Chipotle founder to sit on NRA Show keynote panel

Chipotle founder to sit on NRA Show keynote panel
Tags: Associations, Fresh Mex, Trade Show, Trade or Association, Trends / Statistics
May 5, 2009

Chipotle founder and co-CEO Steve Ells will sit on an interactive keynote panel during the 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago.

The event, titled "Seize the Moment: Energize the Guest Experience and Drive Sales in This Economy," will be moderated by 12-time James Beard Award winning food journalist Steve Dolinsky, who will lead the open exchange between panelists and the audience.

The National Restaurant Association announced that five industry leaders will be part of the Keynote Executive Panel – a new event at this year's show. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions to the panel, which also include chef-owner Daniel Boulud; Buffalo Wild Wings' CEO Sally Smith; wine maker and restaurateur Joseph Bastianich and hospitality analytics entrepreneur Damian Mogavero.

The panel keynote discussion which will be held May 17 at 2 p.m. in the Vista Ballroom at Chicago's McCormick Place. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m.

"It is more important than ever for restaurants to redefine their value proposition to the guest," said Michael Kaufman, National Restaurant Association chairman and co-president of Enovo Restaurant Ventures LLC. "Show attendees will interact with experienced executives from some of the industry's top-performing companies across multiple segments, as they discuss their innovative and profitable strategies in this challenging economy."

The panelists are:

Joseph Bastianich, partner, B&B Hospitality Group. Bastianich's restaurants and wine businesses across the country include Babbo, Lupa, del Posto, and Italian Wine Merchants.
Daniel Boulud, chef-owner, The Dinex Group. Boulud's restaurants include DANIEL in NYC, Daniel Boulud Brasserie at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort, LumiÃ¨re in Vancouver, and Maison Boulud in Beijing.
Steve Ells, founder, chairman & CEO, Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Damian Mogavero, CEO & founder, Avero LLC. Avero analyzes food and beverage sales data to help operators improve profitability and the guest experience.
Sally Smith, president and CEO, Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., and National Restaurant Association treasurer.

After the panel discussion, Kaufman will hold a welcome address and will lead the Faces of Diversity awards ceremony. The awards program, created by the association in partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice, celebrates the restaurant industry's successes and proactive efforts to embrace workforce diversity and inclusion.