By Paul Schlienz

www.hospitalitysummit.org 

It’s spring and it’s time for Washington Hospitality Summits!

So far, in 2018, we’ve had two Hospitality Summits – in Bellevue and Seattle. Next on the calendar are Hospitality Summits in Bellingham (May 8) and Tacoma (May 14).

Hoteliers, restaurateurs and hospitality industry suppliers won’t want to miss these great events.

You’ll receive updates on local government affairs issues, the state of the industry and new trends in hospitality in addition to many opportunities to build relationships with local suppliers/vendors. Visit the landing pages for each summit by starting at www.hospitalitysummit.org.

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Among the highlights is a breakout session on third party delivery, moderated by the Washington Hospitality Association’s Andy Cook. Panelists have included David Yusen of Heavy Restaurant Group; Deba Wegner of Recipe for Success;  Rich Fox, owner of Rhein Haus, Macleod’s Scottish Pub, and Poquitos, and the current president of the Seattle Restaurant Alliance; Carolyn Kriss, general manager of Caviar, Square; and David Jones of Blazing Onion.

Networking Happy Hour, sponsored by Bargeen Ellingson, features giveaways for attendees throughout the day, with a grand prize drawing during happy hour. And of course, it provides great opportunities to network and make valuable contacts.

“I got three substantial leads this morning,” said Jonathan Smith of Fastrack OnBoard, at the Seattle Hospitlity Summit.

A goal of our local summits is to deliver solutions for Washington Hospitality Association members all in one place at one time. We are expressing this value by bringing hospitality businesses together with local vendors in their area and asking them to collaborate on solutions that find the right answer at the right time, for whatever issue is at hand. Our first goal is to deliver valuable solutions for the issues you and your business face each day.

The summits will also provide ideas that help operators understand how to deliver great local, personal experiences for their guests. An example of this is Mark Freeman, senior services manager at Microsoft Global Dining; a keynote speaker at the summits. By bringing leaders in the industry to the summits to share ideas, attendees will have a chance to hear how other operators have been able to focus directly on their guest’s experience and how to continuously strive to improve it.

Hospitality businesses help the communities in which we live to thrive. Hospitality connects communities like no other industry. The local summits are a way for hospitality professionals to connect, share ideas, get to know each other, and create a strong web of community connection right in the region of the state where they live. This is one of the tremendous values of the summits. The summits are where hospitality minds meet, discuss and identify ideas that move the industry forward.

Don’t miss out these great opportunities for hospitality professionals. Register now for the Bellingham Hospitality Summit and the Tacoma Hospitality Summit. Attendee registration for $35 includes the Happy Hour Reception with drinks and appetizers, coffee and snacks throughout the day, free or discounted parking, networking with more than 150 attendees and a trade show with more than 40 exhibitors and sponsors.

www.hospitalitysummit.org

The hospitality summits are providing value to attendees and vendors in several key areas.

• The first goal of our local summits is to deliver local solutions for our members all in one place at one time. We are expressing this value by bringing hospitality businesses together with local vendors in their area and asking them to collaborate on solutions that find the right answer at the right time, for whatever issue is at hand. Our first goal is to deliver valuable solutions for the issues you and your business face each day.

• A great example would be solutions to local plastic materials bans. A dedicated team will be at the Seattle Summit, to help point operators move towards solutions. Another example is the raft of issues that has arrived with third party delivery companies (think UberEats).  At all the local summits we will have a panel discussing best practices and ways not to be taken advantage of by this new model. Our goal is to present ways to leverage third party services, and then capitalize on those partnerships.

• The summits will also provide several ideas that help operators understand how to deliver great local, personal experiences for their guests. An example of this will be Mark Freeman, Sr. Services Manager, Microsoft Global Dining; a keynote speaker at the summits. By bringing leaders in the industry to the summits to share ideas, attendees will have a chance to hear how other operators have been able to focus directly on their guest’s experience and how to continuously strive to improve it.

• We understand, as operators, that our organizations help our communities thrive. Hospitality connects communities like no other industry. The local summits are a way for hospitality professionals to connect, share ideas, get to know each other and create a strong web of community connection right in the region of the state where they live. This is one of the tremendous values of the summits. The summits are where hospitality minds meet, discuss and identify ideas that move the industry forward.

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