About

 

 

 

 

Welcome to MEG 2024


Welcome to the heart of restaurant marketing innovation – MEG 2024. The Marketing Executives Group (MEG) is the National Restaurant Association’s signature event for marketing professionals, held every May in Chicago. While our in-person gathering is a highlight, your MEG experience extends beyond – you're joining a year-round network of professionals, creating a supportive community always within reach.

Who Attends  | Our Community | Event Steering Committee |  Event FAQs

 

 


"As the leader of a restaurant chain marketing department, I make it a priority to bring my team to MEG each year. The value of both the educational sessions and networking opportunities is priceless. The connections we make with other restaurant marketers from concepts both large and small and vendors that operate specifically in the restaurant space is unmatched."

Pam Nedwetzky, Director, Marketing
Grimaldi's Pizzeria

 

Who Attends MEG?

Marketing is complex and dynamic, which also sums up our attendees. MEG attendees represent the entire industry with half coming from large restaurant chains and the other half from local independent restaurants. 

With roles covering the realms of brand, digital, and field marketing our attendees range from the C-Suite to Directors and Managers. 

Here’s a sample of brands who attend:


Black Bear Diner     Darden Brands     Golden Corral     GSR Brands    Monical's Pizza     Pappas Restaurants     Smalls Sliders   The Old Spaghetti Factory

 

Join the MEG community

Community is the heart of MEG. We've built a unique environment for meaningful networking and fun encounters. From the opening reception to closing session you'll have an opportunity to mix and mingle with a community of professionals from restaurant brands, both small and large, who are invested in the success of the industry.

 

"MEG is one of the best conferences in the industry, not only for the education but for the connections that last a lifetime. The intimate setting of MEG allows attendees to really immerse themselves in trends best practices, and networking experiences."

Cassie Pickney, Vice President, Marketing for Gastamo Group

Steering Committee

Meet our dynamic steering committee members, the architects behind the event agenda. 

 


Annica Conrad (Chair)
Chief Brand Officer
City Barbeque, LLC

 


Dan Bejmuk (Vice Chair)
CEO & Co-Founder 
Dreambox

 


Lauren Berg    
Brand Manager
Darden Restaurants: The Capital Grille and The Capital Burger

 


Brandy Blackwell    
Vice President, Marketing
Another Broken Egg Café

 


         Alonso Castañeda        President, Pincho Burgers & Kebabs and Vice President, Brand Development & Strategy, Savory Restaurant Fund
 


Katherine Goldfaden
Vice President, Brand Strategy    
LM Restaurants 
   


Kaffee Hopkins
Vice President, Marketing & Administrative Officer
Sterling Hospitality: The Woodall & Marlow’s Tavern
 


Kim Lewis    
Chief Marketing Officer
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
 


Pam Nedwetzky
Director, Marketing
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
 


Cassie Pinckney
Vice President, Marketing
Gastamo Group
 


Corey Sax
Marketing Director
Pizza Luce
 

Stay in the know

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