Women in Hospitality Conference Agenda

Monday, March 31st | Wynn Las Vegas

8:30am Arrival & Welcome Coffee & Breakfast

9:00am Welcome Remarks
Featuring: Joanna James, founder of MAPP & Women’s Hospitality Initiative (WHI)

9:15am Power Talks

Featuring: Todd Lenahan, President Wynn Design & Development

Get inspired for the day ahead with 2 brief, impactful 10-minute sessions featuring an industry expert sharing key insights.

10:00am Rotating Workshops

Dive deep into topics that suit your career path and industry focus.

Topics Include:

• Know Your Worth: Smart Financial Decisions

  Featuring: Esther Choi, Chef and Owner of Mŏkbar and Ms. Yoo
  Learn how to make savvy financial choices for yourself and your staff, whether you're just starting out or preparing to exit the business. Gain strategies for managing finances at every stage of your career.

• The Power of the Pivot: Adapting to Market Dynamics

  Featuring: Cat Cora, 1st Female Iron Chef 1st Female Culinary Hall of Famer Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award; Karla Hoyos, World Central Kitchen Chef Ambassador
  Understand when and how to restructure your business in response to market shifts. Learn strategies for pivoting from brick-and-mortar to catering, adding take-out options, or developing a product line to boost revenue. Discover how to grow, expand, and restructure your business to maximize profit and increase visibility.

• Recipe for Success: Transitioning from Peer to Leader

  Featuring: Jason Hammel, Chef/Owner Lula Cafe, Pilot Light Chefs; Hollis Silverman, CEO & Owner, Eastern Point Collective
  Learn key leadership skills to successfully shift from being a peer to a leader. This workshop covers building credibility, effective communication, and fostering strong team relationships as you navigate your leadership role with confidence.

• Leadership from the Inside Out

  Featuring: Opal Poullard, 2x Food Network Chopped champion, former Air Force member and MAPP recipient
  Explore how building self-awareness and emotional intelligence (EQ) can empower you to lead yourself, your teams, and your organization. Learn practical tools to enhance your leadership skills and foster stronger, more effective relationships in the workplace. Creating a safe environment where employees feel heard, valued.

11:30am KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: Inspired Leadership: Merging Ambition, Well-Being and Purpose
Exclusive conversation with billionaire philanthropist Elaine Wynn, Co-Founder of Wynn Resorts and Elizabeth Blau, Founder of Women’s Hospitality Initiative (WHI) and Co-Owner of Blau & Associates.

12:00pm Lunch

1:00pm Main Stage Panel Discussion

Featuring: Lorena Garcia, Executive Chef/Partner, CHICA

Join a dynamic panel of industry leaders as they discuss the key ingredients to achieving balance between work, personal life, and community involvement. Learn how to create a sustainable business model that supports both employers and employees while avoiding burnout and fostering long-term success.

1:45pm (RE)VISION | Taking Your Ideas from Concept to Reality

Featuring: Angie Mar, Chef/Owner Les Trois Chevaux
Join a discussion with leaders in restaurant development as they share insights on transforming your vision into reality. Whether you're launching your first concept or reinventing an existing one, learn the proven strategies and creative processes used by trailblazers who have redefined the industry and created truly remarkable ventures.

2:30pm Afternoon Snack Break (Optional Opportunities)

• Headshot Bar: Get a Complimentary Headshot
  Capture your professional image with a free headshot session, perfect for updating your portfolio or social media profiles.

• Media Interviews
  Take the opportunity to share your story through media interviews and gain exposure for your career and business.

• Social Media Consultation
  Receive personalized advice on how to elevate your social media presence and optimize your platforms for greater impact.

4:30pm Conference Concludes