Hospitality & Restaurant Facilities Summit 2023

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, Braselton, GA
April 23, 2023 - April 25, 2023

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Creating Purposeful & Unique Experiences

The hospitality industry has completely transformed. Demanding consumers want unique and purposeful experiences. We see brands test the boundaries and create activated spaces that maximize engagement. Through design, brands can connect with consumers using emotional triggers, driving revenue. Additionally, innovations that provide consumers with a convenient experience are increasing with automation and robotics.

The Hospitality & Restaurant Facilities Summit is an invitation-only, executive-level summit that gathers senior leaders from the largest hospitality brands and restaurant chains nationwide. Heads of Development, Design, Construction, and Architecture have a chance to delve into discussions cultivating innovations in their projects. This program provides a forum to explore how brands redefine their facilities with creative and innovative concepts and services, focusing on a fast-paced experience in a demanding society.

Want to participate?

The Summit Experience

Current as of April 13, 2023

2:00 pm

Registration

3:00 pm

Wine Tasting & Food Pairing

6:00 pm

Cocktail Reception

7:05 pm

Satisfying Customers’ Needs: The Rise of the Luxury All Inclusive

Presented by

Federico Moreno-Nickerson, Vice President of Development LatAm Inclusive Collection,
Hyatt, Apple Leisure Group / AMR Collection

7:50 pm

Networking Dinner

7:15 am

Breakfast & Itinerary Pick-up

8:00 am

The Pillars of Design Experience: What Makes a Meaningful Stay

Presented by

Siobhan Barry, Principal & Design Director, Gensler

8:50 am

One on One Meetings

10:25 am

Restaurant: Modernization of Food & Beverage within Airports: Ghost Kitchens

Presented by

Jason Johnson, Founder & President, H.U.B.B. Kitchens

Hospitality: Inspiration & Reality

Presented by

Ghassan J. Sader, President & CEO, Sader Hospitality

11:10 am

One on One Meetings

12:40 pm

Luncheon

1:45 pm

Restaurant: Dutch Bros’ Race from 275 to 800 in 5 Years

Presented by

Aaron Harris, Senior Vice President of Development, Dutch Bros Coffee

Hospitality: The Economy Hotel Concept: Sexy Balance Sheet vs. Sexy Asset

Presented by

Ali Jamal, Chief Executive Officer, Stablegold Hospitality

2:30 pm

Restaurant: A Revolutionary Path to Energy Efficiency for the Restaurant Industry

Presented by

Matthew Nemerson, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Budderfly

Robert Simons, Chief Sales Officer, Budderfly

Hospitality: Fireside Chat

Jeff Koch, Senior Vice President, Director of Hospitality Studio, LK Architecture

Anthony Papamichael, Business Development Manager – Pro System Solutions, Bose Professional

3:05 pm

One on One Meetings

4:40 pm

Restaurant: Designed Hospitality

Presented by

Peter Newlin, Chief Experience Officer, Birdcall; Chief Visionary Officer, Gastamo Group

Hospitality: Unique Dining Experiences Nishant Chaudhary, Director of Operations, Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

Presented by

Nishant Chaudhary, Director of Operations, Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

5:15 pm

Happy Hour / Networking

7:00 pm

Networking Dinner

7:30 am

Breakfast

8:00 am

Restaurant: Social Media: Shifting Traditional Marketing Avenues to the Millennial and Younger Generations

Presented by

Dana Hathaitham, Vice President of Business Development, Ghost Kitchen Brands

Hospitality: What Does It Mean to Provide a Responsible Stay?

Presented by

Kiersten Pearce, Senior Vice President, Executive & Strategic Initiatives, American Hotel & Lodging Association

8:50 am

One on One Meetings

9:55 am

The Wonder Factor

Presented by

CarloMaria Ciampoli, AIA, LEED, Studio Director | Experience Design RIOS

Larry Weeks, Studio Director | Experience Design, RIOS

10:45 am

Panel: Future Trends in Design and Development

Moderator

Gurinder Kehr, Director of Construction, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Panelists

Jessica Aleman, Senior Director of Design and Construction, Benihana | RA Sushi

Michelle Jensen Session, Co-Founder & Chief Business Development Officer, Aquarius Hospitality Solutions

Ron Wichowski, Vice President of Operations, Dimension Hospitality

11:30 am

Closing Luncheon

12:30 pm

Close of Program

4star
Chateau Elan Winery & Resort
Braselton, GA


100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton, GA 30517



The Hospitality & Restaurant Facilities Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only forum. We focus on engaging content, high-level networking and pre-scheduled business meetings between qualified facility executives and vendors. All attendees are qualified based on their job function, responsibility, and budgeting authority. You’re guaranteed to network and share ideas with an exclusive group.

If you’re interested in attending or sponsoring the Hospitality & Restaurant Facilities Summit, contact us at summits@opalgroup.net

Hospitality Topics
Business / Pleasure Travelers & Hotel Work Spaces • Holistic Design, Health & Well-Being Spaces • Less is More: Experience Economy & Essentialism • It’s All About Energy: Production, Management / Use, Conservation • Construction vs. Renovation / Reconversion • Exploit Technology: Smart Buildings Getting Smarter • Industry Evolution: Niche Markets • Building for a New Generation of Travelers • Open & Multipurpose Spaces, Take Inside-Out • The New Minimalism • Outdoor Spaces + Natural Air

 

Restaurant Topics
Tech-driven Experiences • Drive Thru & Curb Side Pick-up • Restaurant Layout Shift to the New Era • Having a “Smart” Front of House • Kitchen Automation • Omnichannel Experience • Pop-up Restaurants • Evolution of Ghost Kitchens: Customer Pick-up & Delivery • Green Kitchens & Environmental Concerns • Self-Serve & Grab-and-Go • Immersive & Unique Guest Experiences • Permanent “Move Outside” • Safety & Sanitization

  • Prescheduled One-to-One Meetings:
    Each participating solution provider and attendees will have pre-summit access to our matching software that allows you to completely customize your meeting agenda. The password protected website provides the information needed to make your selections on who you want to meet with.

  • Exceptional Networking Opportunities:
    We strive to maximize your face-to-face time by providing a multitude of avenues to engage the senior executives in attendance. The agenda incorporates cocktail receptions, networking lunches and a specially selected offsite dinner at a nearby venue. Leverage the meeting’s relaxed atmosphere and after hours networking activities to build strong personal relationships with current and future clients.

    Nice format, nice flow, full schedule. Vice President Construction & Facilities

    Potbelly

    Good networking, good speakers. It provided time away to reflect on strategy. Head of Architecture

    Monical Pizza

    Great content and one-on-one meetings were very informative. Facilities Director

    Restaurants Unlimited, Inc.

    Great speakers. I enjoyed the dinners and social gatherings. Director of Development

    Famous Brands Intl.

    Great group, and I look forward to next year. Your entire team was great as well. Vice President of Development

    Johnny Rockets

    I was very impressed with the format; it was a pleasant surprise with the one-on-one meetings. President/CEO

    Demos Brands