Agenda

This year’s conference brings together the conversations, ideas, and expertise that remind us why the human element matters most—especially in the age of AI. Each session is shaped by leaders who believe in elevating the personal connections, empathy, and creativity that set great marketing apart. Learn more about them here.

Unless otherwise noted, all events will take place at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, in the Imperial Ballroom on the B2 Level.
 

May 13, 2026
 

4:00 - 7:30 pm

Registration Open
Location: Imperial Ballroom Foyer (B2 Level)
 

5:00 - 5:30 pm

First-Timers Reception
Location: Imperial Ballroom Foyer (B2 Level)

Your first connection starts here. Grab your name badge and join fellow first-timers and MEG Steering Committee members for a relaxed meetup before the Welcome Party.
 

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Welcome Party 
Location: Millennium Room (Lobby Level)

Join us for a Speakeasy-Inspired Casino Welcome Party!
Enjoy Coke-crafted signature cocktails and mocktails, classic casino games including Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette, and elevated food stations designed for easy mingling. 
Presented by:  

7:30 pm

Dinner on your own

May 14, 2026
 

7:30 - 8:45 am

Breakfast
 

8:45 - 9:00 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks  
 

9:00 - 10:00 am

Unreasonable Hospitality: How Giving People More Than They Expect Can Get You To #1

Speaker: Will Guidara, Restaurateur, Eleven Madison Park, The #1 Restaurant in the World; New York Times Bestselling Author, Unreasonable Hospitality

Will Guidara transformed Eleven Madison Park from a modest brasserie into the best restaurant in the world—by putting human connection at the center of everything. In this keynote, he shares how embracing a “one size fits one” philosophy and elevating the guest experience beyond expectations can create magic. With powerful takeaways for leaders, teams, and brands, Will shows how unreasonable hospitality can help you win—by making people feel truly seen, valued, and unforgettable.
 

10:00 - 10:30 am

Networking Break
Sponsored by:  
 

10:30 - 11:30 am

Chasing the Consumer: Where Food Dollars Are Moving Now

Speakers:
Jane Hurh, Strategy Lead, The Culinary Edge
Betty Kaufman, Strategy Director, The Culinary Edge

Evolving consumer priorities are driving a redistribution of spend across at-home and dining-out occasions. This session takes a comprehensive, data-driven look at current and emerging consumer behaviors shaping the restaurant industry, leveraging proprietary retail shopper insights and restaurant traffic analysis to uncover what's truly driving purchase decisions. As traditional market boundaries blur between retail and restaurants, we move beyond legacy channel definitions to focus on the underlying consumer needs, motivations, and decision- drivers redefining how, where, and why people buy food. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of these shifts and actionable strategies to capture the consumer's dollars in an increasingly fluid and competitive landscape.
 

11:30 am – 12:15 pm

Influence That Connects: How Brands and Creators Drive Real Impact

Moderator: Jamie Izaks, President, All Points Public Relations
Panelists:
Jami Horowitz Kimbrough, Vice President, Marketing, Surcheros Fresh Mex 
Ike Shehadeh, Founder, Ike's Love & Sandwiches
Srishti Handa, Vice President, Marketing, Dave's Hot Chicken

This conversation explores how restaurant brands are shifting from polished, curated content to authentic storytelling that truly resonates. Learn why micro influencers, internal leaders, and real-world vulnerability are becoming powerful tools for trust and differentiation.

Panelists will share practical examples showing how transparency and human connection translate into stronger engagement and measurable business outcomes.
 

12:15 – 1:15 pm  

Lunch
 

1:15–1:45 pm

The Community-First Playbook: Why Online Communities Belong in Every Restaurant Marketing Strategy

Speaker: Austin Froid, Client Partner, Reddit

This session explores the power of online communities and what makes them uniquely valuable in today's digital landscape. Rather than focusing on any single brand's strategy, it will show how communities organically form around shared passions like food and dining, and how restaurant brands have tapped into them to spark authentic engagement and meaningful conversation. Attendees will walk away with actionable ways to think about community as a marketing channel and how to thoughtfully integrate community-driven platforms into their overall strategy.
 

1:45 – 2:30 pm

The New Realities of Digital Paid Media: Where to Invest and Why, A Direct Marketing Perspective

Speaker: Stephen Farr-Jones, Chief Strategy Officer, Triadex

In today's restaurant landscape, digital media performance often fails to translate into real business outcomes. This session reframes paid media as an economic system focused on driving profitable visits, not just clicks.

Attendees will learn how to close the measurement gap, shift from broad awareness to precision targeting, and use offer-driven strategies that influence customer behavior through a direct marketing lens. The session highlights the importance of location-based planning, first-party data, and disciplined testing to improve ROI.

Key takeaways include building scalable systems that connect audience, offer, and measurement to drive sustainable growth.
 

2:30 - 3:00 pm

Networking Break

Sponsored by:    
 

3:00 – 4:45 pm 

 Connection Conversations

These Connection Conversations (our refreshed take on the classic Roundtable discussion) offer a space to share real experiences, exchange ideas, and explore today’s challenges with peers across the industry. Guided by subject-matter experts, each conversation is built around human insight, collaboration, and practical takeaways.

You’ll select up to three topics during registration (each topic can only be chosen once), and each table accommodates up to 10 participants to keep the dialogue focused and meaningful. Each round lasts 30 minutes, with a brief transition before you move on to your next conversation topic.

Table Numbers & Topics:

• #1: The Future of Catering: Trends and Tactics for Success
  • Moderator: James Schonzeit, Head of Food & Beverage, Square
• #2: Smart Spending: Navigating Media Budgets in a Digital Age
  • Moderator: Nick Toomey, Senior Manager, Customer Marketing, The Coca-Cola Company
• #3: Loyalty Campaigns & Tactics to Keep Legacy Programs Fresh & Engaging
  • Moderator: Scott Johns, Senior Brand Executive, TCAG
• #4: Loyalty Launch Pad: Designing & Architecting a New Loyalty Program
  • Moderator: Ivan Matkovic, Vice President, New Verticals, Olo
• #5: Leveraging Third-Party Data: Segmentation, Validation & Vendor Narratives
  • Moderator: Casey Hilder, Director, Restaurant Growth, Loop AI
• #6: Unlocking First-Party Data: Turning Insights into Action
  • Moderator: Abhinav Kapur, Co-Founder & CEO, Bikky
• #7: Community Connect: Elevating Local Store Marketing
  • Moderator: Kristine Mylls, Marketing, Mere Bulles Restaurant/Green Hills Grille
• #8: Crafting LTOs: Ideas to Execution
  • Moderators: Maggie Fung, Director, Menu Innovation + Brand, Lazy Dog Restaurant + Bar, and Jim Ramella, Owner, Cleveland Menu
• #9: Streamlined Success: Marketing & Ops Collaboration
  • Moderator: Kaitlin Kees, Senior Director, Marketing, Krystal Restaurants
• #10: Proving Marketing's Value: Metrics that Move the Needle
  • Moderator: Dan Bejmuk, CEO & Co-Founder, Dreambox
• #11: Marketing Strategies for New Restaurant Openings
  • ​​​​​​​Moderator: Brandy Blackwell, Digital Advisor, Playa Bowls
• #12: Brand Evolution: Shifting Your Positioning
  • ​​​​​​​Moderator: Liz Seelye, Founder & CEO, StarryEyed Strategy
• #13: Maximizing AI Potential in Marketing
  • ​​​​​​​Moderator: Corey Sax, Director, Marketing, Pizza Luce
• #14: Career Catalysts: Building Influence & Relationships Beyond MEG
  • ​​​​​​​Moderator: Carina McLaughlin, Senior Brand Marketing Manager, Nestle Professional Solutions
• #15: Quick Wins: Fast-Track Sales Through Smart Marketing
  • ​​​​​​​Moderator: Jessica Anselmi, Hospitality Practice Lead, Klaviyo
• #16: Influencer ROI: Micro vs. Macro, Earned vs. Owned Strategies
  • Moderator: Natalie Hurley, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Layne's Chicken Fingers
• #17: Third-Party Delivery: Navigating Partnerships & Customer Experience 
  • ​​​​​​​Moderator: Stephen Martino, Senior Marketing Manager, Union Square Hospitality Group
• #18: Brand Collaborations: Driving Buzz Through Strategic Partnerships
  • Moderator: Shelby Elmore, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group 
• #19: Content Creation in the Age of Short-Form Video: TikTok, Reels & Beyond
  • ​​​​​​​Moderator: Austin Downs, Digital Marketing Manager, Starbird
     

5:30 pm

Bus Transportation to MEG Night Out at Soldier Field
 

6:00 – 8:00 pm

MEG Night Out at Soldier Field

Join us for a relaxed night at one of Chicago's most iconic landmarks. We'll gather in the Miller Lite Midway Club for great food, drinks, and plenty of space to unwind. Plus, you'll have the chance to step out into the stadium seating for an unforgettable view of Solider Field.

8:00 pm

Free Night Out

May 15, 2026
 

8:00 – 9:00 am

Breakfast
 

9:00 – 10:00 am

Hospitality First: How Marketing Leaders Blend Human Connection and AI to Elevate the Guest Experience

Moderator: Nichole Robillard, Chief Marketing Officer (Fractional), The C Society
Panelists:
Michael Alberici, Chief Marketing Officer, Small Sliders
Kaffee Hopkins, Vice President, Marketing & Administrative Officer, Marlow's Tavern
Esther Mcllvain,  Vice President, Marketing, Hawkers Asian Street Food

We'll explore how human connection comes first, how AI supports personalization and brand reputation, and how marketing partners with operations to deliver consistent, branded hospitality. 
 

10:00 – 10:30 am

Networking Break
 

10:30 am – 12:30 pm

From Curiosity to Capability: Human‑Centered Marketing in the Age of AI (Hands‑On Workshop)
 
Speaker: Aaron Newton, Chief Data Officer & Co-Founder, Thanx

NOTE: Please bring your laptop for this interactive session.
 
AI is reshaping how marketers create, communicate, and connect. This interactive session helps you understand how to use AI in a human‑centered way—and gives you hands‑on experience applying it to real marketing challenges.
 
This session includes:

• Foundations talk: An overview of the personal, team, and business AI journeys, and how to guide AI to support more authentic and human brand experiences.
• Hands‑on workshop: Create your own business context file and use it to explore a real challenge you’re facing today—no technical expertise required.
• Panel conversation: Hear marketers share real examples, lessons learned, and practical realities of integrating AI into creative work, team processes, and customer engagement. Panelists include Kim Lewis Chief Marketing & Technology Officer at Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, and Ha Ly, Chief Marketing Officer at Pokeworks.
• Roundtable share‑out: Compare the most compelling AI‑generated ideas with peers and expand your sense of what’s possible.
• A look ahead: Explore what AI will mean for customer expectations, team capabilities, and vendor relationships over the next 12–24 months.

Attendees will leave with clarity, momentum, and their first meaningful step toward a future where human connection and AI work hand in hand.
 

12:30 pm

Closing Remarks