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Agenda

Agenda

03.22-23.2026

Time and Participants are subject to change

Day 1: March 22, 2026

8 - 9am

Breakfast and Registration

9 - 9:15am

Opening Remarks‍ ‍

9:15 - 10am

The Emerging Markets: Operating Outside Major Cities

Moderator: Tim Carman
Panelists: Callan Buckles, Johnny Curiel, Kyle Knall, and Karyn Tomlinson 

10:15 - 11am

Tech Time

Moderator: Kristen Hawley
Panelists: Kelly MacPherson, Junaid Shams, and Wesley Sohn 

11:15 - 12pm

A Conversation with the Critics

Moderator: Jamila Robinson
Panelists: Bill Addison, Raphael Brion, Joshua David Stein, Lyndsay Green, and Elazar Sontag

Day 2: March 23, 2026

8 - 9:15am

Breakfast and Registration

9 - 9:15am

Opening Remarks

9:20 - 10am

The Modern Day Bakery

Moderator: Lisa Marie Donovan
Panelists: Mariela Camacho, Kelly Jacques, Saif Manna, and Ellen Ramos

10:20 - 11am

Beverage Programs: What Hits the Mark in 2026

Moderator: Brett Martin
Panelists: Lou Bernard, Chompon “Boong” Boonnak, Colleen Hughes, and Kristine Nguyen

11:20 - 12:20pm

Next Generation Chefs

Moderator: Mel Hansche
Panelists: Damarr Brown, India Doris, Aretah Ettarh, EJ Lagasse, Phila Lorn, and Serigne Mbaye

12:20 - 1:20pm

Lunch

1:20 - 2pm

Trailblazer Talk

Moderator: Jeff Gordinier
Panelist: Martin Yan

2:20 - 3pm

Leveraging Your Brand: Partnership Development: 

Moderator: Stephanie Wu
Panelists: Hillary Dixler Canavan, Aaron Ginsberg, David Helbraun, and Gail Simmons

3:20 - 4:20pm

Hot Topics

Moderator: Abena Anim-Somuah
Panelists: Brett Anderson, Helen Rosner, Tom Sietsema, Yia Vang, and Erick Williams

Dessert Reception

3:45 - 4pm