This is a must-attend session if you're seeking new strategies to increase your venue's revenue in 2024. Sid Patel, CEO of USA Trade Tasting, will engage in insightful discussions with top venue managers, offering practical advice based on real-world examples to help you boost revenues and profits. The panel will cover a range of topics, including increasing foot traffic, attracting new customers, improving conversions, upselling drinks, creating a profitable menu for 2024, enhancing ambiance to drive revenue, effective venue marketing, and strategies for customer retention.

Panel speakers include:

Julieta Campos, Beverage and Bar Operations Director at The Fifty/50 Group 

Mike Ryan, Global Beverage Director, Acurio International

Abraham Vucekovich, Leading Bartender of Chicago

Mark Braver, Director of Operations, Partner at The Fifty/50 Group

The panel is part of the USA Trade Tasting conference sessions running from 10am to 1pm on May 22 and 23. You can now purchase the 2 day conference pass here.

Image: Sid Patel, Moderator, CEO of Beverage Trade Network and USA Trade Tasting

Sid Patel is the founder of Beverage Trade Network, a company that hosts prominent events and trade shows worldwide, including USA Trade Tasting, International Bulk Wine and Spirits Shows, London Competitions, USA Ratings, Sommeliers Choice Awards, Paris Wine Cup, Cannabis Drinks Expo, and more. In addition to its impressive portfolio of events and competitions, Beverage Trade Network also manages a global network of media assets. The company is highly regarded for its innovative platform, BeverageTradeNetwork.com, which facilitates connections between brands and key players in the industry, such as importers, distributors, and retailers.

Image: Mike Ryan, Global Beverage Director, Acurio International, Chicago

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mike is well-equipped to take Acurio’s cocktail program to the next level. Acurio International, the foremost global restaurant company specializing in Peruvian cuisine, and for many years a leader in the promotion of Pisco and an innovator in its use, is proud to announce the appointment of Mike Ryan as its new Corporate Beverage Director. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Most recently, he served as the National Director of Bars at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where he was instrumental in shaping the beverage identity of dozens of unique restaurants within the company. In Mike’s new role, he will oversee Acurio’s global beverage program across all locations in the USA, LATAM, Europe, and the Middle East including the La Mar brand, Tanta, Yakumanka and new concept Jarana. He will be responsible for developing new and exciting beverage offerings, creating training programs for staff, implementing organizational systems, and ensuring that all locations are upholding Acurio International’s high standards for quality and service.

Image: Julieta Campos, Bar Operations Director at The Fifty/50 Group, Chicago

Julieta Campos joined The Fifty/50 Group in early 2012 with an expansive repertoire of skills and knowledge surrounding front-of-house and behind-the-scenes beverage operations. After jumpstarting her career at The Aviary, she spent the next several years honing her skills behind the bar at The Berkshire Room until she took over the beverage program at The Whistler. In 2018, Campos was recognized in NewsFeed’s 40 Under 40 list as a rising star in the industry. That same year, she also received a Jean Banchet Award nomination for Best Mixologist. In her role as director of beverage and bar operations, Campos primarily works with the bar teams at The Berkshire Room and Kindling, two of The Fifty/50 Group’s original cocktail-focused concepts.

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Image: Abraham Vucekovich, Beverage Director at Meadowlark Hospitality

Abraham Vucekovich has been appointed as the Beverage Director at Meadowlark Hospitality. He used to work in one of the country’s most serious temples to the cocktail, just a few L stops away, the Violet Hour. He will be taking the Bartenders and Bar Managers Masterclass With Bartender Spirits Awards Winners.

Image: Mark Braver, Director of Operations, Partner, The Fifty/50 Group

Mark Braver brings 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry to The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group. Mark began his career in his hometown of State College, Pennsylvania as a bar back and is proud of the fact that he has remained close with the people he cut his teeth with in the business all those years ago. His management portfolio includes leadership positions at major hospitality groups in Chicago, Philadelphia and New York City, including General Manager for 2 James Beard Award Winning Best Restaurateurs.

Mark has directed more than 30 restaurant openings from concept development through profitable operation. He is an expert in all areas of restaurant and bar operations including financial forecasting, formulating business plans and establishing proven operational systems with sustainability and profitability as cornerstones. He has extensive major market experience developing people and implementing food and beverage programs, training programs, operations and human resources guidelines, cloud-based electronic technologies, and design/construction.

The session is a part of USA Trade Tasting conference sessions running form 10am to 1pm on May 22 and May 23. You can now purchase the 2 day conference pass here. Conference ticket holders will also be able to walk the expo floor, attend the masterclasses and sit down tastings and attend the cocktail party on day 1.