CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs

When we hosted the first CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs in 2021, we had this theory that restaurant leaders didn't want "just another conference." They didn't need another transactional event where they watched some speakers, shook some hands, checked some boxes, and headed home. We believed that, much like in restaurants themselves, people craved more personable interactions, engaging experiences, and inspiring settings. We wanted you to leave CREATE better than when you arrived, and we wanted the content and people you engaged with to resonate long past your flight home. Six years in, I feel pretty comfortable saying we've accomplished that mission. There are too many people to thank for making CREATE 2026 at Terranea Resort one of the best yet, but I'll start with Emily Nordee-Rogers, Taylor Moschcau, Danielle Castro, Beth Hawkins, Chris Keating, Mark Hatch, Caroline Gathagan, and the rest of the Informa Connect Foodservice events crew who planned and executed a flawless event. Thanks to our powerhouse lineup of speakers — people like Scott Boatwright, Tom Cortese, Steve Ells, Andrew K. Smith, Michael Davis, Peggy Cherng, Andrew Cherng, Erika London, Elizabeth Morris, Christina Milian, Peter Newlin, Brian Duffy, and many, many others — who gave so much time and energy to educating and inspiring the next generation of restaurant leaders. Thanks to Leigh Anne Zinsmeister, Alicia Kelso, Jonathan Maze, Lisa Jennings, Bret Thorn, and Patricia Cobe for guiding such valuable conversations from the stage, plus Kimberly Kaczmarek, Kanayo Umelo, Ally MacConchie, and Hailey Williams for capturing so much of what makes CREATE special in photo and video. And thanks to partners like The Coca-Cola Company, 858 Partners, and Savory Fund that have stood shoulder to shoulder with us now for years — even as we take some pretty big (and sometimes, uh, unconventional) swings on content that we believe will make this industry even more special for the years ahead. Already looking forward to CREATE 2027! Joe Donnelly Aharon Shamash Marcus Viscidi Breezie Gindlesperger Seth Evans Maddie Rollason Jason Bogovic Barbara Poremba Rebecca Pearson, MBA Juan George

CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs 2026 was one for the books! The location was beautiful- Terranea Resort, the agenda and speakers were on fire 🔥, the attendees were first class, our industry partners brought their A-Game, and our Informa Connect Foodservice team proved they are truly the best in the biz! I have so much more I want to say about this spectacular conference and the people involved, but for now, I’ll start with this fun “Backstage Pass” video that helps to capture the caliber of what this event embodied! More to come… Sam Oches Barbara Poremba Chris Keating Joe Donnelly Aharon Shamash Mark Hatch Jonathan Maze Caroline Gathagan Marcus Viscidi Taylor Moschcau Liliana Silvis Beth Hawkins Danielle Castro Brian Duffy Patricia Cobe Venecia Willis Tucker Bryant Phil Wills Troy Hooper Alicia Mowder Bret Thorn Leigh Anne Zinsmeister Alicia Kelso Fat Sal's Deli Ike Shehadeh Briana Valdez

Over the past few days, I had the opportunity to attend CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs, and I’m leaving with plenty of new ideas, meaningful conversations, and a renewed appreciation for how collaborative the restaurant industry is. Saying I am proud to represent AVM Continuity Group and have the opportunity to learn from so many outstanding restaurant leaders would be an understatement!

CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs has been nothing short of incredible, and this moment perfectly captured what the restaurant community is all about. Our 2nd Annual Create Power Connector Contest was designed to recognize what makes this industry so special: people bringing people together. When each operator registered, they were asked one simple question: 'who told you to attend?' Each mention earned that individual one point.... making each referral a reflection of the relationships that continue to strengthen our industry. Sam Oches and I took the stage to announce our winner, Dreambox CEO Dan Bejmuk... where a well-earned coronation commenced, recognizing him as this year's #KingofConnections. Thank you to our The Nest Group members from Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs, Dewey's Pizza, Dog Haus, HTeaO, Ike's Love & Sandwiches, Penn Station East Coast Subs, Silver Brands, Wienerschnitzel, Zaxbys, and Zippy's Restaurants, who donated gift cards and swag in celebration of the relationships that continue to bring suppliers and operators together. Some eras are defined by their innovators, so for the second year in a row, we celebrated ours with a modern-day Renaissance portrait. Until next year!

One of my favorite parts of CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs isn’t just the sessions—it’s the conversations in between. Every year, I’m reminded that some of the best ideas come from connecting with customers, operators, partners, and friends outside the meeting room. Those conversations spark new perspectives, strengthen relationships, and usually include a few laughs along the way. Thanks to everyone who made another great event. Looking forward to putting these conversations into action. Informa Connect Foodservice

Day One at CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs: The Room Is the Lesson. Great conferences aren’t just about the speakers. They’re about the conversations that happen because the right people are in the same place. CREATE brings together restaurant founders at every stage of the journey. I met operators with three restaurants getting ready to franchise. Others who spent years building regional brands with 13 or 50 company-owned locations. And leaders responsible for some of the most recognizable restaurant brands in the world. Different business models. Different growth strategies. The same willingness to learn. Hearing Jim Bitticks, CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken, and Scott Boatwright, CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, share candid lessons on leadership, operations, and scaling wasn’t about collecting quotes. It was a reminder that the best leaders stay curious no matter how big their companies become. The setting reinforced that lesson. CREATE is hosted at Terranea Resort on the California coastline in Rancho Palos Verdes. I started the day with a sunrise gratitude walk overlooking the Pacific before the conference began. It was a rare moment of quiet before a day full of conversations. As the sun set, Brandon Worley and Chance Liekkio from our Cali BBQ Media team were flying drones along the coastline, capturing footage that looked like it belonged in a film. It was a reminder that storytelling isn’t just about what happens on stage. It’s about capturing the people, the place, and the moments that make an experience memorable. That’s what we’re here to do. We’re interviewing founders, operators, and executives to preserve the lessons they’re learning while building the future of hospitality. Thank you to everyone who joined our Rising Tides Live stream from the show floor yesterday. If you missed it, the replay is available on the Cali BBQ Media YouTube channel. If you’re at CREATE today, stop by our media stage. We’d love to hear your story. Stay curious. Get involved. Ask for help.