Whether you are new to the industry or a vet, our educational 3-day conference program is designed to take your career and business to a higher level of success. Learn from the best in the NEW Social Media Track.

Tuesday, March 19

10:00 AM – 10:50 AM - Room N109
Expectations of Connected Consumers 
David Dronkers • Founder • Dronkers Beverage & Social Media Solutions

Are you curious as to what consumers value in social media channels and where they engage? Then you’re in luck as Dave Dronkers will reveal how to play an active role in online conversations that will increase your brand popularity, shareability and customer recommendations.

2:10 PM – 3:00 PM - Room N101
Social Media 201: Beyond Engagement: Turn Social Media Into Profit
Boris Bugarski • CEO & President • ShoutAmp, Inc

You have heard all the Facebook and Twitter strategies over the years, from customer services, to engagement, to “joining the conversation.” Now, it’s time to take it to the next level with the top tips on how to come full-circle with your social media. Learn how to optimize the big channels of social media to drive awareness, viral campaigns, and traffic into your bars. Find out what 90% of social media marketers are not doing and how you can capitalize on a few easy tips to

3:10 PM – 4:00 PM - Room N101
Helping the Socially Challenge
Maria Miranda • Creative Director • Miranda Creative

Does no one “like” you? Not a peep from your tweets? If so, this session is for you. For the past six months social media expert Maria Miranda has been surveying and monitoring select bars’ interactions with their customers through their social media platforms. She offered expert insight on how to create more engagement online and translate that conversation into sales. Miranda tracked their progress and is ready to share the results. If you need to up your social media presence this can’t miss session will provide you with real life examples from your peers.

4:10 – 5:00 PM - Room N109
Deliver Results with Designed Event Promo Materials
Alex Miranda • CEO • The Creative Complex

First Impressions Count! Every customer that comes in contact with your nightclub and event flyers, venue promotions, social media ads, email blasts, etc. will decide whether or not to come to your venue based on your company image and the design of your materials. So, how do you look? In this entertaining session, Alex will run through the mistakes made when creating designed materials and offer positive solutions for creating the perfectly-designed promotions elements - all while keeping your branding on track.

Wednesday, March 20

10:00 AM – 10:50 AM - Room N101
The Current State of Engagement Marketing
David Sribnik • Director for Trends & Technology • MarkeTeam, Inc

Facebook, QR Codes, SMS, Google+, HTMLs, Yelp, Foursquare, Instagram, etc. You keep hearing that you should be utilizing these technologies to help promote your business and engage your customers. Once you’ve spent the time to learn one platform, it’  defunct and a new five have popped up in its place. Join David Sribnik on a fast-paced, example-rich tour of the current state of “modern marketing.” Learn what’s trending, what’s being successfully used in the industry, and what technology is here to stay.

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM - Room N101
Facebook 201
Maria Miranda • Creative Director • Miranda Creative

Do you currently have a Facebook page but are struggling to attract fans? Are you confused about applications and how to use them effectively? Have you run Facebook ads with poor results or need help in running your first ad? You have fan insights: great, now what? Get answers to these questions and more in this fun and engaging presentation. This session will provide you with the hands-on knowledge to make the most of your Facebook presence.

3:00 PM – 3:50 PM - Room N109
How to Connect All the iDots to Increase Sales
Boris Bugarsk • CEO & President • ShoutAmp, Inc

This session focuses on showing you how to connect all the internet marketing tactics into one complete umbrella strategy. You will learn the various channels that internet marketers are using today to promote local venues throughout the internet. From search engines to social media to local business listings and more, you will leave with a complete understanding of how all the parts work together to drive more traffic and sales into your location.

4:00 PM – 4:50 PM - Room N101
Help with Yelp!
Moderator: Misti Yang • Las Vegas Community Manager • Yelp!
Panelists: Darnell Holloway • Manager of Local Business Outreach • Yelp!, Jennifer Miller • Marketing & Events Dir • Nacho Daddy, Michael Galatte • Marketing Manager • Ellis Island Casino & Brewery and William Miller • Bar Manager • Nacho Daddy

Who are Yelpers and why do they Yelp? How should you respond to a negative review? Why does Yelp have a review filter? You have questions about Yelp, and that’s why you should attend this session where a candid conversation will be had. This session is a great opportunity for nightclub and bar operators to ask questions, learn more about free tools for business owners and how to engage with online critics.

Thursday, March 21

1:00 PM – 1:50 PM - Room N101
Think Big: Mobile Marketing Strategies
Moderator: Drew Whited • Managing Partner • YourPortalOnline .com
Panelists: Mike Grosser • VP Business Development • Zipscene and Daniel Stedman • Founder • Northside Media Group

Is your venue taking advantage of the online and mobile market to generate more revenue? Make the most of your online marketing strategies with tools that connect you directly to your online and mobile market. Success stories and best practices from some of the top venues in cities across the US will be shared. See how these top venues “thing big” about their online marketing strategies and how to reach your direct market effectively and consistently.

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM - Room N101
Consumers Are Searching: Will They Find Your Business?
Wiley Cerilli • VP & General Manager SinglePlatform • Constant Contact

How about a few sobering numbers? 97% of conumers go online to research products or services in their local area. 49% of searches for local businesses occur without a specific business in mind. And perhaps the most important: 64% of mobile restaurant searchers convert immediately or within an hour. So what does that mean for local bars or nightclubs? You have to be found when and where consumers are searching, whether that’s a search engine or an app, and the information that should help them make a decision. This session will provide you with actionable steps to make sure you’re in the right places and to turn the internet-searching consumer into your next loyal customer.

Recommended By:

3:00 – 3:50 PM - Room N101
Building Guest Loyalty for Increased Revenue
Joe Gabriel • Association Alliances Manager • Fishbowl

Are you caught up in the vicious circle of having to regularly offer “deals” and “coupons” just to keep up? If so, what can you do to stand out and generate customer visits? The answer is simple - build loyalty. In this informative seminar, learn why couponing tactics are broken and not generating the type of sustainable traffic that your business is looking for. Hear about real results and strategies to develop guest loyalty that will increase your email open rates, Facebook visibility and of course put customers in seats.