Rapidly rising food and beverage costs have put the squeeze on casino F&B profits. Did you know that a 1% reduction in food cost is equal to a 20% increase in sales (assuming a 5% net profit margin)? Achieving a 20% increase in sales is nearly impossible these days, however, lowering food costs by another point or two is easily attainable through the effective management of F&B costs. This seminar helps attendees gain the knowledge essential to help them by improving controls and reducing unnecessary losses. Attendees learn the difference between accounting and control, how to prepare management by implementing a better organizational structure, how to optimize the physical layout of the facility, and how automation can help.

Presented by:
Bill Schwartz – President, Food Trak

The downturn economy is fostering creative procurement strategies to control costs to offset reduced revenue. As Corporations continue to focus their attention to the bottom line and expenses, Procurement is under more pressure to control escalating costs and increase Procurement’s role within the organization to make this happen. This session will focus on how OLG and Caesars Windsor have found ways in a highly regulated industry to rake in on opportunities given today’s industry and economic dynamics. Discussion topics will include best practices and processes that work.

Presented by:
Lori Quaggiotto – Director Purchasing, Caesars Windsor
Brenda Gibbons – Director of Procurement, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation

In the current business climate, “sustainability" is moving beyond the latest catchword to becoming the normal way of doing business. The session will discuss the importance of sustainability in business today and offer practical tips on implementing sustainable practices into foodservice operations.

Presented By:
Laurie Brager – Director of Sustainability, Compass Group
Eli Bamfo – Environmental, Health and Safety Manager, Compass Group

This session is designed to inform both the Marketing and F&B executive on the importance and strategies of focused productive specific marketing. The need for a well defined F&B marketing plan that coincides with overall casino/resort plan will be discussed and an understanding of the product offerings as a traffic driver. Brief review of common marketing practices for F&B; need for proper key performance indicators to properly evaluate strategies; alignment of offerings based upon effective “mining” of property data base.

• Is outlet specific marketing a justifiable and quantifiable expense?
• Does increased restaurant and bar traffic drive gaming revenues?

Presented By:
Orhan Gozutok – Director of Food & Beverage, River Cree Resort and Casino
Jason Lapin – Vice President, Elizabeth Blau & Associates

The executive roundtable will focus on a number of topics related to the current and future Canadian Gaming market. The discussion will revolve around the role of food and beverage in the gaming industry and current trends in food and beverage including; organics, regional cuisine and celebrity chefs. Advances in Technology and Promotional Marketing will be reviewed and considering the current market conditions, the subject of value added services and discounting will be added.

Moderator:
Jason Lapin – Vice President, Elizabeth Blau & Associates

Panelists:
Orhan Gozutok – Director of Food & Beverage, River Cree Resort and Casino
Patrick McClary – Executive Chef, Caesars Windsor
Ralph Claussen – Director Food and Beverage Operations, Woodbine Entertainment

This high energy presentation will cover the major trends in the North American and Canadian foodservice industry. We will look at the current and future consumer drivers that will affect our concepts, menus and promotions. You will have the opportunity to hear first hand what is happening on the menus of Canada's most popular restaurants. In addition, get an inside of view of what the top executive chef's and menu planners in North America have in store. Find out What's Hot and What's Going to be Hot!!

Presented by:
Bill Dover – Principal, fsSTRATEGY