Tuesday, June 13 2017
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The restaurant and food products industry is brutally competitive. Survival rates are low, margins are tight, and the competition is intense. How are you going to make potential customers aware of your products or services? How are you going to stand out in a crowded field? What's your unique value proposition that separates you from the pack?

Join our panel of experienced industry experts to learn some tricks-of-the-trade, gain knowledge from their experiences, and give you and your business a leg up! We'll cover digital marketing/social media tactics, traditional marketing, plus what you need to develop your competitive advantage.

Our Panelists

Jordan Graf

Music City Hot Chicken
Founder & Owner

Raised in Fort Collins Jordan is a graduate of FCHS and CSU. He applied his degree in Restaurant and Resort Management working in hotel kitchens in Las Vegas, California, and abroad before building a concept of his own in his home state. Jordan and his brother Sam are proud to serve Colorado sourced, all natural, crispy fried chicken with other rotating seasonal and regional food and drink features.

 

Kristin Mastre

Feasting Fort Collins
Founder, Restaurant Critic & Marketing
  
Kristin Mastre has been an independent restaurant critic in Fort Collins for over 7 years, the founder of a local media network for 5 years, and a partner in her boutique marketing agency for 5 years. Her expertise is in community building, social media and digital marketing, with highly developed experience in marketing for the local restaurant industry.

Sandy Lewis

Northern Colorado Catering
General Manager, Event Planner

Sandy Lewis started in the Food Service Industry like many others, as a dishwasher. Since those humble beginnings, she has held many positions, such as Server, Short Order Cook, Baker, Bartender, Saute Chef, Catering Banquet Captain, Buyer, Event Coordinator, Corporate Restaurant Management, Grocery Store Administration, and even helped open a Food Truck. She is currently the General Manager/Event Planner for Northern Colorado Catering, and excited for the new adventure of Gelato & aMore.

Jim Edwards

Door 222, Locality
Owner

Jim Edwards was born and raised in New Jersey, received his B.S from Eckerd College and M.S. in marine geology from University of South Florida. He moved to Estes Park, CO in 1998 and began cutting his teeth in the restaurant business. Jim was part of the start up team of the Twin Owls Steakhouse in 1999 and shortly thereafter bought the restaurant which he operated for 12 years. Jim then moved to Fort Collins, sold the steakhouse and started Door 222 food & drink formerly known as "Next Door" in Loveland. In October he opened another restaurant, Locality Kitchen & bar, on the south side of Fort Collins. Both of Jim's restaurants focus on creative cuisine with locally sourced product.

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