Northeast Fall Conference 2024
October 21-22, 2024
Mystic, Connecticut
Agenda
Monday
12pm - 12:30pm Welcome & Icebreaker (Working Lunch)
What do you do for your own personal and professional development?
Share your favorite book, podcast, or learning platform
12:30pm - 1pm
Meet Chef David Standridge | The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic
Chef David Standridge of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic has been honored as the 2024 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Northeast.
Known for his commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Chef David expertly showcases the rich diversity of the region's seafood, whilst minimizing waste Since its opening in 2020, The Shipwright’s Daughter, has earned multiple CRAZIES Award nominations and wins, solidifying its place as a culinary destination
1pm - 2pm
Membership: Effective Approaches to Common Challenges
Lead by Heather Singleton & Karen Stauffer
In this open discussion format, we'll share our most common challenges and identify best-practice solutions.
Benefit management, value proposition, sales conversion, member engagement, dues collection, allied/vendor programs, etc.
2pm - 2:45pm Tech Tools: How do you use technology to maximize productivty?
Learn about how SRA's are using tools like PropFuel, Feathr, Basecamp, YakChat, Canva, Issuu, Mailchimp, ChatGBT/Gemini/other AI, OneCause, Vevox, and more.
2:45pm - 3pm Break
3pm - 3:30pm Membership Communications: Best Practices
Lead by the Connecticut Restaurant Association
The Connecticut team will kick off the conversation with strategies they've implemented this year to streamline membership communications while providing valuable and engaging content
Agenda
3:30pm - 4:15pm Events: A Group Discussion
Lead by Yvette M Tavares
What event formats does your team do best? Adding anything new for 2025? Strategies for engaging sponsors? During this group discusion, share what your SRA is doing for signature events, networking, trainings, foundation, PAC fundraisers and more
4:15pm - 5:15pm “What Do You Sell?” with Christos Provistalis
5:45pm - 9pm
Christos Provistalis is an inspirational keynote speaker and trainer focused on corporate culture and the customer care experience. In his keynote presentation, Christos will challenge us to think about customer service from the perspective of human connection, emotion, self-awareness, and perceptions Learn more at www christosspeaks com
Monday Reception & Dinner
Dinner off property Details on next page
5:45pm
Reception & Dinner
Welcome Reception at The Port of Call
Getting there: The Port of Call 15 Water Street, Mystic CT 06355
10 minute drive/Uber from Hilton Mystic Limited Street Parking
Public Parking Lot (Paid) diagonally across from Milestone: 15 1/2 Water St
Meet with Chef Reneé Touponce
Reneé is the Chef & Owner of Oyster Club and The Port of Call, both Mystic-based restaurants. Reneé is a 2024 James Beard Award Finalist for Outstanding Chef, a 2023 James Beard Award Finalist for Best Chef Northeast, and was named Chef of the Year at the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s 2022 CRAZIES Awards
6:30pm
After dinner
Dinner at Milestone
Getting there:
2 minute walk from The Port of Call
Near Milestone
PEARL Provisions + Tipples
Mix Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Dive Bar (directly under The Port of Call)
Near Hilton
The Irons Bar (located in Hotel)
More recommendations at the end of this booklet!
Agenda
Tuesday
8am - 8:30am Breakfast
Planning to explore? Here are some great spots nearby:
Mystic Diner & Restaurant - 253 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic
Pop Over Eatery - Mystic - 24 East Main Street, Mystic
Sift Bake Shop - Mystic - 5 Water Street, Mystic
The Shipwright's Daughter - 20 East Main Street, Mystic
8:30am - 9:15am Breakout discussions: Membership Communications Events and Business Development Foundation
9:15am - 10am
How are SRAs Marketing to Generation Z?
Lead by Kerry Miller
Key strategies for capturing the attention of Gen Z, a generation that prioritizes authenticity, inclusivity, and digital engagement
10am - 11am Hiring & Retention Tools for Operators
Lead by Yvette M Tavares
How do we support members with effective hiring and retention tools to attract and keep top talent in a competitive landscape. We'll discuss ideas as a team and compile a list of tools or programs that states can share with members.
11am - 11:15am Break
11:15am - 12pm
12pm - 12:30pm
Agenda
Tuesday
Effective Strategies for Prospecting
Lead by Liz Barry
What tools do you find effective for prospecting and what are your biggest challenges In this group discussion format we'll share best practices as well as creative new ideas
Restaurantowner.com
Lead by Sara Bray, National Restaurant Association
In this presentation we'll learn how to effectively market RestaurantOwner com to our members, along with the insights, tools, and training, the paltform offers to help independent restaurants find success
12:30pm Conference concludes
As we wrap up this year's conference, we'll also look to our plans for a 2025 Northeast Regional Conference
Attendees
Council of State Restaurant Associations
Suzanne Bohle | Executive Vice President
Connecticut
Elizabeth Barry | Membership & Events Manager
Jennifer Conkling-Schmitz | Foundation Director
Katie Gerber | Communications & Engagement Manager
Yvette M. Tavares | VP of Sales & Operations
Delaware
Meghan Gardner | Foundation Director
Yvette Sencion | Director of Events & Social Media
Karen Stauffer | Senior Director of Communications & Strategy
Rae Whichard | Membership Manager
Maryland
Cori Grafer | Events & Engagement Manager
Massachusetts
Sharon Driscoll | Director of Member Engagement
Christine Johnson | Director of Communications
Kerry Miller | Vice President of Operations
Malia Milstein | Foundation Workforce Development Coordinator
Renee Serafino | Director of HR & Business Operations
Attendees
New Jersey
Emily Majjar | Membership Manager
New York
Elizabeth Fordley | Training & Educational Director
Kelly Healy | Marketing & Member Relations Director
Sarah Higgins | Member Education & Events Director
Abigail Van Nostrand | Marketing Manager
Rhode Island
Traci Dufresne | Educational Foundation Director
Victoria Greco | Training Coordinator
Ryan Moot | Advocacy Coordinator
Heather Singleton | Chief Operating Officer
Cindy Stepanian | Director of Operations
Planning Committee
Suzanne Bohle | Executive Vice President | CSRA
Kerry Miller | Vice President of Operations | Massachusetts
Heather Singleton | Chief Operating Officer | Rhode Island
Karen Stauffer | Senior Director of Communications & Strategy | Delaware
Yvette M. Tavares | VP of Sales & Operations | Connecticut
Local Attractions
Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic
9AM - 5PM Daily
Olde Mistick Village
27 Coogan Blvd, Mystic
10AM -6PM Daily
Mystic Seaport Museum
75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic
10AM - 5PM Daily
Iconic Mystic River Bascule Bridge
East Main Street, Mystic
Mystic Pizza
(From the 1988 Film)
56 Main Street, Mystic
Downtown Mystic Shops & Attractions
Downtown Mystic
Enders Island
1 Enders Island, Mystic
Additional Attractions
Harkness Memorial State Park
275 Great Neck Road, Waterford
Williams Beach & Park
1 Harry Austin Drive, Mystic
Esker Point Beach Park
900 Groton Long Point Road, Groton
Foxwoods Resort Casino
350 Trolley Line Blvd, Mashentucket
Mohegan Sun Casino
1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville
Places to Eat
Andiamo Italian Restaurant
247 Greenmanville Ave
Bravo Bravo
19 East Main Street
Captain Daniel Packer Inne
Live Music Monday Night!
32 Water Street, Mystic
Engine Room 14 Holmes Street, Mystic
Go Fish
29 Old Stonington Road, Stonington
Jealous Monk 27 Coogan Blvd, Mystic Milestone 12 Water Street, Mystic
Mix Rooftop Restaurant & Bar 5 Water Street, Mystic
Mystic Diner & Restaurant
Great Breakfast Spot!
253 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic
Noble Smokehouse BBQ
4 Roosevelt Avenue, Mystic
Oyster Club
13 Water Street, Mystic
Pop Over Eatery
Great Breakfast Spot!
24 East Main Street, Mystic
Rio Rapido & Rio Salado
8 Coogan Blvd, Mystic Rocks21
3 Williams Ave, Mystic
S&P Oyster Co. 1 Holmes Street, Mystic
Sift Bake Shop
Great Breakfast Spot!
5 Water Street, Mystic
Steak Loft Restaurant 27 Coogan Blvd #24, Mystic
Taquerio
30 Broadway Ave, Mystic
The Irons 20 Coogan Blvd, Mystic
The Port of Call 15 Water Street, Mystic
Places to Eat
The Shipwright's Daughter
Great Breakfast Spot!
20 East Main Street, Mystic
Young Buns Doughnuts
Closed Tuesdays
46 West Main Street, Mystic
Breakwater
Closed Tuesdays
66 Water Street, Stonington
Dog Watch Café
194 Water Street, Stonington
Dog Watch
20 Old Stonington Road, Stonington
Gourmet Galley At Home
Prepared Food To-Go
138 Norwich-Westerly Road, North Stonington
Red 36
2 Washington Street, Mystic
Water Street Cafe
134 Water Street, Stonington
Whitecrest Eatery
Located in historic Velvet Mill
22 Bayview Ave #14, Stonington
Moe's Southwestern Grill
220 CT-12, Groton
Olio Restaurant & Bar
33 Kings Highway, Groton
The Fisherman at Long Point 937 Groton Long Point Road, Groton
The Diamond 53 Bank Street, New London
Ford's Black & Blue 65 Marsh Road, Noank
Haring's Noank 15 Riverview Ave, Noank
Utilize for flipbooks, programs, employee handbooks and more!,
