Nation’s Restaurant News is proud to announce the lineup for the Table Talk Roundtables sessions at CREATE: The Experience, being held for the first time in Palm Springs, California, this October 1-3, 2023.
The Table Talk Roundtables sessions will take place on Oct. 2 from 1-2:45 pm. These fast-paced interactive sessions will be divided into two blocks, 45 minutes long, with a 15-minute break in between. For each block, attendees will be able to choose which of the four sessions they want to attend, and then switch to a second session after the break. The themes of each session, featuring a dozen leaders and executives from across the restaurant industry, are Technology, Growth & Finance, Customer Experience, and Operational Experience.
“Part of our promise at the CREATE Experience is that we will provide attendees with unparalleled access to their fellow restaurant leaders,” Sam Oches, editor-in-chief of Nation’s Restaurant News, said. “We’ve heard loud and clear from the industry that they want more connections and conversations with their peers so they can benchmark their success and learn how to navigate challenges. Our brand-new Table Talk Roundtable sessions are one of the ways we aim to provide those connections, as these sessions will revolve around insightful conversations among attendees and speakers that help to inform and educate everyone in the room.”
Each Roundtable session will begin with a panel of four experts discussing the theme, and then will break out into more informal conversations, with panelists joining each table to help lead the discussion. The lineup for each Table Talk Roundtable discussion includes:
SESSION ONE: 1:00-1:45
- Technology Innovation: Peter John Newlin, CEO of Birdcall and Chief Vision Officer and Partner of Gastamo Group; Kris Douglas, vice president of technology for Smalls Sliders; Danny Pizarro, CMO of The Salty Donut; and Otto Othman, cofounder and CEO of Pincho
- Growth & Finance: Todd Wilson, executive vice president and CFO of Red Robin Burgers; Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands; Anand Gala, founder and managing partner of Gala Capital Partners; and Andrew Smith, managing director and cofounder of Savory Fund
- Customer Experience Innovation: Mark Berinato, senior vice president of digital experience at CAVA; Joe Palermo, vice president of operations at Chicken N Pickle; Josh Kern, CEO of SPB Hospitality; and Scott Taylor, president of Walk-On’s Spots Bistreaux
- Operational Excellence Innovation: Michele Maerz, president of Salata Salad Kitchen; André Vener, cofounder of Dog Haus; Derrick Pratt, COO of Portillo’s; and Paul Damico, president of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
SESSION 2: 2:00-2:45
- Technology Innovation: Peter John Newlin, CEO of Birdcall and Chief Vision Officer and Partner of Gastamo Group; Kris Douglas, vice president of technology for Smalls Sliders; Danny Pizarro, CMO of The Salty Donut; and Steph So, head of digital experience at Shake Shack
- Growth & Finance: Todd Wilson, executive vice president and CFO of Red Robin Burgers; Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands; Anand Gala, founder and managing partner of Gala Capital Partners; and Jeff Chandler, CEO of Hopdoddy Burger Bar
- Customer Experience Innovation: Mark Berinato, senior vice president of digital experience at CAVA; Joe Palermo, vice president of operations at Chicken N Pickle; Josh Kern, CEO of SPB Hospitality; and Briana Valdez, founder and CEO of HomeState
- Operational Excellence Innovation: Michele Maerz, president of Salata Salad Kitchen; Derrick Pratt, COO of Portillo’s; Paul Damico, president of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop; and Robin Robinson, COO of Modern Restaurant Concepts
“CREATE is all about having the restaurant industry’s leading innovators talk with attendees, not at them, and the Table Talk Roundtables are the perfect example of how that will come to life,” Sam Oches said.
To attend both these Roundtable sessions, along with popup festivals, fireside chats, an Investor Summit, and a talk from CREATE 2023’s keynote speaker, Danny Trejo, secure your spot by registering here.
