FAB Schedule
For Women, By Women

Choose The Topics That
Will Benefit You

Three days of education, inspiration, and meaningful connections. This workshop speaks to women who are ready to make hospitality their forever career as well as those ready to ramp up their current businesses with new skills. Attendees will walk away ready to write a new chapter with a much-needed dose of renewed energy. Let your evolution begin!

There is so much to see, do, and eat in Charleston! We hope that you'll save some time to explore and enjoy the hospitality of our city while you're here. If you need some ideas on where to eat or drink, download our FAB Guide to Charleston.

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Please view the schedule below for session topic descriptions.

Your FAB journey includes:

Badge pick-up on Sunday from 11am-2pm (optional)

Welcome reception + keynote address

Opportunity to sign up for "coffee with a speaker" (optional)

Three Sunday sessions to choose from for additional learning opportunities (optional)

Two days of panel discussions and small group conversations

Snacks, lunch, and beverages all day long

Halfway Soirée on Monday after sessions

No Reservations Required gather hours for FAB attendees on Sunday and Tuesday nights after sessions

Morning wellness meet-ups (optional)

Networking opportunities with industry leaders

Closing reception + keynote address

Zero bullshit and honest conversation with incredible women from across the industry

FAB 2024
The Schedule

You asked for more small groups and actionable takeaways from each session and we listened! Our schedule this year has 3 different types of sessions, ranging in size and style.

Coffee with a Speaker:  One-on-one conversations based on pre-submitted questions. No more than 3 attendees per speaker in 20-minute blocks. Pre-sign-up is required.

Small Group:  Deep-dive discussions led by 1-2 speakers. Group size will vary based on discussion.

Panel:  Will consist of a moderator and 3-4 speakers. A listen + learn format, with a Q&A at the end

11:00am - 2:00pm
All Are
Welcome

Badge Pickup

Location: Hyatt Place

Practical and fun! Grab your FAB badge and meet up with other attendees at this pre-Welcome Reception event. Arriving a little later? Badges will be available for pick-up during the Welcome Reception.

Sponsored by: Singer Equipment Company + Vollrath

2:00pm - 3:15pm Optional
Small
Group

*Pre-sign up required

Build A More Meaningful Career

Speaker: Sam Appel

Understand and define your values, get clarity on your strengths, determine your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves in work, and envision what trajectory your career could take.

2:00pm - 4:00pm Optional
Small
Group

*Pre-sign up required

Owning Your Leadership Presence

Speaker: Kate Edwards

Workshop the elements of leadership presence, identify characteristics and behaviors that great leaders possess, and create awareness around the impact you’re making.

2:00pm - 4:00pm Optional
Small
Group

*Pre-sign up required

Finance for Business

Speakers: Dana Zukofsky and The Aprio Team

All things accounting, tax, and financial planning. From starting your business to prepping it for sale and everything in between. Bring your questions!

4:30pm - 6:30pm
All Are
Welcome

Welcome Reception + Keynote

FAB starts now! Meet your fellow attendees, catch up with old friends, and enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres and fun cocktails. If you were unable to make it to Badge Pickup earlier in the day, you can get your badge here. FAB's opening keynote address by Joanne Canady-Brown will conclude the event.

Sponsored by: Amex/Resy

Food by: The Charleston chapter of Les Dames D’Escoffier

6:45pm - 8:30pm
All Are
Welcome

No Reservations Required

FAB attendees are invited to gather at a favorite local Charleston spot. Locations and details to be announced.

7:00am - 8:00am optional
All Are
Welcome

Start your morning with a yoga session OR a run through downtown Charleston. More details to follow.

8:00am - 9:00am optional
Coffee with
a Speaker

*Pre-sign up required

One-on-one conversations based on pre-submitted questions. No more than 3 attendees per speaker in 20-minute blocks. Space is limited. Sign-up is required when purchasing your ticket. This is an optional session.

Speakers: jeanie chunn, Danielle DeFilippis, Emma Blecker, Adrian Lipscombe, Sam Allonce, Martha Hoover, Dana Cowin

8:30am - 9:30am
All Are
Welcome

Breakfast Spread + Coffee

Location: American Theater

An assortment of breakfast items and coffee/tea will be available in the American Theater before sessions start for the day.

Burnout
Panel

Powering through is overrated. What to watch for, how to identify, what to do before it gets too bad, and what to do if it is bad.

Moderator: Kate Edwards

Panelists: Lauren Darnell, Erin Boyle, Cheetie Kumar

Using Tech to Boost Your Business
Panel

Learn how to distill and extract actionable data and put it in the hands of managers.

Moderator: Taylor Duncan

Panelists: Emma Blecker, Amy Zhou, Laura Torres

Creating Your Brand
Panel

Where to start, who to get involved, what steps to take, and how to connect your ideas and business goals to create your brand.

Moderator: Kelly Valentine

Panelists: Kara Graves, June Rodil, Lynnette Marrero

HR for the Employer
Small
Group

Learn how a renewed focus on human resources can not only enhance work cultures but also drive sustainable business growth, setting you on a path to maximize margins and elevate your enterprise to new heights.

Speakers: Hollis Wells Silverman, Felice Ekelman

Testing Your Concepts
Small
Group

How to test multiple restaurant concepts, see what sticks, and then build a successful pop-up.

Speaker: Yesenia Ramdass

Traditional & Fringe Benefits
Small
Group

A deep dive into benefits that take care of your team and advance your company culture. We will explore healthcare plans that make sense for your team and business.

Speaker: Elizabeth Tilton

Intellectual Property + Trade Secrets
Small
Group

Understand how to legally protect a formula or recipe and how to incorporate that protection into various agreements throughout the distribution chain.

Speaker: Danielle DeFilippis

Build A More Meaningful Career
Small
Group

In this session, you'll define your values, get clarity on your strengths, determine your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves in work, and then envision what trajectory your career could take.

Speaker: Sam Appel

CPG How to Scale
Panel

For those in CPG looking to learn how to scale for growth.

Moderator: Kelly Valentine

Panelists: Megan Overbay, Amanda McLamb

Recruitment + Building a Successful Team
Panel

Identify who is already on your team, who you need, and how to purposefully build your team for success.

Moderator: Meghan Crocker

Panelists: Sarah Worley, Cybille St. Aude-Tate, Ping Ho

Leadership
Panel

Hear how to influence, inspire and help others become their best selves, build their skills and achieve goals along the way.

Moderator: jeanie chunn

Panelists: Ellen Yin, Ana Castro, Anna Gordon

Media Training 101
Small
Group

Learn how to build a press kit (and what one even is), get recognized by relevant media, foster relationships with press that are built to last, and how to best position yourself for industry awards and accolades.

Speaker: Gia Vecchio

Considering Consulting?
Small
Group

How to get started, establishing your pricing, time management, setting your scope of work, and contracts.

Speakers: Kendra Anderson, Kate Edwards

Capital Growth for a Multi-Unit
Small
Group

Preparing your business for investment and growth into a multi-channel brand.

Speakers: June Rodil, Lauren Fernandez

Profit & Loss 101
Small
Group

For those looking to better understand and analyze their P&L and how it affects your bottom line.

Speaker: Carmen Salgado

The Reversal of DEI Funding Initiatives
Small
Group

A discussion of how the de-prioritization of DEI impacts people and organizations in the F&B industry.

Speakers: Nina Oduro, Lauren Darnell

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

Planning for Strategic Growth
Panel

For those running companies 2+ years old, this panel will talk about growth strategy and implementation.

Moderator: Stephanie Burt

Panelists: Dana Zukofsky, Ping Ho, Joanne Canady-Brown, Anna Gordon

Building Your Design Team
Panel

For all expertise levels and budgets. Who do you start with when building your architecture/design/equipment team, and when do you engage each of them?

Moderator: Lyndsay Green

Panelists: Allison Cooke, Molly Irani, Lauren Bailey

Playing the Long Game
Panel

A candid conversation about business sustainability and all of the things that play into it.

Moderator: Gia Vecchio

Panelists: Ellen Yin, Martha Hoover

Building a Profitable Menu
Small
Group

There is more to building a profitable menu than just the ingredients. A discussion around what variables come into play and how it affects your bottom line.

Speakers: Sarah Worley, Vanessa Miller

Selling Your Business
Small
Group

For business owners. How to's, challenges and best practices for preparing to sell your business.

Speaker: Cheetie Kumar

Brand Partnerships
Small
Group

How to identify the right brands to align yourself with. What brands look for and how to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership.

Speakers: Lynn House, Sam Allonce

Photography for Social Media
Small
Group

How to take appealing pics with your phone - tips & tricks for when you can’t hire a professional.

Speakers: Kari Crowe Seher, Melissa Yanc-McGaughey

A Conversation with Christa Cotton
Small
Group

Christa will cover it all. Bootstrapping to raise capital, getting press coverage without a publicist, and how not to lose your mind while building a company.

Speaker: Christa Cotton

Work/Life Balance: Motherhood
Panel

The reality of being able to balance the demands of your business and your family.

Moderator: Adrian Lipscombe

Panelists: Subrina Collier, Cybille St. Aude-Tate, Lauren Bailey

Under 2 Years in Business
Panel

For those running companies under 2 years. Does your vision match with your initial business concept? Or did you have to revamp? The challenges, the surprises, and everything in between.

Moderator: Lauren Fernandez

Panelists: Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Irene Li, Melissa Yanc-McGaughey

The Silver Lining of Failure
Panel

How to turn your failure into success, how to bounce back, when to say when, and removing the ego.

Moderator: Dana Cowin

Panelists: Joanne Canady-Brown, Amanda McLamb, Cynthia Wong

Marketing
Panel

Discussions will include defining your brand, opening and staying relevant in a crowded space, planning and executing a marketing strategy, and learning how to target and develop your customer base and create buzz.

Moderator: Sam Appel

Panelists: Maddy Dickerson, Nina Oduro, Kara Graves

Taking Over the Family Business
Small
Group

Now it's yours, how to pay homage to what it was and put your stamp on it

Speakers: Lindsay Hoopes, Christy Vega

5:00pm - 6:30pm
All Are
Welcome

Halfway Soirée

Celebrate, connect, and engage with fellow attendees at the end of Monday's sessions with bites from some of Charleston's badass female chefs. Sip on wine, a cocktail, or various NA options under the trees. Charleston chefs to be announced!

Sponsored by: Tripleseat

7:00am - 8:00am optional
All Are
Welcome

Start your morning with a yoga session OR a run through downtown Charleston. More details to follow.

8:00am - 9:00am optional
Coffee with
a Speaker

*Pre-sign up required

One-on-one conversations based on pre-submitted questions. No more than 3 attendees per speaker in 20-minute blocks. Space is limited. Sign-up is required when purchasing your ticket. This is an optional session.

Speakers: Elaine Chon-Baker, Lynn House, Martha Hoover, Kelly Valentine, Vanessa Miller, Ellen Yin, Anna Gordon

8:30am - 9:30am
All Are
Welcome

Breakfast Spread + Coffee

Location: American Theater

An assortment of breakfast items and coffee/tea will be available in the American Theater before sessions start for the day.

How to Cultivate Employee Retention
Panel

What can employers offer to incentivize people to stay and invest in the longevity of their team? Benefits, wellness, vacation days, and more.

Moderator: Felice Ekelman

Panelists: Elizabeth Tilton, Melissa Yanc-McGaughey, Maddy Dickerson

Regenerative Ag.
Panel

A discussion around how regenerative farming practices can address environmental challenges and create a more sustainable food system.

Moderator: Lyndsay Green

Panelists: Adrian Lipscombe, Lindsey Hoopes, Olivia Myers, Dana Cowin

Open Book Management
Panel

The ins and outs of Open Book Management. This panel is perfect for leaders looking to bring company-wide transparency to their finances.

Panelists: Irene Li, Megan Overbay

Designing with Experience in Mind
Small
Group

Small things and details matter to shape the experience you envision for both your guests and employees. The conversation will cover lighting, layout, seating types, finishes, ergonomics, and more.

Speaker: Allison Cooke

Profit & Loss 101
Small
Group

For those looking to better understand and analyze their P&L and how it affects your bottom line.

Speaker: Amy Zhou

Events With A Purpose
Small
Group

How to create an event that amplifies your mission.

Speakers: Subrina Collier, Nina Oduro

Negotiation
Small
Group

The art of negotiation. How to negotiate for yourself and your worth.

Speakers: Lynnette Marrero, Meghan Crocker

Organizational Charts
Small
Group

How and when to think about org. charts and implement them into your company structure.

Speaker: Lauren Bailey

Difficult Conversations
Panel

This panel is for everyone. Management to employee, and employee to management. Learn how to approach difficult topics and how everyone can benefit from the conversation.

Moderator: Rachel Ramsey

Panelists: Hollis Wells Silverman, Molly Irani, Amy Zhou

Work/Life Balance: Working with your Partner
Panel

Work dynamics can be hard enough, let alone when you work with your partner. An honest discussion about the good, the bad, and how to not take your work home with you.

Moderator: Lauren Darnell

Panelists: Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Christa Cotton, Sarah Worley

I Don't Own it But I Run It
Panel

An open discussion of the challenges and working dynamics of women in management positions who are not the owners.

Moderator: Taylor Duncan

Panelists: Aretah Ettarh, Vanessa Miller, Carmen Salgado, Laura Torres

Changing Careers
Small
Group

Figure out how to identify your strengths, passions, and interests, and take the leap to something new.

Speakers: Yesenia Ramdass, Kendra Anderson

6 Non-Negotiables for a Restaurant Tech Stack
Small
Group

The best platforms and resources for you to have in your tech stack and why.

Speaker: Emma Blecker

Telling Your Story
Small
Group

How to tell your story in an engaging way that becomes second nature and engages others.

Speaker: Stephanie Burt

Processes + Systems
Small
Group

Understand the systems in your business to find efficiency, expand creativity, and impact your bottom line.

Speakers: Kari Crow Seher, Elizabeth Tilton

Seed Money
Small
Group

How to find and secure funding for your initial round of investment and understand which available option is best for you.

Speakers: Lauren Fernandez, Elaine Chon-Baker

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

The State/Future of the Industry
Panel

A talk about industry challenges, advocacy, and policy + legislation on both the local and national level.

Moderator: Andrea Borgen Abdallah

Panelists: jeanie chunn, Cheetie Kumar

Mental Health
Panel

Know your resources and hear ways to support your team and yourself.

Moderator: Stephanie Burt

Panelists: Ana Castro, Molly Irani, Erin Boyle

In-House Social Media
Panel

For those running their own social, we will cover working with influencers, staying on top or ahead of trends, the best tools and tips for managing social accounts, and the metrics to pay attention to.

Moderator: Kelly Valentine

Panelists: Maddy Dickerson, Kara Graves, Yesenia Ramdass

HR for the Employee
Small
Group

Educating employees on their rights and how to work with HR in specific situations.

Speakers: Meghan Crocker, Rachel Ramsey

Creating Your Business Plan
Small
Group

For those starting or starting something new, learn how to write a killer business plan.

Speaker: Dana Zukofsky

Trademarks
Small
Group

Trademark guidance for anyone launching a new brand.

Speaker: Danielle DeFilippis

Business Partnerships
Small
Group

What to know and think about ahead of time before choosing who to partner with.

Speakers: Elaine Chon-Baker, Lynnette Marrero

CPG Concept to Consumer
Small
Group

How to take an idea and turn it into a tangible product. Navigating the challenges along the way and how to get your product into the hands of consumers.

Speakers: Sam Allonce, Cynthia Wong

Shaking Up the Beverage Industry
Panel

How do you elevate your personal brand in a male-dominated industry? Hear how these women are changing the beverage industry, bringing new ideas to a traditional category, and the challenges of shaking things up.

Moderator: Gia Vecchio

Panelists: Lynn House, Amanda McLamb, June Rodil, Lindsay Hoopes

Vulnerability
Panel

Being vulnerable isn't a bad thing. How to use it as an asset.

Moderator: Lyndsay Green

Panelists: Aretah Ettarh, Erin Boyle, Maryam Ghaznavi

Successful Collaborations
Panel

El Guapo Bitters x Casa Vega. Big Spoon Roasters x MELT ice creams. Hear how these partnerships came to be and what to consider when pursuing one.

Moderator: Kendra Anderson

Panelists: Christa Cotton + Christy Vega, Megan Overbay + Kari Crowe Seher

Alt. Business Models
Panel

When the system doesn't work, you create a new one. Hear first-hand from women who are operating their successful restaurants differently.

Moderator: Andrea Borgen Abdallah

Panelists: Hollis Wells Silverman, Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel

Crowdfunding
Small
Group

A discussion around the different platforms available, tips and tricks to run a successful campaign, and checklists to help you along the way.

Speaker: Irene Li

4:45pm - 6:00pm
All Are
Welcome

Ice Cream Social + Maker's Market + Closing Keynote

After 3 days filled with inspiration and motivation, we will gather and celebrate with ice cream treats! FAB's popular maker's market will be back and larger than ever. The event will end with a closing keynote by Cheetie Kumar.

Sponsored By: Yeti

6:15pm - 8:30pm
All Are
Welcome

No Reservations Required

FAB attendees are invited to gather at a favorite local Charleston spot. Locations and details to be announced.