hether you’re a seasoned restaurateur or new to the industry, the 16th annual Restaurant Trends seminar will serve up tips and advice on succeeding in an increasingly competitive market. The “Positioning for Success in 2008” seminar will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Boston’s Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley Street, from 1 to 5pm and will feature panels and presentations covering topics like hot trends, green issues and building a “buzz” for your restaurant.
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“For those that attend, they’ll see that this is a very personal and intimate event,” explained Geri Rhoades,
vice president of organizational development for Cafco Construction
Management Inc., one of the sponsors of the event. “They’re part of a
small group, unlike a huge tradeshow.” Since this is not a tradeshow,
attendance will be capped at no more than 130 registrants.
Along
with Cafco Construction Management, the event is also sponsored by
commercial real estate firm The Boston Restaurant Group and business
law firm Ruberto, Israel & Weiner. “We all make our living
supporting the restaurant |
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community,and we wanted to do something to
offer meaningful content that’s relevant and useful to our client
base,” noted Ed McCabe, president of Cafco Construction.
“This
seminar provides great information that they might not have access to
another way and they’ll walk away having learned something.”,
vice president of organizational development for Cafco Construction
Management Inc., one of the sponsors of the event. “They’re part of a
small group, unlike a huge tradeshow.” Since this is not a tradeshow,
attendance will be capped at no more than 130 registrants.
Both McCabe and Rhoades stressed that this non-profit event is nothing like a tradeshow. There are no booths set up and no selling done during the seminar. “There’s a very different feel to this. It’s all about learning and education,” he added. Each year, attendees fill out feedback surveys and suggest what they’re interested in seeing the following year. Learning how to “go green” was something last year’s attendees were interested in, so Michael Oshman, founder and executive director of the Green Restaurant Association, will provide an update on green trends and how the industry can become more environmentally sustainable in a profitable manner at this year’s event.
Charlie Perkins, owner of The Boston Restaurant Group, will offer an annual market round up, covering new trends, Boston’s changing demographics, recent openings and closings, and valuing a restaurant. The “Enhancing Your Image” panel will offer tips about creating your restaurant’s image and how to build the “buzz,” as well as the best ways to get a great review and what to do in a crisis. The “Brand Success” panel will highlight the culinary and business marriage.
So if you’re new to the area, just getting into the industry or a veteran restaurateur, you’re sure to learn something at this networking event. With local presenters and panelists offering advice, sharing their stories and providing tips for success, McCabe stated that this event is an excellent way for the industry to foster camaraderie and learning. “Our objective has not changed in 16 years and it won’t,” he added. “We don’t want this seminar to become a marketing event.”To register for the seminar, go to
www.rtseminar.com.
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