BREAKOUT SESSION / WEDNESDAY / MARCH 29, 2017 / 2:30 PM
Tech Talk
We live in a technology age — loyalty apps, email and text messaging, digital menu boards, geofences– but do you have to have it all? And if you are a small brand where do you start? This session will discuss the differences among the tech platforms, how to get the most out of your tech budget and which technologies are actually worth the investment.
PANELISTS
Liz Bazner | Digital Manager | A&W Restaurants
Liz Bazner is a self-proclaimed foodie who currently serves as Digital Manager for A&W Restaurants, the nation’s oldest franchised restaurant chain. Liz leads the development of digital & social campaigns to increase brand awareness & positive online sentiment, as well as overseeing the consumer-facing website & email marketing program. After graduating from Vanderbilt University with a degree in political science & public policy, Liz worked for a variety of public officials doing PR & campaign management work before joining the A&W team.
Bo Davis | COO | US Beef (Arby’s)
Bo Davis is Chief Operating Officer for United States Beef Corporation (US Beef), a privately held corporation owned by the Davis family. US Beef is the largest Arby’s roast beef restaurant franchisee in the world, with over 335 Arby’s restaurants located in eight states. Bo began his career as a crew member for Arby’s during his high school years, and after completing college, returned to Arby’s as an Assistant Manager, earning consistent promotions before his current assignment as COO, where he is responsible for directing and coordinating the training, development, evaluation and advancement of the 7,500 US Beef employees working in restaurant operations.
Keith Peterson | VP of Marketing | VERTS Mediterranean Grill
In his current role of VP of Marketing for VERTS Mediterranean Grill, Keith Peterson is primarily responsible for growing the VERTS brand as it emerges as a national chain and accelerating marketing programming to scale the company to 200 locations by 2020. Prior to joining VERTS, Keith worked for Red Bull for eight years in field marketing, consumer collecting and brand management. He led strategic direction for Red Bull’s direct-to-consumer marketing programs in the Southeast United States in 2011. In his role of Red Bull Global Brand Integration Manager from 2012-2015, he oversaw international integrated marketing for the branded record label Red Bull Records and its artists.
MODERATOR
Adam Bricker | Vice President, Technology Innovation | Steak n Shake
Adam began his career as an aerospace engineer at General Dynamics working on cruise missiles, the Space Shuttle, and hypersonic missiles. Next he worked at Southwest Airlines as Director of Purchasing and then as Director of Information Systems. Later, he worked for Yum! as VP of IT. In 2000 he joined KPMG as Partner/Managing Director. Adam joined World Vision in 2006 as the global CIO with over 900 staff in 100 countries. Having lived and worked in over 55 countries, he is currently VP of Innovation at Steak ‘n Shake designing and delivering digital marketing solutions, food production automation, and innovative guest experiences.
session sponsor
