September 3, 2025

If sales are slower than you’d like, one thing’s for sure: Maintaining a stagnant menu won’t drive new traffic to your store. Sometimes all it takes is one or two new items that are unlike anything customers can find elsewhere. Inspiration can be found in strange and unpredictable places. Or it can come from the community and the people that you love. Dreaming up and promoting LTOs and unique menu items will build excitement and buzz and set your pizzeria apart from a crowded field. This panel takes a look at how the ideation works for several successful operators and will help you hone your process, too.

For even the most experienced pizza pros, marketing is a weak point. You love making pizza, not marketing it. Fortunately, our panelists of independent operators and consultants have a knack for both. They’re content creators, storytellers, social media wizards and PR magnets who have put in the time, creativity and hard work to craft a consistent message and system that sells more pizza—and it has paid off. In this session led by moderator Rev Ciancio, a renowned restaurant marketing consultant, they’ll take your questions and spill their secrets, demystifying the process and bringing clarity to a challenging facet of the pizzeria business.

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Lights, camera, pizza! If you’ve watched Beat Bobby Flay or Best in Dough—or even non-cooking shows like Shark Tank—you’ve probably wondered: How did these chefs make the cast, what was the experience like, and how can I be next? In this session, our panelists will tell you how they earned national TV fame and success, from the casting process to prepping for and shooting their segments, plus what happens on the set when the cameras aren’t rolling!

Discover the latest developments in the QSR sector. From consumer-driven flavor innovations to marketing strategies that captivate new demographics, this session offers a look into the key dynamics that every stakeholder should understand. Uncover practical strategies to enhance your brand’s market position and build customer loyalty.

Trade your conference badge for a lei and unwind at Sunset Social: Luau Night. After a packed day of sessions, join your fellow attendees for a relaxed and festive evening filled with island vibes, tropical bites and upbeat rhythms from a live steel drum band. This is your chance to kick back, enjoy the open bar and heavy appetizers, and connect with peers in a vibrant, tiki-inspired setting.

Come for the conversation, stay for the music, and soak up the feel-good energy of this can’t-miss networking night.

Ready to party like it’s 1929? Slip into your finest Roaring ’20s attire and unlock the door with a secret password sent to you via the event app onsite. Step inside this lively speakeasy where jazz fills the air, cocktails flow freely, and every corner invites you to mingle, laugh, and celebrate.

From the first note to the last sip, this immersive evening promises vintage vibes, playful intrigue, and plenty of chances to connect with fellow night owls in style. Don’t miss the chance to make memories that are anything but ordinary.

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