With so many issues on the table facing our members and the communities they serve, we are looking forward to our annual State of the Industry conference next week. On Tuesday, February 27th, from 2pm to 7pm at NYIT Auditorium on Broadway, we’re bringing the industry together for important discussions about the hottest trends and issues impacting the New York City hospitality industry in 2018.
It never ceases to amaze me just how many issues there are to challenge our members as they try to stay focused on maximizing the dining experiences of their guests. At the 2018 State of the Industry event, we’ll be talking about the political environment for the restaurant industry, current and proposed laws, and what the industry can do to effectively advocate for sensible reform and representation.
There will also be in-depth conversations about how the industry is addressing and stopping harassment, developing prevention policies and changing culture to eradicate unacceptable sexual behavior.
Another panel will talk about how to survive in today’s unforgiving and competitive restaurant market. We’ll also have a special presentation based on a report about how the next wave of automation and technology can change the restaurant industry.
I also want to share a little background on how our Alliance team created this year’s agenda. It is our duty and frankly fascinating to have our finger on the pulse of the hospitality industry. We regularly speak with our members and our Board of Directors about the issues that impact their businesses. Since we represent the industry in the halls of government and the media, we’re also in the know about the laws and trends our members care about, and those on the horizon. So after much discussion and deliberation we select topics we believe are the most relevant and will draw a crowd.
We are thrilled with the amazing lineup of panelists. They represent a cross section from restaurant operators to government affairs and legal experts. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear the insights of some of the best and the brightest including Leslie Ferrier, Vice President of Human Resources at Momofuku. Carolyn Richmond will be talking about employee relations and harassment; Rob Bookman of Pesetsky & Bookman and Jamie Van Bramer of Yoswein NY will discuss The Alliance’s government affairs initiatives.
What we have also tried to do is to build a line-up of speakers that actually live and breathe the topics the attendees care about. Operators including Tren’ness Woods-Black of Sylvia’s Restaurant, Magnolia Bakery’s Bobbie Lloyd and John Rigos of Aurify Brands will offer attendees insights into what leading operators are doing within their businesses to be successful in today’s marketplace.
The program will also feature a session on: The City That Never Sleeps. The city’s new Office of Nightlife and Night Mayor will serve as the intermediary between city agencies, residents and the nightlife industry. Nightlife mavens discuss how this office will promote an economically and culturally vibrant nightlife industry.
Our goal is to provide real talk from real experts. Most importantly, the program allows attendees to be a part of the conversations they care about.
This year’s State of the Industry event represents the vision that we have had since we began in 2012. Our goal continues to foster the growth and vitality of the hospitality industry on behalf of our restaurants, bars, taverns, nightclubs, lounges and hospitality member establishments in New York City.
We hope that you can join us. You can learn more about the conference and get tickets at www.theNYCalliance.org.
