melton

Director of Beverage, P.F. Chang's

Chris Morgan

Divisional Beverage Manager, Landry's Inc.

Wednesday February 26, 2020 11:45am - 12:45pm PST
Salon G

Workshops

Target Audience Operators, Wine Sponsors

11:45am PST

Leading by Styles: Unlocking Growth in the Beer Category

Why is it better to have more styles of beer for your customers? Did you know that consumers who drink more styles are proven to drink more beer? Join Sara as we explore the breadth of beer styles available and map them to the right consumer taste preferences and occasions. Unlock growth for your beer category and uncover enormous trade up opportunities through the occasion based lead by Style view point.

Speakers

Sara Hillstrom

Senior Director of Category Development, Anheuser-Busch InBev

Sara Hillstrom is the head of Category Development at Anheuser Busch. She is a leading expert in the alcohol and beer industry and provides invaluable insights around how consumers’ needs are shifting and how shoppers are changing. Sara works closely with retailers to highlight... Read More →

Wednesday February 26, 2020 11:45am - 12:45pm PST
Salon F

Workshops

Target Audience Operators, Beer Sponsors

11:45am PST

Making Use Of Secondary Ingredients

Finding additional uses for items already in your pantry is a winning strategy. Join David and Brian as they share and taste you through some ideas and strategies for making use of secondary ingredients whether it’s the secondary spirit or a secondary flavor. TASTING

Speakers

Brian Bell

CMO & VP Marketing & Merchandising, Abuelo’s

Brian Bell is a chain account operations and marketing specialist with over 28 years in the hospitality industry. Since 1999 Brian has been working for Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurants in various roles, from operations, product acquisition, product development, menu design, and marketing... Read More →

David Commer

President, Commer Beverage

David Commer is a chain account specialist with over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Since 2001, Commer Beverage Consulting has provided independent and unbiased beverage services and strategies to numerous clients, including T.G.I. Friday’s, Red Lobster, Cheddar’s... Read More →

Wednesday February 26, 2020 11:45am - 12:45pm PST
Salon H

Workshops, Tasting

Target Audience Operators, Spirit Sponsors

11:45am PST

Refining Your Drinks Program Based On Global and Local Trends (REPEAT)

Speakers

Matthew Crompton

Client Solutions Director, Nielsen CGA

Scott Elliott

Senior Vice President, Nielsen

Wednesday February 26, 2020 11:45am - 12:45pm PST
Ballrooms A-E

Workshops

Target Audience Operators, Spirit Sponsors