Xperience Stages

The CatersourceXperience Room will feature interactive 30-minute presentations on three small stages showcasing the newest culinary techniques, latest design trends, and cutting-edge marketing ideas including social media.

In addition to the 100+ sessions that are part of the Catersource educational program, the Xperience Stages will bring you 50 presentations at The Cosmopolitan and 40 at the Tradeshow, doubling your educational options at this year's Conference!

TUESDAY @ The Tradeshow

12:45pm - 1:15pm    
BUSINESS    Buying the Family Business: The Good, The Bad and the Reality
    Anthony Lambatos, Owner
    Footers Catering, Englewood CO

DESIGN    Planning Flawless Events in Tents from Conception to Completion
    Dan Hoch, Event Director
    Feastivities Events, Philadelphia PA

CULINARY    Cooking Vegas Style with Jet Tila
    Jet Tila, Executive Chef
    Wazuzu Pan Asian Bistro, Las Vegas NV

1:25pm - 1:55pm    
BUSINESS    How to Sell Like a Pro: Create a Personal Success Plan
    Jim Crick, Vice President
    Sullivan University, Louisville KY

DESIGN    Culinary Trends Forecast, Part 1
    Heinz Lauer & Chef’s Panel
    Executive Chef and Culinary Department Chair
    Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Las Vegas NV

CULINARY    Sugar Fix Live. A Demo of the Desserts Featured in
    the Sugar Fix Class
    Andy Snow, Owner
    Feastivities Events, Philadelphia PA

2:05pm - 2:35pm   
BUSINESS    Selling to the Modern Bride, Her Groom, Her Father,
    Her Bridesmaids and the Kitchen Sink
    Ali Phillips, Owner
    Engaging Events by Ali, Chicago IL

DESIGN    Culinary Trends Forecast, Part 2
    Heinz Lauer & Chef’s Panel
    Executive Chef and Culinary Department Chair
    Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Las Vegas NV

CULINARY    ACF Culinary Awards: Cold Salon

2:45pm - 3:15pm   
BUSINESS    Effective Meetings: Keep Them Short, Sweet, and Effective
    Stephen Zilli, Director of Operations
    Zilli Hospitality Group, Waukesha WI

DESIGN    Stylish Garnishes and Vessels for Butler-Passed Appetizers
    Kimberly Jones, Professional Catering Department Chair
    Sullivan University, Louisville KY

CULINARY    Caffeine Fiend: Beyond the Beverage
    Andrew Alexander-Crossan, Executive Chef / Owner
    and Lisa Teiger, Owner
    CuisineEtc. Catering & Special Events, Forest Hills NY

3:25pm - 3:55pm   
BUSINESS    Five Reasons Why I’ll Leave Your Website in 5 Seconds
    Alan Berg, Vice President
    The Knot Market Intelligence, Kendall Park NJ

DESIGN    Under the Canopy: What’s New in Tent Design and Décor
    Susan Kidwell, General Manager
    Classic Party Rentals, San Francisco CA

CULINARY    Rolling On!! An Interview with a Food Truck Vendor
    Linda West, Host, Director of Education
    Catersource, Houston TX

4:05pm - 4:35pm   
BUSINESS    Manage Profit, Not Percentages, to Increase Your Bottom Line
    Jenifer Delaye, CEO and Drew Miller, CFO
    The JDK Group, Camp Hill PA

DESIGN    Making Money on Gluten-Free, Kosher, Halal, Diabetic
    and Other Special Diets
    Don Tymchuck, President
    Med-Diet, Inc / Food Service Express, Plymouth MN

CULINARY    Crafted Beer and Catered Food: A Beer Pairing Menu
    Kimberly Jones, Professional Catering Department Chair
    Sullivan University, Louisville KY

4:45pm - 5:15pm   
BUSINESS    A Dozen Proven Ideas to Improve Quality Everywhere
    Stephen Zilli, Director of Operations
    Zilli Hospitality Group, Waukesha WI

DESIGN    Flower Power: Simple and Effective Florals for Caterers
    David Everett, Event Designer
    The JDK Group, Camp Hill  PA

CULINARY    Bring On The Heat: All About Chili Peppers
    Warren Dietel, Owner and Paul Lorrain, Executive Chef
    Puff’n Stuff Catering, Orlando FL

5:25pm - 6:00pm   
BUSINESS    Another Dozen Proven Ideas to Improve Quality Everywhere
    Stephen Zilli, Director of Operations
    Zilli Hospitality Group, Waukesha WI

DESIGN    Wedding Design:  Bending Etiquette for Innovative Wedding Designs
    Bruce Vassar and Matthew Trettel, Principals
    The Wedding Guys, Minneapolis MN

CULINARY    The ACF Culinary Awards: Hot Foods

WEDNESDAY @ The Tradeshow

10:10am - 10:40am   
BUSINESS    What You Bring to the Table:
    They Won’t Know If You Don’t Show Them!
    Dave Williams , Owner
    Media Wave Video Productions, Philadelphia PA

DESIGN    Beautiful Food… How to Design, Produce, and Present
    Exquisite Menus for Large or Small Events, Part 1
    Warren Dietel, Owner and Paul Lorrain, Executive Chef
    Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, Orlando FL

CULINARY    Simple Ways to Create Signature Soups and Side Dishes in
    Your Operation While Reducing Inventory
    David Russell CEC, AAC, Corporate Chef
    and Gerald Tomlinson, Corporate Chef
    Unilever Foodsolutions, Lisle IL

10:50am - 11:20am   
BUSINESS    How to Sell Like a Pro: Energize Your Company Dynamics
    Jim Crick, Vice President
    Sullivan University, Louisville KY

DESIGN    Beautiful Food: How to Design, Produce, and Present
    Exquisite Menus for Large or Small Events, Part 2
    Warren Dietel, Owner and Paul Lorrain, Executive Chef
    Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, Orlando FL

CULINARY    The Cocktail Connection
    Dan Smith, Host, Mixologist / Event Specialist
    Good Gracious! Events, Los Angeles CA

11:30am - Noon   
BUSINESS    Social Media: Using Facebook to Build Your Business
    Christine Messer, Vice President of Marketing
    Classic Party Rentals, Los Angeles CA

DESIGN    Gorgeous Linen Looks for Any Budget
    Robin Stacy Brockelsby, President
    Creative Coverings National Linen and Retail Sales
    Sparks NV

CULINARY    Back to School: Teaching Cooking Classes in Your Kitchen
    Jason Capps, President
    Bella Sera Catering / Bella Sera Event Venue, Canonsburg PA

12:10pm - 12:40pm   
BUSINESS    Don’t Settle for OK: Hire the Right Staff Every time
    Anthony Lambatos, Owner
    Footer’s Catering, Englewood CO

DESIGN    Creative Concepts for Catering
    Sam Tottten, Design and Equipment Specialist
    Footer’s Catering, Englewood CO

CULINARY    Getting Your Slice of the Pie from Corporate Events
    to Private Parties
    Phillip Koenig, Owner
    Silver Spoon Catering, Louisville KY

1:30pm - 2:00pm   
BUSINESS    Look and Sound Sharp: Training Tips for Staff That Will
    Make Your Company Shine
    Bruce Vassar and Matthew Trettel, Principals
    The Wedding Guys, Minneapolis, MN

DESIGN    Sibling Rivalry: Family Dynamics in a Catering Company
    Sofia Riley, President and George Marinos, CEO
    Thank Goodness It’s Sofia, Long Beach CA    

CULINARY    ACF Culinary Awards:  Hot/Carving/E-Categories    

Look for more Xperience Stage presentations at The Cosmopolitan.

Subject to change.