2024 Speakers
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Robert Byrne
Senior Director, Consumer Research, Technomic Robert Byrne leads Technomic’s comprehensive foodservice consumer tracking program, which provides ongoing chain brand health, consumer usage and attitude tracking for restaurants and convenience retailers. He also specializes in crafting custom content and presentations utilizing consumer, menu and industry insights. Robert is an expert in interpreting the impact that current and emerging foodservice consumer trends may have on business, and helps clients tackle tough questions to better inform their strategy and approach. |
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Jeff Creswell
Region Director of Business Specialists, Sysco Jeff Creswell was a long-time chef and operator in the hospitality/service industry. Now on the foodservice side - product sourcing, local farmers/producers, consulting and identifying solutions with Sysco Foodservice. Jeff is now the Director of Business Specialists for the Great Lakes Region, deploying a team of category and culinary experts to help operators find solutions, develop menus, implement systems, stay up to date with trends and improve offerings to their customers. The Specialist Team acts purely as a resource for all operators. |
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Donna Herbel
Chief Igniter, Blue Phoenix Learning Donna Herbel is the Chief Igniter of Blue Phoenix Learning and the COO of Savii, a company dedicated to simplifying the complex world of employer-sponsored health insurance. With over two decades of experience in leadership development, training, and organizational culture, Donna brings a wealth of knowledge to the hospitality industry. As the former Vice President of Culture and Training at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Donna has been a driving force in shaping innovative training practices and fostering human-centered technology implementation. Her passion for igniting potential and sparking transformation has made her a sought-after executive coach, speaker, and trainer. Donna is an active member and past president of the CHART, an association committed to advancing the skills, knowledge and expertise of hospitality trainers and HR professionals. Her engaging presentations on leadership development, technology in training, and employee engagement have been featured at major industry events, including the NRA Show and CLO Symposium. With her infectious curiosity and dedication to professional growth, Donna is committed to helping individuals and organizations in the hospitality industry reach their full potential. When she's not setting the world of professional development ablaze, you might find her in the kitchen, cooking up her latest concoctions! |
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Kristine Hillmer
President & CEO, Wisconsin Restaurant Association and Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation Kristine Hillmer is the President & CEO Wisconsin Restaurant Association and Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation, representing 1,500 restaurants with more than 7,000 locations across the state. Kristine has an MBA, has held the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential for 26 years, and has more than 30 years of experience working with associations, including both trade and professional societies. Kristine currently serves as a Trustee on the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the Council of State Restaurant Association Board of Directors. And was named a Milwaukee Business Journal Woman of Influence in 2022. |
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Sam Horvath
Senior Account Manager, Datassential As a Senior Account Manager at Datassential, Sam Horvath leverages a data-driven approach to skillfully navigate the intricacies of the foodservice industry. She excels in providing valuable data-driven insights and crafting strategic solutions through her collaborations with numerous food/beverage manufacturers and restaurant operators. Datassential is a foodservice focused Market Research firm based in Chicago, IL. Datassential is revolutionizing the way food and beverage companies plan for the future. Our market-leading solutions, from AI-powered innovation tools and predictive analytics to unmatched market intelligence and proprietary data, are trusted by the top food and beverage companies. We empower foodservice leaders to make simply smarter decisions. |
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Dan Lindberg
MS, Director, Applied AI Lab, Waukesha County Technical College Dan is the Director of the Applied AI Lab at Waukesha County Technical College and program lead for WI’s first AI Data Specialist associate’s degree. Prior to this role, Dan founded Applied Economic Insight ® LLC, a consultancy that used econometrics, analytics, and tools of artificial intelligence to enhance living environments for aging populations. Prior to that, Dan built a market analytics offering at Direct Supply, Inc. and is a member of the National Association for Business Economics and the Institute of Business Forecasting and Planning. He has a Master of Science in Applied Economics and taught courses in business analytics and microeconomics at Marquette University. In 2022, Dan won the Contributed Paper Award with the National Association for Business Economics. |
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Erin Merritt
Director, Consumer Insights, Coca-Cola With over 10 years of experience in insights and brand management in the CPG, retail, and restaurant industries including brands such as MolsonCoors, Gallo Winery, Jack in the Box and Coca-Cola, Erin has developed a passion for developing multi-dimensional strategies that win from all angles - focusing on consumer, market, and business trends. Known for challenging the status quo, Erin strives to help brands see the full and complete picture of any initiative while bringing the voice of the consumer to life. With her passion for fresh thinking and building strategic relationships with industry thought leaders, Erin and her team strive to execute refreshing strategies for today, and beyond. |
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Hudson Riehle
Senior Vice President, Research and Knowledge Group, National Restaurant Association As the Senior Vice President of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association, Hudson Riehle directs the Association’s consumer, economic, technology, market, human resources, tourism and operations research as well as oversees its extensive knowledge center activities. Frequently cited by major national and international news organizations and appearing on national television broadcasts, he has authored a variety of articles and serves as an information source and spokesperson for the restaurant and hospitality industry. Mr. Riehle received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Skidmore College in New York and his Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Appointed by the Secretary of Labor, he has been a member of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Research Advisory Council; a former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Alexandria (VA) Convention and Visitors Association; a member of the Center for Food Integrity Consumer Research Advisory Panel and the Wharton Executive Advisory Panel; and is currently included in the current edition of Who’s Who in America. |
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Chip Romp
Sr. Director of Workforce and Business Services, National Restaurant Association & RestaurantOwner.com Chip brings over 25 years of experience in hospitality leadership and workforce development. In his current role, Chip oversees content and production for RestaurantOwner.com and collaborates with industry leaders to support and advance the restaurant workforce. His notable career achievements include contributing to the development of the Department of Labor's Hospitality Competency Model and establishing five registered apprenticeship programs. A seasoned presenter and industry advocate, Chip regularly works with the U.S. Military, State Workforce Departments, and various educational initiatives. Since joining the National Restaurant Association in 2015, he has continued to influence training and leadership programs nationwide. Previously, Chip served as Vice President of Training for Ovation Brands, where he led front- and back-of-house training programs, new employee onboarding, and leadership development for both field and corporate teams. He also held executive roles at Fazoli's Restaurant and Jillian’s Entertainment, overseeing training, development, and operations services. Chip's leadership and expertise are recognized across the industry, and he is a master trainer for both the National Restaurant Association and the Council for Hotel and Restaurant Trainers. |
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Bryant Vander Weerd
Founder and Creative Director, Full Pour Media Bryant is the Founder and Creative Director of Full Pour Media, an award-winning creative agency that specializes in the food and beverage industry. Full Pour Media works with clients both in US and abroad to plan, produce, and execute marketing and promotional strategies. Bryant has won three Emmy awards for his work and Full Pour Media has won 9 Craft Beer Marketing Awards for their work in marketing and storytelling. |
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Stacy Wilkes
Founder of Goddess.ai & Instructor at University of Wisconsin-Madison Stacy Wilkes is a trailblazer in ethical AI implementation, with a unique background in I/O Psychology and child welfare data analytics. As the founder of Goddess.ai (www.empowerherai.com) and an instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she's on a mission to democratize AI technology, making it accessible and beneficial to historically marginalized communities. Stacy's trauma-informed approach and commitment to social justice drive her work in empowering organizations to leverage AI responsibly. She equips leaders to navigate the AI landscape with confidence and ethical integrity, while championing diversity and inclusion in the tech sector. |
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