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18TH ANNUAL Restaurant Industry Conference California Sets America’s Table
Tue, May 13, 2014 7:30am-6:30pm Covel Commons, UCLA Welcome to Our 2014 Conference
UCLA Extension is proud to present our 18th Annual Restaurant Industry Conference in collaboration with world-leaders in brand development, food service, design innovation, operations excellence, market analysis and customer satisfaction. That’s a mouthful but where else in the world can you personally access the thinking of French Laundry’s Thomas Keller, Ideation’s Joey Reiman, Beacon Economics’ Christopher Thornberg, as well as the leaders of Yelp! and many emerging/rapidly growing new restaurant concepts? UCLA Extension serves approximately 50,000 students annually through Westwood and other satellite campuses, plus on-line courses serving U.S. and international students on a world-wide basis. In the Business, Management & Legal Department we focus our certificate programs and courses across areas Roger Torneden (i.e. web analytics and social media marketing, small business management, credit analysis, Director, Department of finance, accounting, etc.) and on specific industries (i.e. Hospitality, Financial Services, Business, Management, Consulting, Security, Real Estate, etc.). This conference is emblematic of Extension’s focus on and Legal, UCLA Extension the development of both practical and strategic skills with a 2,000+ instructor team who are top practitioners in their professions. We thank you for joining us this year and look forward to seeing you again in future years! We also look forward to you and your employees taking advantage of some of our 4,500 professional development and continuing education courses offered each year.
Circle of Excellence Members The following restaurant operating companies support the 18th Annual UCLA Extension Restaurant Industry Conference in our advocacy of education, leadership development, networking, innovation, and community involvement in the restaurant industry: A Message from the Conference Chair
This year’s theme, “California Sets America’s Table,” rings true in so many ways. Fabled California, the land of dreams and inspiration, is the most populous U.S. state and home to one in every eight Americans. From Hollywood and Disneyland, to Silicon Valley and Yosemite, California has something for everyone. Its geography is amazingly diverse, with thousands of miles of coastline, vast deserts, prolific farmlands, and primeval redwood forests. California produces one-third of the nation’s food, and some of the world’s most acclaimed wines. From a thriving technology industry to revolutionary green farming, Californians work hard and transform the status quo constantly. Little wonder then that California attracts visionaries, innovators and entrepreneurs – such as our speakers! Our Innovation Award winner is the world famous Thomas Keller, Chef/ Anna M. Graves Proprietor of The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon, and Ad Hoc, and winner Conference Chair; Co-Leader of the of multiple awards, including the title of “America’s Best Chef” from Time Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group, Magazine. He will be interviewed by his long-time friend, and last year’s Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Innovation Award winner, Dr. Tim Ryan, President of The Culinary Institute of America. Our economic forecast is by one of California’s leading economists, Anna Graves is co-leader of Pillsbury’s Chris Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics and formerly of Restaurant, Food & Beverage industry UCLA’s Anderson Forecast. Chris will speak about California’s expanding group and a partner in the firm’s corporate & economy and provide guidance for the future. Our keynote speaker is Joey securities practice. Ms. Graves has broad- Reiman, the founder of BrightHouse and the author of several best sellers, based experience in mergers and acquisitions, including The Story of Purpose. Joey is one of the most uplifting, energizing and focused speakers in the nation. securities, finance, licensing, and general corporate matters. Voted by her peers as one We are featuring the founders and CEOs of four ground-breaking, early- stage concepts: Mario Del Pero of Mendocino Farms, Dean Loring of Burger of Southern California’s “Super Lawyers,” Ms. Lounge, Rodney Eckerman of PizzaRev, and David Birzon of Snooze, an AM Graves represents a number of restaurant Eatery. Three of these are California-born, and the fourth has chosen California and retail clients. She concentrates her as its second market. The panel will be moderated by Russ Bendel, the leader practice in the core areas of M&A, emerging of another California original, The Habit Burger Grill, and will discuss how ideas growth companies (including start-ups), developed in California have changed the industry, including sustainability, capital formation activities including private cause-based marketing, transparency, and locality. Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, will speak about CKE’s philosophy toward franchising and deep placements, brand licensing transactions, admiration of frachisees. supply and distribution agreements, private We have an interesting session with Morgan Remmers of Yelp! (another equity investments, and SEC compliance California pioneer) on getting your customers to rave about you online. Wally matters. Ms. Graves’ finance experience Doolin will help conference attendees learn how to gather and utilize “Big Data,” includes acting as counsel for issuers, venture with panelists David Gordon of The Cheesecake Factory, Pete Honer of Del investors, angel investors, private equity funds, Taco, and Fred LeFranc of Results Thru Strategy. Our day will be rounded out start-up companies, and selling stockholders. by a dual panel on Microbrands, Millennials and Customers of the Future which Her M&A experience includes representing will be led by Amanda Hite and include panelists from Eagle Rock Brewery, Wurstküche Restaurant, Project Pie, Applebee’s and Alma Restaurants. both buyers and sellers, strategic acquisitions, acquisitions through bankruptcy, other I am very proud to serve as Chair of the Conference, and very grateful to the members of our Advisory Board and the educators of UCLA Extension for distressed transactions, recapitalizations, and their work in designing the conference curriculum and gathering such a potent structural reorganizations. group of speakers. If you would like to become involved with the Conference and explore sponsorship or other opportunities, please contact me at [email protected].
Anna M. Graves Conference Chair; Partner and Co-Leader of the Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP California Sets America’s Table Conference Program
7:30-8:30am 10:15-10:40am
Registration and Continental Breakfast Networking Break 8:30-8:45am 10:40-11:30am
Welcome and Program Overview Featured Speaker: Roger Torneden, Director, Department of Business, Christopher Thornberg, Management, and Legal, UCLA Extension Founding Partner, Beacon Economics Anna M. Graves, Partner and Co-Leader of the Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Economic Forecast: 8:45-9:45am Outlook for the California and Southern California Opening Keynote: Economies with a Special Focus on the Restaurant Joey Reiman, and Hospitality Industries CEO and Founder, BrightHouse The discussion will cover the ongoing economic recovery and attendees will gain insight into the direction the economy will take over the near and long-term future. Dr. Thornberg will present a thorough analysis of key economic and industry indicators such as commercial and residential The Story of Purpose real estate markets, employment/unemployment, consumer spending, bankruptcies, business activity, personal income, Some ideas are bigger than others, and the Master Idea— international trade, and GDP growth. The presentation will your company’s purpose—is the biggest. When Nike said, also touch on the leading risks facing the economy, including Just Do It, the company put a voice to the belief that humans ideologically-driven political dysfunction in Washington DC, have no limits. When Disney asked people to wish upon a the Federal deficit, and the slowing international economy. star, they instantly established the powerful idea that life is magical. The Story of Purpose offers a blueprint for creating 11:30am-12:30pm timeless messaging and powerful actions for both internal and external stakeholders. Learn how to uncover what makes Harnessing the Power of Big Data your company distinctive and discover the fundamental force “Big Data” is still a concept that many restaurant leaders are behind your organization that no competitor can replicate or grappling with, but a big change is coming. According to replace. Through stories of purpose from purpose-driven Juniper Research, restaurant operators plan to spend $55 companies, Joey Reiman promises to help you guide, inspire, billion annually on mobile marketing by 2015, almost double and transform your organization. the $28 billion level spent last year. But the power of data extends beyond mobile marketing, geo-targeting and con- 9:45-10:15am sumer engagement to include real-time sales reporting, inventory management, new product development and faster, Featured Speaker: more accurate menu item rollouts. Join us as we explore the Andy Puzder, potential and benefits of harnessing the power of big data to CEO, CKE Restaurants, Inc. better engage consumers and improve the bottom line.
Moderator: Wallace (Wally) Doolin, Founder and Chairman, TDn2K Panelists: Today’s Franchise: Creating Jobs, Spurring David Gordon, President, The Cheesecake Factory, Economic Recovery Incorporated As a nation driven by individual entrepreneurs, the U.S. Pete Honer, SVP of Finance, Del Taco has produced more economic affluence across broader Fred LeFranc, Founder and CEO, Results Thru Strategy socio-economic classes than any nation in human history. The franchise community is a proud group and justifiably so. Franchisees are the quintessential entrepreneurs. Mr. Puzder will discuss CKE Restaurants’ philosophy on franchising and will share some perspectives on issues impacting our nation’s franchisors and franchisees. All general sessions are held in the Grand Horizon Ballroom of Covel Commons. Luncheon & Innovation Award Presentation Location: Palisades Room
12:30-2pm
Award Recipient: Interviewer: Thomas Keller, (@Chef_Keller), Chef/ Dr. Tim Ryan, Proprietor of The French Laundry, Per Se, President, The Culinary Institute of America Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery and Ad Hoc. Publisher of Finesse Magazine Dr. Tim Ryan, president of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) since 2001, has spent 30 years (photo by Deborah Jones) with the college. A 1977 CIA graduate, he is the first alumnus and faculty member to Thomas Keller is renowned for his culinary skills and his become the CIA president. A Certified Master Chef, he holds exceptionally high standards. He has established a collection an EdD from The University of Pennsylvania and a BA and of restaurants that set a new paradigm within the hospitality MBA from the University of New Haven. As the CIA president, industry. He is the first and only American-born chef to hold Dr. Ryan established the CIA campus in San Antonio, Texas, multiple three-star ratings from the prestigious Michelin and the first CIA international campus in Singapore. He over- Guide, as well as the first American male chef to be desig- saw the CIA’s collaborations with Harvard to create profes- nated a Chevalier of The French Legion of Honor, the highest sional conferences and helped create the annual, “Worlds of decoration in France. He has received countless accolades, Flavor International Conference and Festival” in Napa Valley, including The Culinary Institute of America’s “Chef of the acknowledged as one of the most influential forums on world Year” Award and the James Beard Foundation’s cuisines, food cultures, and flavor trends. Chef Ryan was “Outstanding Chef” and “Outstanding Restaurateur” Awards. captain of the U.S. Culinary Team from 1986 to 1989, leading the group to victories at the first Culinary World Cup Keller began his culinary career at a young age, working in in Luxembourg and the Culinary Olympics in Germany. the Palm Beach restaurant managed by his mother. He relocated to France in 1983, where he worked in several Michelin-starred houses including Guy Savoy and Taillevent. He opened his first restaurant, Rakel, in New York City in 1986, then moved westward to California to work as the Executive Chef at the Checkers Hotel in Los Angeles. In 1994, Keller took ownership of The French Laundry in Yountville, quickly garnering nationwide acclaim. His French bistro Bouchon debuted in 1998, with Bouchon Bakery following five years later, both in walking distance from The French Laundry. The other restaurants in the group include his family-style restaurant Ad Hoc also located in Yountville, Per Se and Bouchon Bakery & Cafe in the Time Warner Center in New York City, and outposts of Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery at The Venetian in Las Vegas. In November 2009, he opened Bouchon in Beverly Hills and introduced his newest concept Bar Bouchon in an adjacent space. In May 2011 Keller opened Bouchon Bakery in New York City’s iconic Rockefeller Center, followed by another unveil- ing of Bouchon Bakery in Beverly Hills later in August. In December 2012, he simultaneously opened two additional locations of Bouchon Bakery at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Keller is the author of five cookbooks, of which more than one million copies are in print. His award-winning The French Laundry cookbook debuted in 1999, followed by Bouchon and Under Pressure, a cookbook dedicated to sous vide preparations. 2-2:15pm 3:45-4:15pm
Networking Break How to Get Your Customers to Rave About You Online 2:15-3:30pm There’s no question that receiving a positive online review Should You Worry? – Microbrands, Milliennials and gives you the stamp of approval you need, especially when Customers of the Future 95% of consumers are turning to the internet to find local Millennials are creating competitive concepts and changing businesses.* In this presentation, you’ll learn how to effec- the way we eat. Should a traditional corporate restaurant tively market your business both online and offline to gener- company be worried? Millennials are choosing their restau- ate the positive buzz you desire. *According to a 2014 rants like our dads picked cars. Back then Dad aspired to survey from BrightLocal. have a Cadillac for all it stood for, a strong American indus- Speaker: try, prosperity, and a growing class of luxury post “winning” Morgan Remmers, Manager, Local Business Outreach, Yelp WWII. Today’s millennial consumers want to associate with food brands that have good ethics, support a cause, and 4:15-5:15pm operate sustainably. We hear words like authentic and trans- parent. How they eat and where they eat is important to their Emerging Concepts: What Sets Us Apart identity and it is changing ours. It’s no longer just about the California has always generated – and welcomed – original food and the service. thinkers and visionaries. Our Emerging Concepts panel fea- tures the founders and chief executive officers of four Join us for a lively discuss between two panels: one focused ground-breaking, early-stage concepts, three of which are on what it means to feed the millennial consumer and the California-born, and the fourth of which has chosen other on what it means to hire, train and promote the millen- California as its second market. The panel is moderated by nial employee. All hosted by Amanda Hite – a social media Russ Bendel, the CEO of another California original, The guru who will lead us through this world of brand culture. Habit Burger Grill. The panelists will discuss the innovative Moderator: qualities which distinguish their brands and allow them to Amanda Hite, Co-Founder, Chief Change Officer, stand out from the competition, including engagement, trans- BTC Revolutions parency, seasonality, sustainability, cause-based, fresh, locally-sourced, organic, and healthful. Panelists: Courtney Guerra, Head Farmer & Forager, Alma Restaurant Moderator: James Markham, CEO/Founder - Project Pie Russ Bendel, CEO/President, The Habit Restaurants, LLC Shannon Scott, Executive Director, Marketing Panelists: Communications, Applebee’s David Birzon, CEO, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Ting Su, Co-founder of Eagle Rock Brewery and Eagle Rock Mario Del Pero, Founder, Mendocino Farms Brewery Public Houses Rodney Eckerman, President & CEO, PizzaRev Tyler Wilson, Partner, Wurstküche Restaurant J. Dean Loring, President and CEO, Burger Lounge
3:30-3:45pm 5:15-6:30pm Networking Break Closing Reception Conference Speakers
Russ Bendel, CEO/President, The Habit Rodney Eckerman, Co-CEO & President, Restaurants, LLC. In June of 2008, Mr. Bendel PizzaRev. Rodney Eckerman has served in a was appointed to Chief Executive Officer of The senior management capacity in diverse areas Habit Burger Grill, originating in Santa Barbara, of the entertainment business, including California. Prior to working for The Habit, Mr. production design, touring, venue development, Bendel joined The Cheesecake Factory, venue operation and event presentation. Mr. Incorporated in July of 2007 as President and Eckerman’s career has included serving as Chief Operating Officer. Beginning June of 2001, Mr. Bendel President of Pace Music, COO of NYSE listed SFX’s Music worked at Mimi’s Cafe as President and CEO. His other Division, and Co-CEO and COO of NYSE listed Clear experiences include Roy’s, Outback Steakhouse, El Torito Channel’s Music Division. While at Clear Channel, Mr. Restaurants and Panda Express. He holds a Bachelor of Eckerman had P & L responsibility for operations with Science degree in Hotel Administration from Florida gross revenues in excess of $1.4 billion, including food and International University in Miami, Florida. He currently is on the beverage operations grossing over $100 million per year with Board of Directors for the California Restaurant Association operations spanning the US and a large part of Europe. He and has served as their Chairman. Mr. Bendel, also, is on the brings his experience and past success to his newest ven- Board of Advisors for the Collins School of Hospitality ture with longtime partner Irv Zuckerman, where at PizzaRev Management, at California State Polytechnic University. he serves as Partner and Co-CEO. In under 2 years PizzaRev opened 10 corporate units in the Los Angeles area, David Birzon, CEO “Old Major,” Snooze, an and they will more than double their number of restaurants A.M. Eatery. David Birzon is the former President in 2014. PizzaRev added franchising to the portfolio with of Paradise Bakery & Café (1989-2007), and a franchise partner announcements in Minnesota, California former SVP at Panera Bread (2007-2011). After and Utah with more to come. “We intend on growing our growing to 80 units and $140M + in sales, business strategically in targeted markets with an eye toward including the development of a successful fran- securing the best franchise partners who’ll maintain the chise program, Paradise Bakery was acquired same passion and level of excitement for PizzaRev that we by Panera Bread in 2007. After moving his family to Colorado do,” stated Rodney Eckerman, Co-CEO and President. and very deliberately taking 18 months off, Mr. Birzon joined PizzaRev is poised to continue its growth nationally with its Snooze as its CEO in November of 2012. partner Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., which in 2013 announced Mario Del Pero, Founder, Mendocino Farms. an equity-investment in PizzaRev Mario Del Pero created Mendocino Farms with David Gordon, President, The Cheesecake his partner and wife Ellen Chen in 2003, open- Factory, Incorporated. David M. Gordon, a ing their first unit in Downtown Los Angeles in nearly 28-year veteran of the restaurant indus- 2004. Having grown to seven locations so far, try, serves as President of The Cheesecake Mendocino Farms restaurants are some of the Factory Incorporated, the leading upscale highest grossing sales-per-foot restaurants in casual-dining restaurant in the United States the city, while also being some of the most loved. Most with revenues of approximately $2.0 billion. recently, Mendocino Farms received an investment from pri- Working directly with the Founder and CEO, he oversees all vate equity firm Catterton Partners and is now preparing to aspects of the business including financial and strategic grow to 30 units in the Southern California market by 2018. planning, international restaurant development and opera- Mario Del Pero continues to be the harbinger of the tions, product procurement, and people development for Mendocino Farms lifestyle. 180 domestic restaurant locations with more than 33,000 Wallace (Wally) Doolin, Chairman/Founder, staff members. Prior to his position as President, David was TDn2K. TDn2K is the holding company of the Chief Operating Officer where he led and developed People Report, the leading restaurant industry senior management teams while creating alignment and workforce intelligence company currently track- accountability for results. His strategic leadership helped ing 1 million employees monthly. He is also the guide field operations to exceed financial, operational, and Chairman, CEO & Founder of Black Box people targeted benchmarks while driving the company’s Intelligence, which provides revenue business culture and values. During David’s nearly 21 years with The intelligence for the restaurant industry, tracking $40+ billion Cheesecake Factory, Incorporated he has held the positions annually, 18,000 restaurants and 100+ brands weekly. of General Manager, Managing Director, Area Director of Additionally, Mr. Doolin serves on the boards of Famous Operations, Regional Vice President, Senior Vice President Dave’s, Splick-It, PhaseNext Hospitality, and Share Our of Operations, and Chief Operating Officer. David com- Strength. Mr. Doolin is a past Chairman of the National pleted The Executive Program in Management at the UCLA Restaurant Associations Education Foundation and board Anderson Graduate School of Management in 2009. member emeritus of the National Restaurant Association. Anna Graves, Conference Chair; Partner and Co-Leader of the Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (see Message from the Conference Chair for full bio) Courtney Guerra, Head Farmer & Forager, J. Dean Loring, Co-Founder and CEO, Burger Alma Restaurant. Getting her start in kitchens, Lounge Restaurants. There are two things Courtney attended the CIA Greystone in Napa worth knowing about J. Dean Loring. He is Valley. Courtney briefly left Napa to work at afflicted with a compulsive urge to serve guests Meliesse, a two Michelin star Restaurant in and he never stops thinking about how to make Santa Monica, under Chef Josiah Citrin. the perfect hamburger-centric restaurant. In Courtney returned to Napa to work under Chef 2007 Mr. Loring co-founded Burger Lounge Christopher Kostow at The Restaurant at Meadowood, a with former banking CFO Michael Gilligan. Today the com- three Michelin star operation. It was while working at pany owns and operates 12 locations throughout Southern Meadowood that Courtney fell in love with farming and also California. Burger Lounge began with a simple goal: “To cre- her interests in foraging. In 2014 Courtney moved to LA to ate a place where guests can enjoy an indulgent burger they begin her own urban farm. She broke ground on the Flower can feel good about eating while providing non-meat eaters Ave Garden in Venice in January of 2014, and by March of and health conscious diners with truly healthy options.” 2014 signed an exclusive contract with Alma Restaurant, Coupled with innovative design and superlative service, which was named “Best New Restaurant in America in Burger Lounge is an award winning restaurant-company with 2013” by Bon Appetit. Courtney forages once a week for the its sights on continued growth. restaurant, as well as supplies produce from her urban farm. James Markham, CEO/Founder - Project Amanda Hite, Co-Founder, Chief Change Pie. When was the last time a pizza place Officer, BTC Revolutions. (Be The Change) cracked your list of top 5 restaurants? Let’s Building Communities, Igniting Movements that be honest - most pizza lacks personality. Its make Meaning and Money, and CEO and primary purveyors still make it in a hut, use Founder of Talent Revolution, Inc., lives her papa’s recipe, or reference a game that most message of “Be The Change” and, for those of America doesn’t even know how to play. who work with her and have heard her speak, James Markham got sick of eating bad pizza and thought that message is forever tattooed in their conscience. Amanda the good stuff cost too much. So he set out to create a is revolutionizing the way companies think about social media, fast casual, custom pizza restaurant, and ended up pio- employment branding, marketing, and maximizing their return neering the category. After opening Mod Pizza in Seattle on talent. And most importantly, she’s an innovator who shows and Pie-ology in California, both to popular acclaim, James that it’s truly possible to make both meaning and money by decided to move his idea forward. Project Pie is the next utilizing social media for social good. generation; the culmination of James’ experience and learnings - he’s created a customizable, craveable experi- Pete Honer, SVP of Finance, Del Taco. Pete ence that has helped him carve out a category of his own. Honer is the Senior Vice President of Finance at Del Taco, a growing quick service restaurant Andy Puzder, CEO, CKE Restaurants, Inc. Mr. chain with over 300 company and 245 fran- Puzder is CEO of CKE Restaurants Holdings, chise units in 17 states. Pete has been with Del Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. Taco since 2000 and is responsible for all Puzder is broadly credited with resurrecting financial planning, analysis and asset manage- Hardee’s and turning CKE from a heavily ment functions for the company. Before joining Del Taco in indebted company with declining profits and 2000, he also worked for the oil and gas and healthcare sales to a profitable, stable and growing industries. Pete earned a Bachelor of Science degree in company. Prior to joining CKE, Puzder served as EVP, Accounting at Arizona State University and a Masters in and General Counsel for Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Business Administration from the Graziadio School of and CEO of Santa Barbara Restaurant Group, Inc. Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Co-author of the book, “Job Creation: How It Really Works and Why Government Doesn’t Understand lt,” Puzder is a Fred LeFranc, Founder/CEO, Results Thru frequent commentator on economic, political and legal Strategy, Inc. Mr. LeFranc’s consultancy helps issues in Wall Street Journal, Orange County Register, companies, private equity, owners and C-level POLITICO, Fox Business and others. executives identify and implement strategies that deliver long-term sustainable success. He aids executives to modify their behavior and hone in on their natural strengths. Mr. LeFranc has served on the boards of restaurant and technology com- panies for over 30 years. Previously, he was President and COO of The Ruby Restaurant Group. Before that, he served as CEO, President and director of LT Acquisition Corp., owners of Louise’s Trattoria. Joey Reiman, CEO and Founder, BrightHouse. Ting Su, Co-founder of Eagle Rock Brewery Named One of the 100 people who will change and Eagle Rock Brewery Public Houses, grew the way the world thinks by Fast Company, Joey up in a hard-working restaurant family in south- Reiman is CEO & Founder of the global consul- west Florida. Ting is a graduate of Emory tancy BrightHouse, a company whose mission University with a B.S. in biology and holds a is to bring greater purpose to the business Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the world. Reiman’s frameworks and methodologies University of Southern California, practicing have been adopted by the world’s most prestigious organiza- pediatric physical therapy for 10 years before leaving to fully tions including The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, invest her time managing the daily operations for Eagle Rock McDonald’s, Chrysler and KPMG. Reiman’s newest book, Brewery. Somehow, someway, Ting finds time in her The Story of Purpose: The Path to Creating a Brighter demanding schedule to also serve as a judge in the Beer Brand, a Greater Company, and a Lasting Legacy, follows in Judge Certification Program (BJCP) and is a Pink Boots the tradition of his breakthrough business book, Thinking For Society member. In addition, Ting is involved with a number A Living, which created a global movement celebrating the of civic activities, hosting a successful monthly Women’s power of ideas. Reiman has helped build Applebee’s, was Beer Forum at the brewery, and consults with various com- the architect of McDonald’s turn around in the U.S. and munity groups and local businesses to organize craft beer guided The Coca-Cola Company and the Carlsberg Group gardens and events throughout the year. to greater purpose and profit. Finding little good fare on his arrival to Atlanta in 1996 from New York City, he built his Christopher Thornberg, Founding Partner, own restaurant, Horseradish Grill, which would become one Beacon Economics. Christopher Thornberg is of this nation’s top restaurants according to Esquire widely considered to be one of California’s Magazine. For over a decade, Reiman has been teaching leading economists. An expert in economic Ideation – a term he coined – as an adjunct professor at forecasting, regional economics, labor markets, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Joey is a fre- economic policy, and industry and real estate quent marketing and branding guest expert on CNN, and is analysis, he was one of the earliest and most a monthly columnist for BE Magazine, created by Mahatma adamant predictors of the sub-prime mortgage market Gandhi’s grandson, Arun Gandhi. World-enowned Professor collapse and of the global economic recession that followed Philip Kotler calls Reiman, “The Moses of Marketing”. in 2008. Dr. Thornberg serves on the advisory boards of Paulson & Co. Inc., one of Wall Street’s leading hedge Morgan Remmers, Manager, Local Business funds, and of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Outreach, Yelp, Inc. Ms. Remmers consults with Southern California’s largest not-for-profit business federation. local business owners interested in better Between 2008 and 2012 he served as a Chief Economic understanding Yelp and utilizing its free busi- Advisor to the California State Controller’s Office and was ness tools. She hosts webinars for business Chair of Controller John Chiang’s Council of Economic owners and contributes to Yelp’s, Blog for Advisors. Dr. Thornberg holds a Ph.D in Business Economics Business Owners. Ms. Remmers also works from The Anderson School at UCLA, and a B.S. degree in with Yelp’s small business advisory council and acts as a Business Administration from the State University of New liaison between the small-business community and different York at Buffalo. divisions within Yelp. Prior to joining Yelp in early 2011, she worked in the public relations industry, focusing on luxury Tyler Wilson, Partner, Wurstküche Restaurant. real estate, travel, and lifestyle brands. She graduated from After spending four years of applying and re the University of Washington. applying to the Marshall School of Business, Tyler left USC without a degree to open Shannon Scott, Executive Director, Marketing Wurstküche Restaurant with his cousin in Communications, Applebee’s, leads the brand’s downtown Los Angeles, CA. Selling gourmet guest-facing communication strategy and and exotic sausages paired with Belgium and execution, advertising, epic digital and social German Beers, Wurstküche Restaurant has established media, menu design and engineering, in- itself as one of the top restaurant destinations in the city. restaurant communications, branded entertain- Tyler has recently opened the second Wurstküche ment, and overall agency leadership. With over Restaurant in Venice, CA. 20 years of marketing experience, Shannon has marketed everything from telephone services at Sprint to building materials at Payless Cashways. All roads have led here and she’s always looking forward, appropriately fulfilling the Applebee’s brand promise of “See You Tomorrow.” Conference Sponsors
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