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
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
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.
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.
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!
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
Welcome
No Reservations Required
FAB attendees are invited to gather at a favorite local Charleston spot. Locations and details to be announced.
Welcome
Start your morning with a yoga session OR a run through downtown Charleston. More details to follow.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
Group
How to test multiple restaurant concepts, see what sticks, and then build a successful pop-up.
Speaker: Yesenia Ramdass
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
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
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
For those in CPG looking to learn how to scale for growth.
Moderator: Kelly Valentine
Panelists: Megan Overbay, Amanda McLamb
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
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
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
Group
How to get started, establishing your pricing, time management, setting your scope of work, and contracts.
Speakers: Kendra Anderson, Kate Edwards
Group
Preparing your business for investment and growth into a multi-channel brand.
Speakers: June Rodil, Lauren Fernandez
Group
For those looking to better understand and analyze their P&L and how it affects your bottom line.
Speaker: Carmen Salgado
Group
A discussion of how the de-prioritization of DEI impacts people and organizations in the F&B industry.
Speakers: Nina Oduro, Lauren Darnell
Lunch
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
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
A candid conversation about business sustainability and all of the things that play into it.
Moderator: Gia Vecchio
Panelists: Ellen Yin, Martha Hoover
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
Group
For business owners. How to's, challenges and best practices for preparing to sell your business.
Speaker: Cheetie Kumar
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Group
Now it's yours, how to pay homage to what it was and put your stamp on it
Speakers: Lindsay Hoopes, Christy Vega
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
Welcome
Start your morning with a yoga session OR a run through downtown Charleston. More details to follow.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
Group
For those looking to better understand and analyze their P&L and how it affects your bottom line.
Speaker: Amy Zhou
Group
How to create an event that amplifies your mission.
Speakers: Subrina Collier, Nina Oduro
Group
The art of negotiation. How to negotiate for yourself and your worth.
Speakers: Lynnette Marrero, Meghan Crocker
Group
How and when to think about org. charts and implement them into your company structure.
Speaker: Lauren Bailey
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 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
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
Group
Figure out how to identify your strengths, passions, and interests, and take the leap to something new.
Speakers: Yesenia Ramdass, Kendra Anderson
Group
The best platforms and resources for you to have in your tech stack and why.
Speaker: Emma Blecker
Group
How to tell your story in an engaging way that becomes second nature and engages others.
Speaker: Stephanie Burt
Group
Understand the systems in your business to find efficiency, expand creativity, and impact your bottom line.
Speakers: Kari Crow Seher, Elizabeth Tilton
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
Lunch
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
Know your resources and hear ways to support your team and yourself.
Moderator: Stephanie Burt
Panelists: Ana Castro, Molly Irani, Erin Boyle
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
Group
Educating employees on their rights and how to work with HR in specific situations.
Speakers: Meghan Crocker, Rachel Ramsey
Group
For those starting or starting something new, learn how to write a killer business plan.
Speaker: Dana Zukofsky
Group
Trademark guidance for anyone launching a new brand.
Speaker: Danielle DeFilippis
Group
What to know and think about ahead of time before choosing who to partner with.
Speakers: Elaine Chon-Baker, Lynnette Marrero
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
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
Being vulnerable isn't a bad thing. How to use it as an asset.
Moderator: Lyndsay Green
Panelists: Aretah Ettarh, Erin Boyle, Maryam Ghaznavi
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
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
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
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
Welcome
No Reservations Required
FAB attendees are invited to gather at a favorite local Charleston spot. Locations and details to be announced.
