Welcome Remarks & Keynote Introduction:
Lenore O'Meara, HT Publisher

OPENING KEYNOTE:

INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES FOR DRIVING GROWTH

Top-level executive from one the nation’s most growth-oriented chains shares insights into the company’s macro approach to achieving sustainable growth. This high-level presentation will showcase the role that innovation plays in today’s successes.

Attendee ROI

• How to achieve sustainable growth
• Keeping pace with the market and competition
• Innovation as an enabler

GENERAL SESSION #1
GIVING GUESTS A REASON TO RETURN

Speaker: Gilbert Melott, Chief Operating & People Officer, Cosi, Inc.

Give guests a reason to return, and they will. Loyalty and CRM tools should take operators beyond coupons to really capture the attention of today’s savvy consumer. A leading operator shares innovative strategies.

Attendee ROI

• Enhancing existing customer loyalty
• Knowing your guest
• Achieving new levels of customer satisfaction

GENERAL SESSION #2 (PANEL)
FINANCE-BASED DECISION MAKING

In this panel discussion, a leading financial analyst discusses with CFOs the role that finance plays in the decision making process, and how it impacts growth. This interesting perspective will examine the role that financial issues should play, and where financial concerns may not trump other factors.

Attendee ROI

• Financial factors in achieving growth
• Building buy-in
• Analyst's perspective

TOPIC TABLE LUNCHEON
* Including 5 topic tables

GENERAL SESSION #3
LOCATION GROWTH: Geography, Demographics, Site Selection and Beyond

Location, location, location. A leading operator discusses the core factors to consider when choosing new sites for your business. Factors are weighed against each other and innovative strategies are identified.

Attendee ROI

• Determining your core guests' demographics
• Entering a competitor's market
• Research methods

GENERAL SESSION #4 (PANEL)
NEXT-GENERATION TECNOLOGIES FOR ENABLING GROWTH

Moderator: Dr. Sheryl Kimes, Professor of Operations Management, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

Brought into the line-up by audience demand, this session will examine specific technologies that are geared at enabling growth. Topics may include new payment methods, including SMS and mobile options, secure networking options, off-site call centers, self-service, language systems and more. Panel participants from leading operators share their successes with these and other systems.

Attendee ROI

• Outline of specific technologies and their benefits
• Enpowering employees with technology
• Achieving consumer acceptance

COFFEE NETWORKING BREAK

Speaker: Nicholas Vojnovic, President, Family Sports Concepts, Inc.

In this session, an executive from a leading operator discusses how to build a workforce that is both motivated to carry out the company mission, and is accountable for their role and responsibilities -- two contrasting and equally valuable attributes.

Attendee ROI

• What motivates employees
• Building employee buy-in for accountability
• Tactics for maintaining momentum

DAY TWO OPENING COMMENTS:
Abigail Lorden, HT Editor

SECOND DAY KEYNOTE

STRATEGIC BRAND MARKETING

Speaker: Sheri Miksa, President & CEO, Robeks Corporation

President and CEO of Robeks Corp., one of the nation's fastest growing healthy lifestyle franchises, discusses the role that strategic brand marketing has playing in the company’s success. Successful campaigning, strategies and tactics are discussed.

Attendee ROI

• The role of marketing in brand building
• Marketing and audience demographics
• Launching a successful campaign

GENERAL SESSION #6 (PANEL)
SECURING PAYMENTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

This session discusses the core elements that operators face with regard to debit and credit card security. Top issues include: understanding the Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standard, networking for security, monitoring and reporting

Attendee ROI

• Identifying weaknesses in your payment practices
• Technologies that enable security
• Reporting and monitoring

Networking Coffee Break

Discussion Participants (2):
1) COO / CMO – marketing your concept/brand for growth & investment
2) PE Firm / Venture Capitalist – criteria when looking for a sound investment

This innovative discussion features an executive from a growth-focused restaurant operation with an eye to new initiatives and concepts, and a representative from a private equity firm. Together they will share insights into the process of taking a vision from the boardroom to the front-end, from idea to roll-out.

Attendee ROI

• Building buy-in for your ideas
• Qualities that investors want
• Staying on track