Open to All! Vegas’ hottest daytime destination, WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand will host the industry exclusive pool party just before the convention kicks off. To enter the party, show your badge or display your registration email confirmation at the door. Guests who arrive by 2 p.m. will receive complimentary cover and expedited entry. Dress code is swimsuit attire only!
Join Jonathan Pogash, nationally renowned bar consultant and founder/owner of The Cocktail Guru Beverage Consultancy, on an introductory workshop on a bar opening. You’ll learn how to create a well-balanced bar program with liquor and back bar recommendations, a creative signature cocktail menu, classic cocktails, aspects of bar design and equipment recommendations, staff training, and more.
In this session, you’ll learn the ins and outs of:
Determining pricing for cocktails, a seemingly basic process in the bar business, can be far more difficult than anyone would imagine. Sure, your house Aviation spec is bangin’, but what happens if your preferred gin doesn’t come in on today’s liquor order? What if citrus prices skyrocket? What if you work in a market where the ceiling doesn’t allow for double-digit cocktail prices? We’d bet you a bottle of vintage crème de violette that Hugo Ensslin, the first person to publish a recipe for the Aviation AND head bartender at the New York City’s Hotel Wallick, cared just as much about the cost of his cocktails as he did the famous cocktail’s house spec.
All of these issues are challenges that bar managers face daily, but fortunately, as cocktails become a more consistent part of the bar business, their profitability is more open for discussion as well. In this workshop, Bobby Heugel and Terry Williams of Anvil Bar & Refuge will discuss the basics of cocktail cost calculation, factors that can contribute to cost fluctuation, and strategic perspectives for pricing.
The basics of determining cost in a cocktail seem basic, but including the varying labor associated with different types of drinks or straws, beverage napkins and other overlooked elements can often be the difference in substantial profits over the course of a year. Attendees will receive access to the inventory sheets that we have perfected at Anvil Bar & Refuge and a comprehensive explanation of cocktail cost.
Additionally, they will consider basic choices that impact cocktail cost including spirit selection, citrus pricing and sourcing of dry goods. Citrus alone has many variables for consideration – seasonality, yield, etc. – with many strategies for dealing with them – packers cases or buying in futures. Each single factor that goes into the construction of a cocktail has far more variables and options that what would be initially expected.
Finally, this pricing discussion will lead to a broader conversation about menu strategy and pricing. Frequently, these conversations fail to consider the diversity within the global bar market and the varying expectations of guests. This seminar will utilize this global diversity to emphasize lessons about menu pricing that have strategic implications for bar owners. Single cocktail pricing versus pricing each cocktail independently, happy hour pricing, and determining how pricing can impact your perceived niche in a market will all be discussed.
Overall, bar managers will gain more tools to increase the profitability and guests experience in their bars.
In the time it takes to see a movie—learn in Bob’s power packed interactive session how to Build your Hospitality A-Team, The Art of Respectful Phrasing, Turn Complaints into Wows and deliver Dazzling Service and how to engage and softly upsell with the Don’t Ask/Suggest, Guided Tour and By the Way Techniques.
Bob will share how to incorporate the techniques and tactics he uses help such prestigious organizations as Disney, Marriott, Nordstrom and Four Seasons to create your hospitality edge. “You don’t have to be a Ritz-Carlton to give Ritz-Carlton service,” Bob will illustrate.
In Bob Brown’s session you’ll takeaway how to:
Does the mere thought of writing a budget make your head spin and your heart beat with anxiety? You’re not alone. Most independent restaurant/bar owners use their “gut” to budget their restaurants/bars instead of the real numbers. But it’s not enough. Your budget is a guide to success. It points you - and your management team - to profitability. In this special three-hour session, David Scott Peters, restaurant coach and founder of TheRestaurantExpert.com, teaches restaurant/bar owners how to build a budget the right way. In addition, he teaches attendees how to use the budget to be profitable, focusing on the most controllable number in the restaurant/bar. Peters will teach attendees how to put systems in place to not only control this number, but reduce it and make money. As a bonus to attending this session, Peters will demonstrate budgeting with his Budget Creator Software, and everyone who attends will receive a free copy of the software. Attend this session to learn:
If you are an existing bar owner looking to increase your revenue, looking into opening additional locations, or if you’re considering opening a new bar, this workshop will be pivotal to your success. Join Christine and Jerry van Rooy, owners of VANROOY creative group, an international firm specializing in nightclub and bar design. You’ll learn how to create a winning team that will not only help you succeed, but save you money along the way.
In this session we’ll discuss:
This is a very special session created exclusively for the Nightclub & Bar Show by Ron Cates, one of the world’s leading experts on digital marketing. The workshop will cover the core elements of a successful marketing strategy, taking into consideration the budget and time constraints of running a business. Low cost and no cost online marketing tools that are simple and effective will be emphasized, along with strategies to use them together to amplify each other and save time. Advanced marketers will learn new tricks, but absolute beginners will never feel lost. Topics include: email marketing, social media, improving the effectiveness of your website (or who to turn to to do it for you), search engine optimization (getting found on the web), maximizing review sites and much more. This is an entertaining, fun, educational, can’t-miss session that will absolutely, positively, grow your business!
This Security Workshop is being presented in two parts. Part 1 will be completed Online before the 2017 Nightclub & Bar Show and Part 2 will be completed at the show on Monday, March 27 from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Room TBD
This Workshop is a National HOST Security Certification Program and if you’re from California, this is the new mandated California Licensing Training (PSO) for all California In House Security Guards or “Bouncers”. We will be presenting this Certification and Licensing program using our Hybrid Training format that will combine 12-hours of pre-show Online Training and our interactive 5-hour In Person Training at the 2017 Nightclub & Bar Show.
This workshop is an absolute must for all owners, managers and of course, every bar or club security host. This is the most comprehensive security training program in the country and has stood up against courtroom scrutiny, law enforcement inspection and is way above the Hospitality Industry Standard of Care for in-house security guards or “bouncers.” We have taught this program to over 6,500 bar and club employees nationwide and this is the only security training program endorsed by multiple national and international insurance carriers who offer premium discounts for our Certificates of Completion. The topics taught in this comprehensive workshop are:
Attendees simply register for the training by selecting it as an ala carte item when registering for the 2017 Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, purchase a single ticket or multiple tickets for several employees. Once registered you will receive and email notification on how to complete the preliminary Online Training Portion of the Certification.
When the attendee has completed the Online Training Course they will then attend the 2017 Nightclub & Bar Show and attend the In-Person Training Program on Monday, March 27 from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Room TBD.
All attendees who fully complete this Hybrid Training Program will receive their National HOST or the State of California PSO Certificate of Completion.
For additional questions contact Nightclub Security Consultants directly at manny@nightclubsecurity.com or call at 619-261-3338.
What steps are potential customers taking to find a new nightclub or bar? In 2016, some reports show as high as 90% of people are reading reviews before spending money. Yelp is the leading local guide for real word-of-mouth, so it's critical that your bar/nightclub is not only protecting its reputation there, but also optimizing your presence by collecting testimonials so that you can be found before your competition. Join Main Street Hub's Emma Vaughn for "Help with Yelp" and you'll leave with three key takeaways: How to respond to negative reviews, how to optimize your Yelp profile so it's found more often and how to spread MORE word-of-mouth through your happy customers!
Small to medium multi-unit foodservice operators and independent foodservice operators pay on average 10% more than the Top 88 chain foodservice operators. Explore how to equalize that inequity, saving you money and increasing your profits. Topics covered will include selecting your distributor, sourcing and negotiating your product needs, and available resources to build and increase your business profits.
We live in a socially engaged world and your current and future customers are following the newest social trends. You need to follow the trends as well. In 2016, 68.3% of internet users were also social network users. These platforms are just as important as your website. Whether these social users are documenting their adventures through Instagram Story, streaming their night out with Facebook Live, or showing their creativity and character with Snapchat, you need to utilize these platforms regularly and effectively to engage them. But how can your business utilize these trends and stay socially relevant? With guest speakers including Chad Robley, Founder of Mindgruve and Megan Newton, Director of Marketing for RMD Group, this panel will discuss the newest trends in social media and how you can use them to engage more customers.
Roadmap for Revenue will aid guests in gaining the tools they need in order to create an effective and measurable marketing plan that they can use TODAY. It is time to gain the marketing plan you want and the results you deserve with tools to build an effective marketing plan and a realistic daily promotional schedule to execute your weekly measurable marketing plan. Hear examples of team incentives and programs to gain staff involvement within ongoing sales and marketing campaigns.
Join Ryan Ruiz, Corporate Trainer for Tilted Kilt, to understand the importance of building relationships with your guests. Get guest service tips from an industry leader and learn the difference of being an order taker versus a relationship builder in your establishment.
While wine pairings have been hot and beer pairings have very much caught on fire, the focus has shifted to keeping up with the latest demand: cocktail pairings. Walk away with a reinvigorated attitude towards booze and food pairings and an inspired attitude of wanting to create your very own food and cocktail pairings, based on local ingredients you’re your chef’s originality. The possibilities are endless and create a lasting experience for your customers, all while boosting the check average!
From wine on tap to lack of loyalty, join Datassential for the very latest trends in off premise trends in wine among our youngest consumer base. Explore barriers, competitive threats and opportunities for growth.
You know that there is a craft beer craze in this country, but ever wondered how to benefit from it in your bar or restaurant? Learn step by step how to start or increase your craft beer portfolio, how to train your staff to sell craft beer and, most importantly, how to make the highest profit from it possible!
Looking for that “wow” factor to drive guests through your doors? Join design guru Tyler Ducan to see how to be efficient with space planning and how to maximize sales through design. Learn tricks to create impulse buys and increase product sales through effective displays.
The secret to Flora-Bama’s 50+ years of continued success is attributed to keeping it simple and planning promotions that have spread around the world. Learn from the experts how to plan a promotion that could get your bar national coverage, while learning tricks on how to utilize your community to aid in your success. Get tips on making your promotion go the distance by providing world class customer service to your guests.
There are a number of reasons why someone may not be drinking on any given night but that does not mean they cannot still come to your bar. Hospitality in beverage means looking after all guests’ needs and meeting their preferences and whimsies as well as we can. William Grant & Sons mixologist Charlotte Voisey takes a good look at non alcoholic cocktails and the important, profitable role they can play in your beverage program. Charlotte will present the latest and greatest ideas and ingredients being used in “temperance” drinks from the best bars in the world right now!
Explore how tabletop menus accompanied with tabletop ordering and paying will benefit your independent or chain business alike. Understand how digital menus are streamlining the business processes and how your profits can soar when digital menus are integrated with your POS.
About 60% of bartenders are women. Women are also starting businesses at the highest rate in history. Although most bars and spirits businesses are owned by men, women are starting to move from "behind the bar" to become the movers and shakers (and we don't mean just cocktails) in the industry. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities they face, the lessons they've learned in starting their own successful businesses and trends for women in the industry - as both consumers and entrepreneurs.
Danny Meyer sent a shot across the bow of the hospitality industry when he eliminated tipping at his Union Square Hospitality Group. It left many of us wondering if this change signaled the end of the tipped wage across the hospitality industry and, more importantly, in our own operations. Does the last year provide any clues?
In this dynamic and informative session, Professor Brian Warrener of Johnson & Wales University will discuss what has been happening with tipping over the past year, findings from his own extensive and ongoing research on the topic, whether the tipped wage is likely to survive and ultimately what you should do about the whole mess!
Fine tune your beverage operation skills understanding the five core pillars for a successful mixology program. Learn how to increase efficiency, sales and overall guest experience in a high performing environment.
World renown mixologists Francesco Lafranconi and James Starkus of Southern Glazier’s Wine and Spirits will be sharing their expertise in one-of-a-kind first class inspiring settings. The seminar content is about mise-en-place, menu engineering, bar stations design, innovative garnishes along with mixology techniques. All of this to keep you ahead of the game!
Looking for some tips to up the ante on your bar’s culinary aspects? Get insights from a chef cum bar owner/operator and kitchen techniques applied to a bar. Learn about flavor profiling and pairing, organization and structure of set-up (bar 'mise en place'), crossover of cooking techniques into cocktails/beverages and more!
Many bars and restaurants don't brand their business accordingly, much less their social media. Learn how to get a$$e$ in the seats with social media and leverage the ones that are already there with tips on how to build an effective social media presence and brand around your restaurant from creating imagery to the message, times to post, how to post, push and respond. Determine the message your business is trying to convey and quickly compete with franchises by managing campaigns effectively!
With combined backgrounds behind many popular bars, these USBG members understand how difficult it can be to create quality beverages for each customer under a time crunch. However, with adequate preparation and quick thinking, bar staff can create one of a kind beverages (and experiences!) for more than one customer at a time. Learn how to anticipate and plan for busy nights, while getting the biggest bang for your buck with small details like garnishes, names and glassware.
The evolution of SEO is constantly changing as technology and users look for quick information. Discover the importance of how Bars, Nightclubs and Restaurants can benefit from search strategies that incorporate technologies such as beacons, AI, Machine Learning, chatbots, voice search and more. This 45-minute session will educate business owners on search engine optimization, measuring ROI, & how to find the right people to execute your strategy.
Learn ways to create a Magical Guest experience for your Guest from entering your restaurant or Bar through the end of their experience from the best hospitality leader in the industry, Disney. Gain tips and tricks for your staff to make memorable interactions and create cherished friends who will come back to you each and every time.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like operating several bars and restaurants? This expert panel of food and beverage directors and operators know multi-concept management like the back of their hands. Join them to learn how to protect your liquor license, cross-train your staff to work in multiple concepts, design food and beverage menus to include products that multiple venues can use, recruiting techniques, and shifts in guest demographics.
In this session, Reynaldo Velazquez will discuss the wage and hour related issue that is near and dear to nightclubs and bars, and that is tipping. Leave with an understanding of the basics as well as important issues that exist and have recently developed within the Department of Labor.
A spirit focused course guided by NY Mixologist Katie Stipe on the fundamentals & history of American whiskey. Breaking down the technical terminology & variances so you can better build a diverse backbar & help your guests choose the ideal whiskey for what their palate & mood best suits. Experience a comparative tasting from Bourbon, Rye, Tennessee, Blended & micro-distilled whiskeys to open your palate to the range of flavor profiles influenced by grain mash, distillation & ageing.
The class will discuss:
Millennials are…? Can you answer this question? If not, you will need to if you want to build loyal customers in a millennial's world. Millennials currently account for one fourth of the entire population and $200 billion in annual spending power. They are self-reliant and socially engaged, are tech driven and utilize multiple communication channels and devices, are savvy and price sensitive when shopping, and seek authenticity in what they purchase. Although they can be challenging to engage and retain as customers, they can be very loyal to a brand once engaged. So how do we engage millennials and build them into loyal customers? This panel will discuss techniques you can use to build millennials into returning guests, over and over again.
A perfect cocktail is so much more than liquid in a glass. Learn from the nation’s top dedicated spirits bars and gain trade secrets used to keep cocktail menus cutting edge. Discover ways to incorporate detailed garnishes, flavored ices, smoke and more into unique experiences that keep customers coming back. Receive insight on how to innovate behind the bar and enhance a traditional cocktail list and make a large spirits list accessible and interesting to customers.
Snapchat is one of the fastest growing social media networks on the planet. But what is Snapchat? Why is everyone talking about it? Why are our customers using it more and more each day and starting to move attention off of Instagram and Facebook for it? Join Louie La Vella to learn the basics of using Snapchat, how to build a following on Snapchat, and tools you can use to get your guests to engage with your venue in the app.
Deliver information and steps on how to bring more guests into your restaurant or bar. With simple and low cost promotions from New Guest Programs to Tap Takeovers, gain the tools to bring competitive campaigns to your venue. Grab the attention of new customers, and turn them into repeat guests!
Keep up with the ever growing craft brew movement! We’ll tap into the beer list and serve up some ideas to develop a beer themed menu. Understand the importance of food to your business while learning some new ideas to enhance your menu and guest’s experience.
No matter how hard you try, your team will never function as a well-oiled machine so long as they do not understand each other’s responsibilities. Join Chef Brian Duffy as he reveals secrets on training from the outside-in, so that your front-of-house and back-of-house employees operate together seamlessly.
Learn from industry expert Michael Tipps how to get everything you desire from your bar. Explore your concept and brand and learn what to look for in your competitors. Get the BAR perspective of Hospitality 101 by gaining tips on getting the most out of your staff, how to increase guest counts and cocktail program do's and don'ts.
Paul reverse engineers the social marketing blueprint that took one brand from zero to $62.5 billion in only five years. In doing so, he reveals the four social marketing secrets which fueled this brand's global domination and success. Discover the four social marketing secrets needed to succeed in a digital, 2017 world. Understand how to turn your audience intro crazy, raving, fanatical brand ambassadors and how to get insane ROI from your digital marketing.
Learn about properly training employees and owners on policies and procedures, liquor laws, risk management, and proper handling of administrative hearing procedures. Take away tips on minimizing an accusation on the business liquor license, understanding the administrative hearing procedures and how to avoid law violations that may affect your liquor license from A to Z!
Industry veteran Wyatt Magnum, President of The Magnum Music Group, will share his many years of experience curating music programs for some of the biggest names in the business. Unlock hidden revenue potential by improving your playlist through his carefully crafted and scientific methods. Identify customer music goals, understand the difference in various music content providers and learn how to create dayparted music programs.
The millennial cohort has left their mark upon the on-premise landscape, and continues to be a driving force for change across the adult beverage industry. However, as many millennials have transitioned into the next life stage (80% of births in the U.S. last year were to millennial parents!) it is time to address the arrival of Gen Z. A keen understanding of your next wave of consumers will be necessary to overcome today’s challenging environment and grow your business. Learn essential insights that will help you connect with Gen Z and begin building loyalty with this important consumer group.
What separates a regular bar from a sports bar? Are you trying too hard to become your area’s go-to for all the hottest sporting events? Join this panel of experts for tips on how to market your venue to sports gurus including your selection of food menu items, television channel diversity, inclusive promotions and more!
Chef Brian Duffy is back for another segment of Updating Your Outdated Menu: 2017 Edition! If you’re still serving frozen chicken tenders smothered in any old buffalo sauce, then check out this information-packed session to learn the tricks that can change your bar menu from boring to profitable. Learn how to boost the sales within your bar to create a higher revenue stream and a better food cost. Amp up that old menu and become not only a destination for drinks, but food, too!
Learn how your existing data can be leveraged, at no cost, to transform your business, gain advantages over your competitors, grow your profits and significantly increase efficiency and productivity throughout your business.
This session will focus on how bars and nightclubs can better use their marketing and advertising dollars to get the biggest bang for their buck. It will include live examples and best practices to understand how to use the right channels to bring in the right guests and increase ROI. Uncover top marketing strategies and channels and learn how to implement these topics into your everyday work environment.
Jeff Cioletti, author of the Year of Drinking Adventurously and editor at large of Beverage World Magazine, will talk about new and emerging spirits and fermented beverages from every corner of the globe that are finding their way into American bars. Learn what's hot around the world, stay ahead of the emerging beverage alcohol trends in the states and understand how to position international beverage alcohol styles for today's consumers.
Fake IDs are rampant and chances are underage drinking is happening at your establishment - jeopardizing themselves, your employees, and your business. Learn the latest techniques from the experts at Nightclub Security Consultants to identify fake IDs and keep underage drinking at bay. Also, find out if you can legally confiscate fake IDs to keep them out of the hands of underage drinkers.
The number of destination bars is on the decline. This is due to a number of economic, cultural and societal changes, including the digitalization of socialization and entertainment and a growing home-tainment trend. A nascent trend of drink-eat-play venues has basically stayed in the shadows until recently. These new hybrid destinations are now seeing rapid growth with different forms of entertainment attractions, games and food being added to bars to increase their appeal and profitability. Come away with an understanding of both the different entertainment options to grow a bar business as well as the costs and economics associated with adding entertainment.
Want to host a beer dinner but don't know where to start? This seminar will touch on “why beer?”, “what is craft beer” and offer tips and ideas to host your first beer dinner as well as show examples of past dinner menus.
FACT: We all hate inventory…but why do we do it? No really, why do we do it!? Nik Kundra & Julian Miller, industry mavericks and tech innovators, dive into the reasons why inventory often gets a bad rap, how the restrictions of POS systems and other technologies exacerbate this reputation, and why we all tend to look at beverage cost in the wrong light.
Nik & Julian will show you how asking the right questions leads to uncovering what's really trending in your bar. They'll also share secrets as to how modern tools of the trade can be used to actually empower your employees instead of just policing them.
Here’s an opportunity to be let in on some of the best hacks for managing your bar and see how you can think differently about engineering your business for success.
It’s always been tough to find good help. But now food & beverage owners and operators are complaining about how tough it can be to find any help! Working in a bar or restaurant is tough – the hours suck and so can the customers. The pay isn’t that good. Benefits are nonexistent. Millennials are lazy and the flow of immigrants, both legal and illegal, has slowed significantly. Minimum wage might go up to $15.00. These circumstances can make hiring seem like an impossible task! Relax…It’s not and we’re here to help.
Professionals associated with the School of Hospitality at Johnson & Wales University are making their mark in a variety of positions and segments in our industry. We’ve assembled four experts whose unique positions and diversity of experience will provide a variety of strategies and approaches to hiring the best now and going forward. They represent small, medium and large operations hiring locally, regionally and nationally for positions at the bar, and in the dining room and kitchen.
Get tips on how to choose a system that is right for your venue, whether you own a dive bar or an expansive nightclub. Learn why you should automate your system and all about the future of automation. Explore how to simplify your system depending on your venue, all while bringing your venue to life with lighting and video!
As a follow up to the 2016 presentation “Cheeks in Seats”, join Andrew Corbett as he returns and brings a new set of marketing ideas that will help you stay 10 steps ahead of your competition. Get educated on the benefits of finding new ways to get your customers attention. Review how you can make your marketing programs more effective and how to properly execute a promotional campaign with a simple 5-step program.
Strategize a way to build a successful wine program in your restaurant, bar or nightclub by turning inventory and revenue. Discuss how to add additional revenue streams, how to increase the guest check average and how to create a better dining, drinking and overall entertainment experience for your patrons.
In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control recommended that women of childbearing age refrain from alcohol (unless they’re on birth control). The CDC also says women shouldn’t have more than one drink per day. The National Transportation Safety Board wants to lower the legal limit to .05 or lower, which means many women could be arrested for having just one drink if they choose to drive. And a recent global study of drinking habits, which showed increased consumption among women, spawned hundreds of concerned headlines. Sarah Longwell of the American Beverage Institute will discuss this growing trend of alarmist, female-focused recommendations coming from the public health community and how the hospitality industry can galvanize women to combat anti-alcohol activists.
Lead by Cory Johnson, Vice President of Food and Beverage, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, attendees will get an exclusive back of house tour of this massive operations unit! Everything from the Employee Entrance, Warehouse, Pool Operations, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Mr. Chow, Montecristo Cigar Bar, Race & Sports Book and more!
Caesars Palace is the world’s best-known resort-casino within an 85-acre destination featuring: 3,340 hotel guest rooms and suites, 24 diverse restaurants and cafes, 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods pools and gardens, the 50,000 square foot Qua Baths & Spa and 240,000 square feet of premium meeting and convention space.
Space is limited! Transportation is provided and buses depart from the Las Vegas Convention Center 15 minutes prior to start time.
Step into JEWEL and find yourself apart from any world you’ve ever known. The heart of JEWEL is a rhythmically shining dance floor, complemented by ribbons of LED lighting overhead. Nightscapes adorn the wall behind the DJ, and the upper tier beckons with an elevated view of the city’s most sought-after scene.
Led by Orlando Oquendo, Executive Director Hakkasan Nightlife Operations, this half day intensive educational experience will provide you invaluable information and direct answers from insiders that manage the day to day operations including: lighting and sound demo, overall operations and stats, SOS & floor operations, beverage & bar operations and so much more.
Space is limited! Transportation is provided and buses depart from the Las Vegas Convention Center 15 minutes prior to start time.
Bar Hacks 2017 is an information-packed session designed to take your bar’s operations to the next level! Learn quick and effective solutions that you can implement in your bar right away. Top hacks will be shared for overall operations, market research, customer experiences, and controlling costs. Your bar’s success starts with you, and Bar Hacks will give you the tools you need to implement the changes you want to see, today!
Ever wonder how to increase your following on Instagram? Not sure when the best time of day is to post a picture? Looking for helpful hints on improving your bar’s content online? Join Instagram experts to learn tips on how to take your Instagram account from boring to brilliant!
Join Andrew Chun of Sidecar Hospitality to hone your focus on maximizing your startup budget. Discuss the importance of a thoughtful design and how design impacts everything from marketing to operations. Learn to differentiate between lasting designs versus trends and leave with an understanding of maximizing buildout budgets.
Millennials make up nearly one-fourth of the total population, making them the most lucrative market. But what once worked to drive customers through your doors have proven to be ineffective to this generation. Learn what promotions do connect with millennials, what their expectations are in the nightclub & bar industry, and how you can immediately start implementing the marketing methods discussed in the session.
When it comes to selling alcohol, establishments should be aware of two trends that can affect their bottom line. With a significant increase in the number of legal actions being taken against owners and operators, this session will provide pertinent information on alcohol service training that you can’t miss! Learn about effective measures that establishments can take to prevent underage sales, intoxication and drunk driving, as well as how to develop a sound alcohol sales policy for your cashiers.
From wine on tap, robots, and taboo ingredient based cocktails, join Datassential for the very latest trends in off premise adult beverages driven by our changing consumer. You will leave this session with a framework for how to strategically think about trends and know when to adopt them for success along with a peek into the hot flavors to watch.
We’ve all heard the saying, “It's all about who you know” and in today’s world it really does apply! That’s why the NEW Nightclub & Bar The Pitch Tank was formed to connect bar & nightlife suppliers with top executives of the industry. This is a can’t miss opportunity for attendees to see what actually happens behind closed doors in the corporate world. Watch the drama unfold during live product pitches in front of a board of Sharks!
Ray Villaman will share the trade secrets of nationally ranked concepts that have made the Top 50 list. Come learn how and why these concepts are able to execute at a higher level.
Join Larry McGinn as he moderates a panel of experts on the flourishing craft beer segment, purchasing challenges, staff training and education and engaging guests with scientific yet simple craft beer menus. Discover how guests view, manage through and want to see craft beer lists. Learn about BeerQuest, a staff education and sales training tool, and how to find its implication on craft beer sales and profits through beta tests.
This session teaches you three ways to motivate employees to be an extension of the brand itself. It will give real techniques on how to inspire employees to feel like they have a stake in the success of the business. Gain strategies that will create staff loyalty and learn five steps to building a successful team that works together!
As the bar industry continues to evolve, the business models that operate bars need to as well. From staffing issues to compensation plans, narrowing the gap between owners and staff, and maintaining profitability with smaller margins, join Trevor Frye, Wash Line LLC, as he discuss the business models around his bars. Whether you’re in the process of building your business plan or looking to overhaul your current one, this round table discussion will talk about the process for laying the foundation of improving bar business models for the better.
Join as Kenneth Knief of Pelican Restaurants explains why interfering with staff on the micro-level and not letting them, or empowering them, to do their jobs can be detrimental to an effective operation. Other areas addressed will be the pitfalls of micromanagement, why “Leading by Example” really isn’t, how “Hands on Management” can be harmful to operations, the importance of delegation, why it’s okay to hire subordinates that know more than you and knowing when to outsource.
The Hispanic population in America is growing 5 times faster than any other. With over half of their beverage budget going to beer and dining out expenditures reaching 44% since 2009, Hispanics are clearly a valuable target market for our industry. Mauricio Reyes of Constellation Brands shares the statistical and cultural information operators need to capture this demographic by pulling their emotional levers to create a loyal customer base.
FACT: We all hate inventory…but why do we do it? No really, why do we do it!? Nik Kundra & Julian Miller, industry mavericks and tech innovators , dive into the reasons why inventory often gets a bad rap, how the restrictions of POS systems and other technologies exacerbate this reputation, and why we all tend to look at beverage cost in the wrong light.
Nik & Julian will show you how asking the right questions leads to uncovering what's really trending in your bar. They'll also share secrets as to how modern tools of the trade can be used to actually empower your employees instead of just policing them.
Here’s an opportunity to be let in on some of the best hacks for managing your bar and see how you can think differently about engineering your business for success.
On September 26th, 2015, Erick Castro and his crew drove over 4,600 miles across the western USA and hung out with bartenders everywhere they went. Along the way, they documented the craft cocktail scene in places that are too often overlooked. They went to these places to not only shine a spotlight on the bartenders there, but also to talk them about their thoughts & their careers behind the bar.
The results of these travels have been compiled into a documentary titled, Bartender at Large. They did this all without the help of any sponsors, solely to ensure that they maintained full creative control and did not have to compromise the final product.
They hit 11 cities in 5 weeks, with countless bars, breweries, and distilleries thrown into the mix.
Enjoy fresh popped popcorn and samples of Lot 40 cocktails!
Don't miss this special NCB feature of Bartender at Large.
Learn how techniques and ingredients normally found in the kitchen can apply to mixology. Jeremy will be talking about his philosophy on this topic as well as how to apply it to venues looking to bring the best cocktails to their menu with style and great service. Jeremy will create 5 terrific cocktails each employing the hottest techniques from both the bar and the kitchen while also talking about amazing new ingredients. Not only will he be talking about some of his most successful cocktails that he has created for the hottest venues in Canada, but he will also be talking about how to make sure that these recipes don’t take an hour to make; rather showing employees the techniques on how to make these recipes without putting yourself in the weeds when things get busy.
Mike Ginley, from Next Level Marketing, has been conducting an annual on-premise consumer trends study for the past 10 years and he will be sharing the latest 2017 trends with the NC&B attendees this year.
The Annual On-premise Consumer Trend Study will be packed with actionable beer, wine and spirit cocktail trends to help build better beverage programs. The study will be fielded just prior to the NC&B Show to ensure it includes fresh data and many of the questions are supplied by the country’s leading on-premise operators.
The study’s includes a national sample of 1,000 on-premise beverage alcohol consumers making the results highly actionable to the conference participants across beer, wine, spirit cocktail and alcohol free beverages.
With so many craft breweries, and more opening each year, the variety of craft beer options behind the bar is immense and can be intimidating. Beer buyers need a way to navigate the sea of options and maximize profits while maintaining the craft mentality. Jacob Halls will expose how to maximize profits from proper tap handle rotation and brand integration as well as how to determine what is selling better by quality, price, locality, brand and style. Gain tips on utilizing a brand to sell another, turning one sale into two or return visits!
The Perfect Shift is Possible, but it is not going to happen by accident. Tom Frank provides actionable solutions on the important topic of culture and the role it plays in providing your managers the values, beliefs, & aspirations to achieve a Perfect Shift.
Taking your nightclub or bar to the next level can be tough, but serial entrepreneur and best-selling author Kris Jones will offer proven tips to not only grow your business, but maximize profits and help you find your passion along the way. Jones argues that the key to success in business is to find out what works and then replicate and scale it. In drawing parallels between business and life Jones will be sure to awaken your giant within.
Wynn and Encore boast the most celebrated nightlife and daylife experiences in Las Vegas. Their unique clubs feature the hottest entertainment, cutting edge technology and the most luxurious spaces that have put their resort on the map as the ultimate party destination. World-renowned performers, celebrities and party-goers alike clamor to be part of the action at XS, Surrender and Encore Beach Club. Encore Players Lounge combines the excitement of gaming with a nightlife vibe like only Wynn and Encore can provide. Intrigue, the newest nightclub at Wynn, adds an air of mystery, seduction and the unexpected to your many choices for how to make the most of your night.
Tour to include:
Increasing traffic into your operation is a challenge for all operators in today’s tough environment, but with the right systems and strategies, you can start building sales. Darren Denington has successfully helped restaurants across the country add to their sales with the right strategies. Learn how to increase existing sales with a well-trained and focused team. He will share his systems to properly build a guest database, capture your guests’ interest and maximize your marketing dollars.
Join Ryan Esko, CEO of the east coast’s infamous Smokey Bones chain, as he speaks about the levers to pull to take a good business to a great business by making more money. In this session, he will uncover examples of how businesses implement certain initiatives to drive more to the bottom line with consumer marketing, labor costs, food costs, pricing and more.
The key to this presentation will be the investments suppliers have made to improve the skill-sets and image of bartending over the past 15 years. The increased quality demands (and knowledge) of consumers will also be discussed as an example of how demand drives improvements. These themes will be highlighted in a trended, visual history of 'premiumization' in drinks and cocktails; which could not have occurred without the most important front-line player: the bartender. Takeaways will include what being an excellent bartender means, how training and education from suppliers will continue to advance careers in bartending and the importance of delivering the perfect experience, not just a drink.
The restaurant and bar business is like show business. To be successful, your servers and bartenders need to use their props! Customers buy more when salespeople impact several senses while describing their products. When guests have something appealing to look at as a drink item is described, odds are they’ll buy it. In this workshop from Service That Sells!, owner Jeff Kahler will provide tried and true training methods operators can use to increase check averages.
Many restaurant, bar and business owners suffer from a common, but relatively unknown, condition called “commonsense-it-is.” Join as David Scott Peters diagnoses restaurant owners with “commonsense-it-is” when they think their managers should just know how to do things because it’s “common sense.” But the definition of common sense clearly states it’s a shared understanding based on experience. But most times, managers don’t share the owner’s experiences and don’t possess their same core values. They will not automatically do things the way a restaurant/bar owner wants. But the good news is there is a way to teach them. Attend this session to learn:
Learn how to develop the true recipe costs (ingredients, labor and overhead) of your menu items and apply predictive costing methods to enhance your menu engineering process. Understand and apply total cost techniques to your recipes and menu items while determining, with accuracy, the financial impact of the decisions you are making for a new menu. Analyze and understand how efficient your operation is performing.
With all the advances in our country with respect to civil rights and gay rights, bars are becoming less and less segregated. This seminar will discuss how to tap into the changing market and how to expand your clientele. Takeaways include how to expand your niche base, how to create entertaining spaces and activities for a more inclusive audience and how the LGBTQ community is visiting more straight bars and how to tap into that market.
Marketing to Millennials does not have to feel like an abstract concept. In fact, brand stories are the emotional glue that connects spirits brands to Millennial consumers because compelling narratives appeal to Millennials’ desire to be “in the know” and also motivate them to share their discoveries. Join JP Schuerman of MWWPR to explore why it’s critical that spirits brands be wired into the emotional triggers and trust factors that drive Millennials to trial — and then inspire them to become advocates for their labels.
So, you want your bar to be a big star. But where do you start? How do you get the word out? And how do you measure your success? Bread & Butter's Public Relations and Bytes team details strategic timelines for seamlessly blending PR and digital initiatives to ensure that your establishment is the talk of the town, in a good way. Meredith Vachon, President and Samantha Luthra, Digital Account Director, will leave you with PR initiatives, social media planning and measurement tools, and more.
Take this step-by-step in-depth tour into how three REAL failing operations were able to go from serious financial loss to profitability in less than one year and how one successful restaurant company doubled its profitability in less than a year! Learn how to utilize the P&L as the secret weapon to success, get tips on how to give managers the direction and tools to succeed and understand how to be your own best consultant!
To understand how investing in employees creates the ultimate hospitality experience, leads to more profits and will ultimately save our industry, this session is a can’t-miss! Learn how to do profit sharing, how to engage staff for more honesty and even tricks on incorporating new technology in your venue.
Wynn and Encore boast the most celebrated nightlife and daylife experiences in Las Vegas. Their unique clubs feature the hottest entertainment, cutting edge technology and the most luxurious spaces that have put their resort on the map as the ultimate party destination. World-renowned performers, celebrities and party-goers alike clamor to be part of the action at XS, Surrender and Encore Beach Club. Encore Players Lounge combines the excitement of gaming with a nightlife vibe like only Wynn and Encore can provide. Intrigue, the newest nightclub at Wynn, adds an air of mystery, seduction and the unexpected to your many choices for how to make the most of your night.
Tour to include:
Waitressville Uniforms will be serving up style! Be the first to see the newest styles for breastaurants, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and promo girls. You won’t want to miss it!
Main Stage Lighting Provided by ADJ
