Featuring a conference program, two-day exhibit hall and networking opportunities, the show will discuss new and hot trends in the club and bar scene.
The convention kicks off with The Boston Beer Co.’s Jeff Tanner’s keynote speech, “How to Hit the Ground Running,” on March 19. Other featured speakers include Nick Shepherd, chief executive officer of Carlson Restaurants and T.G.I. Friday’s, and Jon Taffer, president of Nightclub & Bar Media Group and co-executive producer and star of Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue.”
Outside of speeches, attendees also can gain knowledge in any of the conference’s super sessions; workshops; back-of-house tours of local bars, nightclubs and bottling companies; and educational tracks. New this year to educational offerings are sessions highlighting the role of social media in nightclub and bar marketing and ways to engage target audiences through this platform. Attendees also can learn more about bar management and bartending; promotion and marketing; operations and management; customer experience and liability; and beer, wine and food through more than 75 conference sessions.
Featured presenters for workshops, educational sessions and super sessions include the following industry leaders: Chris Lenahan, president of excellentbars.com; Chef Brian Duffy, president and consultant for CBD Solutions and chef expert on Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue”; Bob Brown, president of Bob Brown Service Solutions; Shane Young, president of Overtime Entertainment Corp.; Donna Hood Crecca, senior director of Technomic Inc.’s Adult Beverage Group; David Henkes, vice president of Technomic Inc.; and Patrick Henry, president and chief executive officer of Patrick Henry Creative Promotions Inc.
On the show floor, attendees can network with more than 600 exhibitors representing new products in the beer, wine, spirits and non-alcohol categories; bar supplies; foodservice equipment; cleaning and maintenance; financial services; marketing and promotions; and more. Noteworthy exhibitors include Chicago-based MillerCoors, Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., Plano, Texas-based Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Atlanta-based Status Vodka and more.
Attendees also can stop by the Craft Brewers Pavilion to sample popular craft brews, the Emerging Brands Pavilion to find the next trendy handcrafted spirit, the New Product Pavilion to see the latest industry innovations, and the Main Stage to watch competitions and demonstrations. On March 20, the Main Stage will be home to the Shake It Up! competition. Sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Miami, Smart Bar Products, New York, ITV Ice Makers, Valencia, Spain, Pasabahce Innovation Center, Herzelia, Israel, and San Jamar, Elkhorn, Wis., the event gives bartenders and mixologists the opportunity to showcase their skills and present their most creative concoctions to the judges to compete for $25,000 in prizes.
After the close of the conference, attendees can attend Happy Hours and platinum parties all along the Las Vegas Strip. Attendees will be treated to free admission to multiple Las Vegas hotspots, appetizers and cocktails, and entertainment by DJs and celebrity guests.
