VIBE Conference is the top education program for on-premise beverage executives and supplier partners. As consumer trends have evolved, and the industry landscape has shifted, VIBE Conference provides the information operators need to navigate these unprecedented changes with ease, and even excitement.
Save the Date for VIBE Conference 2022
We’re excited to welcome attendees back to the annual VIBE Conference, a live, in-person event happening April 25-27, 2022 at the beautiful Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California.
Bar & Restaurant spoke with VIBE Conference pinnacle sponsors to hear what they think makes this event so special. Be sure to sign up to our guest list, to be one of the first to know when registration for our 2022 event opens!
William Hinkebein
CMO
American Beverage Marketers
I have attended and supported every VIBE Conference as our company does so much business with the National On-Premise accounts. We have grown with VIBE Conference and have seen the rise of all of today’s varied and successful chain operations. I find each segment of the event valuable: the on-target presentations and panels, the fun and valuable networking breaks, the gourmet lunch and dinner events, the fabulous evening cocktail events, the CORE charity fundraising, the late-night camaraderie with our fellow National Account friends, suppliers and operators. VIBE Conference gives us the information we need to stay up-to-date and on-trend for our partner operators. If you are not at VIBE, you are not actively in the National Account On-Premise world. Everything is at VIBE, all the players. This includes the most diligent, caring, concerned buyers and suppliers in the industry. Also, the valuable expert consultants. I have learned so much from these conferences and people over the years. There is no conference as valuable or with more important attendees as VIBE. After an unprecedented 18 months of a pandemic, this industry needs VIBE Conference! It’s so exciting being able to meet up with all our associates to discuss the state of the industry and keep this massive F&B machine rolling!
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Tony Romano
Vice President, On-Premise Sales
Anheuser-Busch
My favorite part of the VIBE Conference is the ability to get together with multiple partners in one setting and listen to the guest speakers and insights they bring. As a sponsor, I value supporting industry leaders as they come together to discuss and share ways to grow our business. VIBE Conference provides a great cross-section of retailers, large multi-unit chain buyers attend alongside mid-to-small unit partners from across the country. After a global pandemic, the industry needs collaboration now more than ever. These are unchartered waters, and our mutual success depends on all of us working together to share learnings to protect the health of our industry.
RELATED: How We’re Keeping VIBE Conference Safe
Nathan Gover
Director, Bar & Beverage
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar
VIBE Conference is great. Whenever you get the opportunity to see people face to face, there’s so much powerful idea sharing. It’s a great opportunity to share laughs, stories, ideas and energy. There was a lot of benefit to having everyone in the same room this year, there was a lot of focus.
Ken Ruff
Vice President, On-Premise National Accounts
Beam Suntory
My favorite part of VIBE Conference is connecting with everyone in the industry. As a sponsor, I value getting the latest information on our industry, connecting with decision makers and creating brand experiences. VIBE Conference attracts the true beverage decision makers. It also attracts a diverse group of influencers, specialized beverage agencies, mixologists and thought leaders. Attendees need to align together to overcome the obstacles we faced in 2020 and 2021, in a way that we can all win together and drive customer sales and satisfaction!
Todd Schuessler
Director, On-Premise National Accounts
Campari Group
The best of the VIBE Conference is the way it is structured. The organizers have done a tremendous job of creating the perfect balance of educational content and networking opportunities. VIBE attracts more key operators than any other industry conference, and as a sponsor, we are provided with an invaluable opportunity to prominently showcase our brand portfolio to some of today’s most influential on-premise decision makers. Some conferences have a high supplier-to-operator ratio, but VIBE is the opposite. VIBE Conference attracts a vast array of operators. It’s not only those established, large multi-unit chains, but also those new and emerging chain operators. After months of virtual RFP meetings and multiple conference cancellations, I think we all need this opportunity to get on a plane and see each other in person. Our customers were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic, and they are still struggling. I look forward to seeing them at VIBE Conference and finding ways we can partner together for a brighter future.
Nicholas Foley
Bar & Beverage Marketing Manager
Chili's
It’s my first time here, it’s been great and it’s been good to see a ton of people I haven’t seen over the last year come together. People are excited to be together and there’s a good amount of information to catch up on. The total amount of data has been extremely useful, as everyone has been dealing with the same challenges. It’s been a lot of fun, and very beneficial.
Allen Roosa
Sr. National Account Manager, On Premise
Diageo
I saw the data about the younger generation of drinks, with their desire to not consume alcohol in the off-premise this morning. It really reinforces the importance of giving them offering as they go through life. I knew that information was out there, but I didn’t know it was that big.
Melissa Accad
Sr. National Account Manager, On Premise
Diageo
It’s been a great experience, beautiful location a lot of good content in the presentations. Pulling the trends together, and crystallizing it more is so helpful.
Larry Sturken
Managing Director of Customer Development
Gallo & Associates
VIBE Conference has been informative and so well organized. I’ve been very impressed by the energy both on the supplier and the restaurant, hotel side. It seems like people are really pulling together during these difficult times and are willing to learn together and innovate. The most important parts for me are the content, especially around trends and what we can all collectively do to make ourselves better, and the opportunity to reconnect with people. We really haven’t had a chance to connect with people individually about their business in over a year.
Misty Carpenter
Director of Casual Dining
Red Bull North America
The networking opportunities that are available at the VIBE Conference are second to none! As a supplier, we look forward to the invaluable, in-person time with operators that allows us to make and develop our personal connections. Getting to meet and connect with customers face to face, rather than by phone or email, helps us to make a big first impression, which goes a long way. you never know when you will run into someone you really need to speak with, so take advantage of every moment at VIBE! Now more than ever, our industry needs more networking opportunities to build relationships and make meaningful connections. VIBE provides many chances for operators to actively engage with their top suppliers and consider new supplier opportunities. VIBE is the perfect setting for hospitality industry representatives to gather, network, and learn about trends and solutions for the current beverage landscape.
Jeff McKasson
Vice President, National Accounts - On Premise
Sazerac Company
VIBE Conference provides the industry a place to all come together to discuss trends, areas of opportunity, and connect. Additionally, it's an opportunity for the industry leaders to hear what truly matters to us! We love the wide spectrum of attendees—both from a supplier perspective and operators, it is truly unlike any other industry event. As an industry, we have been met with an unprecedented number of issues and I view VIBE Conference as a place we can all come together to lament on opportunities and drive for common solutions, enabling us all to overcome and thrive.
Interviews have been edited for length and clarity. For further information on the Questex Be Safe commitment please click here.
Keep checking barandrestaurant.com and vibeconference.com for show updates and all the latest news. Don't miss a moment of VIBE Conference, sign up for the exclusive newsletter today. We look forward to welcoming you to VIBE Conference 2022 this April 25-27th at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. Sign up to our guest list now to be one of the first to know when registration opens for the 2022 event.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Donna Bruns at [email protected], Charlie Forman at [email protected]
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This article was originally published August 26, 2021. It was updated on October 19, 2021.