NOTICE:

Summary

Below are the titles and descriptions for the roundtable session topics only. There are three (3) rounds of roundtables, please choose one table topic per round. If the topic is unavailable in one session, it may still be available in another session. For changes, please contact Rick Brunsman, ORHA at (407) 310-4168 or email: rbrunsman@ohiorestaurant.org.

SESSION 1 ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS:

Notice Block 1

Advocacy: Have Your Voice Heard in the Industry

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Allison DeRoberts, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) — Hospitality professionals have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the industry. Join this conversation on advocacy, relationship-building, and sharing your perspective with policymakers, community leaders, and industry stakeholders. Learn about practical ways to engage, build influence, and help create positive change for hospitality businesses and employees alike.

Building a Long-Term Career in Hospitality Leadership

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Brittany Saxton, Six Hundred Downtown — Hospitality careers rarely follow a straight path. Join this discussion on professional growth, career pivots, leadership development, and creating opportunities for advancement. Explore strategies for building a sustainable, fulfilling career while navigating change, expanding your skills, and staying engaged in an evolving industry.

Building Resilient Teams

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Erin Lutes, Four Entertainment Group (4EG) — Resilient teams adapt, persevere, and perform through change and uncertainty. Join this conversation on fostering trust, strengthening communication, developing problem-solving skills, and creating a culture of support and accountability. Explore leadership practices that help teams navigate challenges, maintain engagement, and thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

Career Advancement & Asking for More

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Kristen McNamara, Sysco — Advancing your career often requires advocating for yourself. Join this conversation on negotiating compensation, pursuing new opportunities, building confidence, and communicating your value. Explore practical strategies for asking for more—whether it's a promotion, increased responsibility, greater flexibility, or a seat at the table.

Creating Opportunity. Building Success.

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Sonya Delaney, Hospitality Institute of Ohio (HIO) — Hospitality has long been an industry of opportunity. Join a conversation about second-chance employment, workforce equity, and creating pathways for advancement. Learn how businesses can operate both ethically and profitably while building stronger teams, supporting employees, and fostering long-term success.

Decisions That Drive Growth

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: John Barker, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) — Growth rarely happens by accident. Join this discussion on the strategic decisions that shape business performance, profitability, and long-term success. Explore how leaders evaluate opportunities, manage risk, protect margins, and balance short-term realities with long-term goals in an ever-changing business environment.

Finding Your Voice in Rooms Where Decisions are Made

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Ellen Murphy, Performance Food Group (PFG) — Your expertise only creates impact when your voice is heard. Explore strategies for building influence, communicating with confidence, contributing effectively in high-stakes conversations, and navigating rooms where important decisions are made. Discuss how to speak up, earn credibility, and lead with authenticity in any setting.

Increase Loyalty & Value through Brand Authenticity

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Barb Burgie, Burgie MediaFusion — In today's landscape, customers & guests seek meaningful experiences and genuine human connection. As hospitality leaders, marketers and customer service professionals, understanding your brand is critical to being authentic and successful. You're invited to join in and discuss brand authenticity, how it drives loyalty and value, the power of connections when it comes to influence and referrals and how your role as a leader helps refine these experiences.

Leading People. Elevating Voices.

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Kathleen Day, Katalina's — Leadership is about more than directing people—it’s about helping them thrive. Explore how to develop talent, create pathways for growth, encourage diverse perspectives, and build a culture where team members feel confident contributing, solving problems, and bringing their best to the workplace.

Let's Talk Money: Reading Your P&L, Cost of Goods & Services and Prime Cost

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Kristen Phelps, Yours Truly Restaurants — You don’t have to be an accountant to understand the numbers that drive your business. Explore how to read a P&L, track food, beverage and labor costs, understand prime cost, and use financial data to make smarter decisions that improve profitability and performance.

Media, Reputation & Communicating with Confidence

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leaders: Diane Hurd, Inspire PR Group & Hannah Schuller, Inspire PR Group — Whether addressing guest concerns, navigating difficult conversations, speaking with the media, or leading through challenging situations, effective communication matters. Join this discussion on building trust, protecting your reputation, communicating with confidence under pressure, and using strategic storytelling to strengthen relationships with employees, guests, media, and the community.

Menu Engineering Profitability

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Faith Bevard, Impact Marketing Solutions & The Restaurant Solutionist — Restaurant marketing strategist Faith Bevard will share her 7 Deadly Menu Sins — and how to avoid them — before helping attendees tackle real menu, pricing and profitability challenges. As a consultant, fractional CMO and executive coach, she helps restaurant leaders build stronger brands, smarter marketing and more profitable businesses through practical, results-focused strategies.

Navigating Your Leadership Journey

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Toni Ronayne, The C Society — Every leadership journey is different. Join this interactive roundtable to explore the experiences, decisions, challenges, and opportunities that shape careers across generations. Through guided conversation, participants will share insights, discuss leadership lessons learned, and discover how authenticity, adaptability, and purpose can help them navigate their own evolving leadership paths.

Retention & Culture Systems that Work

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Natasha Chesnut, Skyline Chili — Recruiting great people is only half the challenge—keeping them is where culture matters most. Explore proven strategies for improving retention, building trust, increasing engagement, and creating systems that support accountability, development, and long-term success for both employees and hospitality businesses.

Serving with Intention: A Roundtable on Leadership & Empathy

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Gina Nicholson Kramer, Swan Dance Apothecary & Tea — Learn intentional leadership through the guiding principles of serving tea. By creating an atmosphere of harmony, respect, purity, and mindfulness, leaders learn to shift the focus from top-down authority to shared power and collaboration.

Smart Operations: Using Data & Technology

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Sue Graves, Experience Alive — From AI and guest data to scheduling, labor management, POS/RMS systems and emerging technologies, hospitality leaders have more tools than ever before. Join this conversation on evaluating technology investments, improving efficiency, enhancing the guest experience, and using data to make smarter operational and business decisions.

The Aligned Leader: Staying Grounded in Complex Times

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Kim Regis, DNP, RN, PNP-BC, NEA-BC, BCC, Kim Regis Consulting — This Roundtable explores practical ways leaders can stay grounded, present and values-aligned in high-pressure environments. Through sharing real-world experiences, guided reflection and discussion, participants will consider how to lead with greater clarity, resilience and authenticity while navigating complexity, decision fatigue and the demands of modern leadership.

The Importance of Mentorship

Roundtables Session 1

Summary

Leader: Lisa Gutierrez, Dos Hermanos — Great careers are rarely built alone. Explore the value of mentorship in developing skills, expanding networks, navigating challenges, and creating opportunities for growth. Discuss how to find the right mentors, cultivate meaningful professional relationships, and pay it forward by supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders.

SESSION 2 ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS:

Notice Block 2

Advocacy: Have Your Voice Heard in the Industry

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Allison DeRoberts, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) — Hospitality professionals have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the industry. Join this conversation on advocacy, relationship-building, and sharing your perspective with policymakers, community leaders, and industry stakeholders. Learn about practical ways to engage, build influence, and help create positive change for hospitality businesses and employees alike.

Building a Long-Term Career in Hospitality Leadership

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Brittany Saxton, Six Hundred Downtown — Hospitality careers rarely follow a straight path. Join this discussion on professional growth, career pivots, leadership development, and creating opportunities for advancement. Explore strategies for building a sustainable, fulfilling career while navigating change, expanding your skills, and staying engaged in an evolving industry.

Building Resilient Teams

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Erin Lutes, Four Entertainment Group (4EG) — Resilient teams adapt, persevere, and perform through change and uncertainty. Join this conversation on fostering trust, strengthening communication, developing problem-solving skills, and creating a culture of support and accountability. Explore leadership practices that help teams navigate challenges, maintain engagement, and thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

Career Advancement & Asking for More

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Kristen McNamara, Sysco — Advancing your career often requires advocating for yourself. Join this conversation on negotiating compensation, pursuing new opportunities, building confidence, and communicating your value. Explore practical strategies for asking for more—whether it's a promotion, increased responsibility, greater flexibility, or a seat at the table.

Creating Opportunity. Building Success.

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Sonya Delaney, Hospitality Institute of Ohio (HIO) — Hospitality has long been an industry of opportunity. Join a conversation about second-chance employment, workforce equity, and creating pathways for advancement. Learn how businesses can operate both ethically and profitably while building stronger teams, supporting employees, and fostering long-term success.

Decisions That Drive Growth

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: John Barker, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) — Growth rarely happens by accident. Join this discussion on the strategic decisions that shape business performance, profitability, and long-term success. Explore how leaders evaluate opportunities, manage risk, protect margins, and balance short-term realities with long-term goals in an ever-changing business environment.

Finding Your Voice in Rooms Where Decisions are Made

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Ellen Murphy, Performance Food Group (PFG) — Your expertise only creates impact when your voice is heard. Explore strategies for building influence, communicating with confidence, contributing effectively in high-stakes conversations, and navigating rooms where important decisions are made. Discuss how to speak up, earn credibility, and lead with authenticity in any setting.

Increase Loyalty & Value through Brand Authenticity

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Barb Burgie, Burgie MediaFusion — In today's landscape, customers & guests seek meaningful experiences and genuine human connection. As hospitality leaders, marketers and customer service professionals, understanding your brand is critical to being authentic and successful. You're invited to join in and discuss brand authenticity, how it drives loyalty and value, the power of connections when it comes to influence and referrals and how your role as a leader helps refine these experiences.

Leading People. Elevating Voices.

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Kathleen Day, Katalina's — Leadership is about more than directing people—it’s about helping them thrive. Explore how to develop talent, create pathways for growth, encourage diverse perspectives, and build a culture where team members feel confident contributing, solving problems, and bringing their best to the workplace.

Let's Talk Money: Reading Your P&L, Cost of Goods & Services and Prime Cost

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Kristen Phelps, Yours Truly Restaurants — You don’t have to be an accountant to understand the numbers that drive your business. Explore how to read a P&L, track food, beverage and labor costs, understand prime cost, and use financial data to make smarter decisions that improve profitability and performance.

Media, Reputation & Communicating with Confidence

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leaders: Diane Hurd, Inspire PR Group & Hannah Schuller, Inspire PR Group — Whether addressing guest concerns, navigating difficult conversations, speaking with the media, or leading through challenging situations, effective communication matters. Join this discussion on building trust, protecting your reputation, communicating with confidence under pressure, and using strategic storytelling to strengthen relationships with employees, guests, media, and the community.

Menu Engineering Profitability

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Faith Bevard, Impact Marketing Solutions & The Restaurant Solutionist — Restaurant marketing strategist Faith Bevard will share her 7 Deadly Menu Sins — and how to avoid them — before helping attendees tackle real menu, pricing and profitability challenges. As a consultant, fractional CMO and executive coach, she helps restaurant leaders build stronger brands, smarter marketing and more profitable businesses through practical, results-focused strategies.

Navigating Your Leadership Journey

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Toni Ronayne, The C Society — Every leadership journey is different. Join this interactive roundtable to explore the experiences, decisions, challenges, and opportunities that shape careers across generations. Through guided conversation, participants will share insights, discuss leadership lessons learned, and discover how authenticity, adaptability, and purpose can help them navigate their own evolving leadership paths.

Retention & Culture Systems that Work

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Natasha Chesnut, Skyline Chili — Recruiting great people is only half the challenge—keeping them is where culture matters most. Explore proven strategies for improving retention, building trust, increasing engagement, and creating systems that support accountability, development, and long-term success for both employees and hospitality businesses.

Serving with Intention: A Roundtable on Leadership & Empathy

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Gina Nicholson Kramer, Swan Dance Apothecary & Tea — Learn intentional leadership through the guiding principles of serving tea. By creating an atmosphere of harmony, respect, purity, and mindfulness, leaders learn to shift the focus from top-down authority to shared power and collaboration.

Smart Operations: Using Data & Technology

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Sue Graves, Experience Alive — From AI and guest data to scheduling, labor management, POS/RMS systems and emerging technologies, hospitality leaders have more tools than ever before. Join this conversation on evaluating technology investments, improving efficiency, enhancing the guest experience, and using data to make smarter operational and business decisions.

The Aligned Leader: Staying Grounded in Complex Times

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Kim Regis, DNP, RN, PNP-BC, NEA-BC, BCC, Kim Regis Consulting — This Roundtable explores practical ways leaders can stay grounded, present and values-aligned in high-pressure environments. Through sharing real-world experiences, guided reflection and discussion, participants will consider how to lead with greater clarity, resilience and authenticity while navigating complexity, decision fatigue and the demands of modern leadership.

The Importance of Mentorship

Roundtables Session 2

Summary

Leader: Lisa Gutierrez, Dos Hermanos — Great careers are rarely built alone. Explore the value of mentorship in developing skills, expanding networks, navigating challenges, and creating opportunities for growth. Discuss how to find the right mentors, cultivate meaningful professional relationships, and pay it forward by supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders.

SESSION 3 ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS:

Notice Block 3

Advocacy: Have Your Voice Heard in the Industry

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Allison DeRoberts, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) — Hospitality professionals have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the industry. Join this conversation on advocacy, relationship-building, and sharing your perspective with policymakers, community leaders, and industry stakeholders. Learn about practical ways to engage, build influence, and help create positive change for hospitality businesses and employees alike.

Building a Long-Term Career in Hospitality Leadership

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Brittany Saxton, Six Hundred Downtown — Hospitality careers rarely follow a straight path. Join this discussion on professional growth, career pivots, leadership development, and creating opportunities for advancement. Explore strategies for building a sustainable, fulfilling career while navigating change, expanding your skills, and staying engaged in an evolving industry.

Building Resilient Teams

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Erin Lutes, Four Entertainment Group (4EG) — Resilient teams adapt, persevere, and perform through change and uncertainty. Join this conversation on fostering trust, strengthening communication, developing problem-solving skills, and creating a culture of support and accountability. Explore leadership practices that help teams navigate challenges, maintain engagement, and thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

Career Advancement & Asking for More

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Kristen McNamara, Sysco — Advancing your career often requires advocating for yourself. Join this conversation on negotiating compensation, pursuing new opportunities, building confidence, and communicating your value. Explore practical strategies for asking for more—whether it's a promotion, increased responsibility, greater flexibility, or a seat at the table.

Creating Opportunity. Building Success.

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Sonya Delaney, Hospitality Institute of Ohio (HIO) — Hospitality has long been an industry of opportunity. Join a conversation about second-chance employment, workforce equity, and creating pathways for advancement. Learn how businesses can operate both ethically and profitably while building stronger teams, supporting employees, and fostering long-term success.

Decisions That Drive Growth

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: John Barker, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) — Growth rarely happens by accident. Join this discussion on the strategic decisions that shape business performance, profitability, and long-term success. Explore how leaders evaluate opportunities, manage risk, protect margins, and balance short-term realities with long-term goals in an ever-changing business environment.

Finding Your Voice in Rooms Where Decisions are Made

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Ellen Murphy, Performance Food Group (PFG) — Your expertise only creates impact when your voice is heard. Explore strategies for building influence, communicating with confidence, contributing effectively in high-stakes conversations, and navigating rooms where important decisions are made. Discuss how to speak up, earn credibility, and lead with authenticity in any setting.

Increase Loyalty & Value through Brand Authenticity

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Barb Burgie, Burgie MediaFusion — In today's landscape, customers & guests seek meaningful experiences and genuine human connection. As hospitality leaders, marketers and customer service professionals, understanding your brand is critical to being authentic and successful. You're invited to join in and discuss brand authenticity, how it drives loyalty and value, the power of connections when it comes to influence and referrals and how your role as a leader helps refine these experiences.

Leading People. Elevating Voices.

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Kathleen Day, Katalina's — Leadership is about more than directing people—it’s about helping them thrive. Explore how to develop talent, create pathways for growth, encourage diverse perspectives, and build a culture where team members feel confident contributing, solving problems, and bringing their best to the workplace.

Let's Talk Money: Reading Your P&L, Cost of Goods & Services and Prime Cost

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Kristen Phelps, Yours Truly Restaurants — You don’t have to be an accountant to understand the numbers that drive your business. Explore how to read a P&L, track food, beverage and labor costs, understand prime cost, and use financial data to make smarter decisions that improve profitability and performance.

Media, Reputation & Communicating with Confidence

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leaders: Diane Hurd, Inspire PR Group & Hannah Schuller, Inspire PR Group — Whether addressing guest concerns, navigating difficult conversations, speaking with the media, or leading through challenging situations, effective communication matters. Join this discussion on building trust, protecting your reputation, communicating with confidence under pressure, and using strategic storytelling to strengthen relationships with employees, guests, media, and the community.

Menu Engineering Profitability

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Faith Bevard, Impact Marketing Solutions & The Restaurant Solutionist — Restaurant marketing strategist Faith Bevard will share her 7 Deadly Menu Sins — and how to avoid them — before helping attendees tackle real menu, pricing and profitability challenges. As a consultant, fractional CMO and executive coach, she helps restaurant leaders build stronger brands, smarter marketing and more profitable businesses through practical, results-focused strategies.

Navigating Your Leadership Journey

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Toni Ronayne, The C Society — Every leadership journey is different. Join this interactive roundtable to explore the experiences, decisions, challenges, and opportunities that shape careers across generations. Through guided conversation, participants will share insights, discuss leadership lessons learned, and discover how authenticity, adaptability, and purpose can help them navigate their own evolving leadership paths.

Retention & Culture Systems that Work

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Natasha Chesnut, Skyline Chili — Recruiting great people is only half the challenge—keeping them is where culture matters most. Explore proven strategies for improving retention, building trust, increasing engagement, and creating systems that support accountability, development, and long-term success for both employees and hospitality businesses.

Serving with Intention: A Roundtable on Leadership & Empathy

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Gina Nicholson Kramer, Swan Dance Apothecary & Tea — Learn intentional leadership through the guiding principles of serving tea. By creating an atmosphere of harmony, respect, purity, and mindfulness, leaders learn to shift the focus from top-down authority to shared power and collaboration.

Smart Operations: Using Data & Technology

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Sue Graves, Experience Alive — From AI and guest data to scheduling, labor management, POS/RMS systems and emerging technologies, hospitality leaders have more tools than ever before. Join this conversation on evaluating technology investments, improving efficiency, enhancing the guest experience, and using data to make smarter operational and business decisions.

The Aligned Leader: Staying Grounded in Complex Times

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Kim Regis, DNP, RN, PNP-BC, NEA-BC, BCC, Kim Regis Consulting — This Roundtable explores practical ways leaders can stay grounded, present and values-aligned in high-pressure environments. Through sharing real-world experiences, guided reflection and discussion, participants will consider how to lead with greater clarity, resilience and authenticity while navigating complexity, decision fatigue and the demands of modern leadership.

The Importance of Mentorship

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

Leader: Lisa Gutierrez, Dos Hermanos — Great careers are rarely built alone. Explore the value of mentorship in developing skills, expanding networks, navigating challenges, and creating opportunities for growth. Discuss how to find the right mentors, cultivate meaningful professional relationships, and pay it forward by supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders.

1TBD

Roundtables Session 3

Summary

I don't know yet. Will select Later