Monday, March 12, 2012

Properly Structuring Your Tip Policy
Terrence Robinson, Labor and Employment Specialist, Cozen O’Connor, P.C. 
1:00 - 1:50 PM
[Room N117]

Undoubtedly, if you’re in the hospitality industry where employees customarily receive tips, you’ve heard about the many wage and hour claims centering around the use of the “tip credit” and “tip pooling” arrangements. Join, labot and employment specialist, Terrence Robinson as he gives you a “lay of the land” view on how to properly structure your tip credit and tip pooling arrangement and how to avoid pitfalls with a well-structured policy.

____________________________________________________________________________________

How to Insure Against Lawsuits That Threaten Your Bar
Moderator: Jeffrey Cohen, President, Indemnity Insurance Corporation
Panelists: Schyler Kohl, VP Claims, RCA Insurance Group, Steven Rosenfeld, Attorney, Havkins, Rosenfeld, Ritzert & Varriale, LLP, Jan Trendowski, Attorney, Trendowski & Allen, P.C. Legal Solutions, Scott Wessing, Vice President of Claims, Indemnity Insurance Corporation and Steve Silverman, Managing Partner, Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White
2:10 - 3:00 PM
[Room N117]

Owning a bar or nightclub can be a risky business. Controlling your liabilities is critical to your success. What can you do to reduce your risks? This panel of experts can help answer these questions: How can you defuse potential assault & battery claims? What’s the best way to train your security staff? How much responsibility do you bear when your patrons walk out your door and climb into their cars to drive home? Learn what are the best coverage’s to protect you and  your business against the liabilities you face … how to expose frivolous claims … and what to do when you’re faced with them.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space
Charles Senkler, Space Planning and Concept Development, Activeplan 
3:10 - 4:00 PM
[Room N117]

Charles Senkler an international food and beverage consultant gives an informative session on outdoor patio design. Highlighted are considerations for the space plan of the patio based on activity, physical location and synergism with other interior activities. Seating heights, bar placement, casual seating verses formal and many situation based topics will be discussed. Bring your notebook, a sharp pencil and your investor.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Fight Club: Managing Badly Behaving Patrons
Moderator: Robert Smith, CEO, Nightclub Security Consultants
Panelists: Jocelyn Kane, Executive Director, San Francisco Entertainment Commission and Robert Hamparyan, Attorney, Hamparyan Law Firm 
4:10 - 5:00 PM
[Room N117]

Keeping your guests and staff safe should be your first priority, but until an emergency or tragedy occurs, far too often it's a second thought.  Understanding the importance of managing your guests in and out of your venue, the necessity of proper training and understanding proactive measures to reduce premise liability is of the utmost importance if an operator truly wants to provide a reasonably safe environment.  Join our panel of experts as they provide suggestions on how to handle large and small problems in and around your establishment.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Night Meet Light: Lighting & Effects
Jack Kelly, Entertainment Technology Designer, Eye Dialogue Audio Visual
10:00 - 10:50 AM
[Room N117]

Join entertainment technology designer Jack Kelly and discover idiosyncrasies, strengths, and the relationships of design’s most powerful ally and night’s most viscous adversary, lighting. Expand understanding of how light works to create greater impact on décor and the nightlife experience. Key concepts that keep guest present and drinking!

____________________________________________________________________________________

Creating a Vibe: Dance Music
Moderator: Sam Sameni, Operating Partner, Wish Ultralounge
Panelists: Sujit Kundu, Founder, S.K.A.M., Eddie McDonald, DJ & Corporate Program Director, Angel Management Group and Principal, Tribute Recordings and Mike Esterman, CEO, Esterman Entertainment
1:00 - 1:50 PM
[Room N117]

Determining what type of music is right for your venue is one of the most important aspects of a customer’s experience.  The music that you chose should create a vibe or mood that compliments the overall theme of your venue, especially in a dance club. Join our panel of music experts as they discuss what's new on the dance music scene and how to create a stellar guest experience.

____________________________________________________________________________________

The Science of Design
Nancy Hadley, Expert, Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” and President, Nancy Hadley Fine Art & Consulting, Inc. 
3:00 - 3:50 PM
[Room N109]

Design and flow are two of the most important aspects of any venue.  These elements can make or break a business when its focus is creating social interactions to provide customers with an amazing experience. Everything from paint to decor and glassware to bathrooms join, Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” designer Nancy Hadley, as she discusses how to look at your venue with fresh eyes to create a better overall customer experience.

Session Recommended By:

___________________________________________________________________________

In Fluxx: Enhance the Customer Experience with Creativity and Change
Dave Renzella, Rodrigo Iglesias, & Mike Georgopoulos, Partners, RMD Group 
4:00 - 4:50 PM
[Room N117]

How do you keep it fresh for club-goers and bar guests who feel like they’ve been there, done that and seen it all? What can you do to make an impression on your clientele and draw them back for more, night after night? How do you stay on the public – and media’s – radar long after the initial opening buzz has died down? Join the RMD Group, the innovative management team behind San Diego mega-club FLUXX, as they share insight on creative methods to enhance the customer experience. Named “New Club of the Year” by NCB in 2010, FLUXX nightclub’s mood and motif is kept in a constant state of change with bimonthly, theatrical shifts in theme, custom props and style, creating a unique experience and new discovery with every visit. The RMD Group session will also include a coveted Top 10 List of examples and ideas to engage new customers and intrigue the repeat guest including themed nights, weekly promotions, and unexpected events that draw new guests and excite repeat clientele. Learn how to elevate your customers experience and build a successful nightlife business with longevity.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Customer Perception: The First Five Feet
Dr. Steven Austin Stovall, Professor, Wilmington College 
10:00 - 10:50 AM
[Room N117]

In this session Dr. Stovall explores the critical importance of first impressions.  What do customers see when they enter the bar?  What do they experience?  Are the impressions the kind that will turn them off or make them glad they came in?  This session focuses on what managers and owners can do right now to improve their first five feet and the overall impressions customers have.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Branding an Experience: The Power of Sound
Moderator: Keri Maxwell, GM, Screenplay Entertainment, Inc. 
Panelist: Eddie McDonald, DJ & Corporate Program Director, Angel Management Group and Principal, Tribute Recordings, Gian Sapienza, Regional Manager, Golden Tavern Group, Ross Vickers, Director, Music Video Technologies, Doug Collins, Managing Partner, Public House Garage and Justin Harris, General Manager, The Pour House / The Garage
2:00 - 2:50 PM
[Room N117]

Music and on-screen entertainment are two of the most impactful and resonating elements of your business environment.  The experience is a lasting extension of your brand.  In this panel we will discuss how music programming and the use of your screens directly affect your bottom line.  We will discuss the most important considerations a business owner needs to make to determine the best method of music management.  With so many options available, our panelists will share their experience and knowledge so that you can make the best choice for your business.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Ten Methods to Reduce On-Premise Liability
Robert Smith, CEO, Nightclub Security Consultants 
3:00 - 3:50 PM
[Room N117]

This session was designed to help you, the operator reduce preventable losses and costs associated with patron violence, bouncer mistakes and over all premise liability.  The concepts taught can be used immediately, not next year, but right now, as soon as you get back to your shop!  You'll learn the real reasons your guests sue you, but in plain English so you can better understand the problems and how to attack them proactively.  All attendees will walk out of this session with a Certificate of Completion as well as a proven list of Must Do items that will prepare them to fight against their own premise liability lawsuit.  There are some true, must see sessions this year, this is absolutely one of them.