Toastin' Teddy

Every now and then, someone comes along and makes a difference.  They give love, laughter and lessons in life without you even realizing it.  Teddy was a giver.  He loved life.  He gave to others as easily as we blink our eyes.  He was full of love and laughter.   Over the years, Teddy and I became really great friends... he was supposed to be a work colleague, but somewhere along the way we actually became friends and he became part of my family.  

In the hospitality industry, we all travel a lot.   The wonderful thing is when you travel a lot and are around the same people a lot, you get to know them.  You become friends and they become part of your life.  When I decided to leave my former company so many years ago, Teddy was one of the first people to call me and say, whatever you need... I'll be there.  He was true to his word.  I started my own company and from the first day.... he was supportive, full of ideas and never looked back.  

When I decided to launch my own conference, Teddy jumped in with both feet and asked, "What can I do?  What do you need?".  He was there from the beginning and never missed a beat.  He was the Chairman of my Advisory Board and he was involved and invested in every project that we worked on together.  Teddy was a light that shined brightly.   A beacon of light that touched so many different people.   

My heart has a huge hole in it.   I talked to Teddy a lot.   We talked work, we talked family, we talked sports, we talked wine, we talked ideas.... Basically, we talked about anything.  One of his favorite topics was his beautiful daughter, Ella.   He loved her so much.   He was so proud and it was so obvious how much he adored her.  I felt so honored that Teddy shared his family stories with me. Most of us in the industry, are somewhat private when it comes to our personal lives.   We keep that close to heart, so you know that you are really good friends, when you are comfortable enough and close enough friends to share your family.   Teddy would start telling a story that involved Ella or his wife, Gabriella and just light up.  It was a special bond he had with his family and it always touched me to see such a different side of him from the one the industry knew.  Teddy loved his family.  He loved his friends.  He loved life.  He lived it.  He's one of those people who lived it every day... and based on all of the posts, tributes and toasts I have seen over the past several days.... he has every friend that he ever made... still on his side.  

Teddy was a kind, generous soul who gave willingly and smiled and laughed.  Teddy stressed but he was one of those that as he stressed he talked to himself and if you were stressed, he talked to you.   I am so lucky to have known him.  I am so lucky that we became such great friends and that he was such a huge part of my circle.   

We will honor his legacy and we will forever hold the memories in our hearts.   The number 11 will constantly remind us that he felt a strong connection to that number and now, we all cling to it as well.  

Teddy, thank you for being my friend.  Thank you for sharing your laughs and love with the entire industry.   Thank you for having a heart of gold and so big that it enveloped anyone that ever crossed your path.   Thank you for your support and for always being there to listen.   I will miss our state of the industry calls ... Where we solved the world's problems...and came up with crazy ideas that we knew somehow would always work.  Thank you for the Buttercup song which will forever be one of my fondest memories.  I will always raise my glass to toast you... And I will never replace the Chairman's seat.   Toastin' Teddy -- Today, Tomorrow and Always.  We love you, my friend.   You will forever be in our hearts and you will truly be missed.   #toastinteddy #chairmanoftheboard #hee #pineapplegroup #teddymac #teddymcaleer 

Lessons from Cinderella

Have Courage and Be Kind.  Strong message, right?  

Walt Disney has created yet another hit with their "grown-up" version of Cinderella.  The beloved animated classic has come to life on the big screen at theatres nationwide with a powerful message.  Yes... I went to see the movie and not a child in tow.  In fact, 4 grown women... and we loved every moment.  I almost wondered if Disney were not reaching out to our teens and young adults with this version.... in a way that maybe... just maybe... they might get it.  The beloved classic stayed true to the Brother Grimm story... but in the adult version... what shines the most is the spirit of kindness within the heart of Cinderella.   Her ailing mother ... beckons her... to "have courage and be kind" and that message is repeated through-out the movie even though Cinderella is put through many tests... by her wicked stepmother.  

True to the classic, Cinderella's heart wins in the end and she stays true to herself with one lasting shot at her stepmother.  "I forgive you".  What a refreshing change for the movies... and uplifting message for our children and teens, as well as ourselves. 

As I sat watching the movie... I could only hope that somehow... parents everywhere were taking note. Disney once again proved that they have the magic.  

Watch, Listen and Learn

Sales and Marketing..... are like bread and butter, peanut butter and jelly, eggs and bacon, salt and pepper.  Sometimes you can allow them to stand alone... but together they make a pretty awesome team.    

Why, this topic?  Well... lately, I have been wondering how the millennial perspective on sales and marketing differs from the baby boomers.  I've been thinking a lot about what motivates the new generation and how they will find success with new methods, new processes and new ways of thinking.  I believe this whole "common core" introduction into our elementary, middle and high schools has me really upset which led to this insight of why do we need to change something if it's not broken.  

I've thought about history and all those successful people who never had common core in their schools... why, some didn't even go to school.   I am not an advocate for NOT getting an education.  I am just questioning WHY the need to change something that has educated millions of people.  Recently,  I have really become vested in monitoring the millenial engagement specifically as it applies to the hospitality industry.   I am intrigued.  They are very loyal to brands, but they are not afraid to try something new especially if the name attracts them... or the picture.  They are a posting, tweeting, instagramming, snapchatting and whatever else conversationalist.  Everything they do seems to go somewhere on social media.  These shared experiences have elevated the opportunites for how businesses apply sales and marketing techniques.  

I often think of it as "Clash of the Titans".  Old School vs. New School until recently when I was out dining at one of my favorite chain restaurants and had the opportunity to watch the x and y generations  and maybe some before that.... come together in a way that I had not really noticed before.  Mastros has mastered the social connectivity between all ages not only with food, beverages but specifically with their live music in the lounge area.  (They also have a separate dining area for those that want to be a little further away from the music).  This chain... has me mesmerized.   I have been to numerous locations in various cities and they all have the same energy and buzz, but in NYC, I saw how the boomers, the millenials and everybody else can come together and probably not even realizing it.  

I always request the lounge... just for the entertainment value.  By that, I do mean, the people-watching and the engagement of people.  Just eating, drinking and being social.   The location in NY is right off of 52nd and Avenue of the Americas and just full of energy.  The musical act was a trio who were very talented.  They played songs from days of yesteryear to Adele to Sia.   The amazing thing is that they were songs that connected to the guests.  People were finishing dinner and gravitating toward the band area... where both boomers and millenals shared the common thread.  Music.  

As I sat and watched the scene unfold... it made me realize that maybe we aren't so different from the Y generation.   Maybe... we just need to connect in the right way.   As I thought about this... I thought about the many times I had sat with my parents... and listened to "their" music and found that I really like it.  To this day... when my mom's favorite song comes on... "Charlie Brown" by the Coasters... I smile.  I've grown to love that song. 

Each day we learn from our experiences and we grow from them.   Every day our normal routine provides us the tools to learn and share.  So... every time I spend an evening at Mastros... listening to great music, imbibing on my favorite wine and savoring delicious food... I'll mark that down as I'm not only enjoying myself... but I'm learning.   Mastros has applied a unique sales and marketing strategy that aligns with every age demographic and its working.   

Btw, if you have not been to a Mastros yet... YOU have to go .. and please do yourself a favor and order the Butter Cake.   Absolutely the BEST dessert I have ever eaten in 50 years.  You will thank me!  

So... cheers and remember... our children and their children...they aren't so different...we just need to watch, listen and learn.  

    On my recent trip to Mastros... I enjoyed my favoirte all time wine - JARVIS.  

The infamous BUTTER cake.. they also bring a side of whipped cream to go on top.  

Inspiration - The Gift that Keeps on Giving.

Inspiration is one of those things that is either hit or miss, right?  I mean... one minute you're sitting there thumping your head against the wall and the next.... you're bouncing to the rafters with so many ideas ... you think your head will explode.  

I've found that for myself.... inspiration hits in several different ways.   First... in the middle of the night... when I just think that I want to be asleep... or I'm pretending to be asleep.... it slips in... and BAM!  There it is... I open my eyes wondering if I ever went to sleep.  This has happened a great deal... so now... my solution... I have a pad and a pen right beside my bed... and when inspiration strikes... I just go with it.  I turn on the light... write it all down... think it through... as best I can at 2 and 3 in the morning and then ... go back to sleep... much sounder.  

Secondly... in the middle of conversations.   For some reason... it seems contagious to have a conversation with someone and they are excited about a project, an idea, a new restaurant or whatever it may be... and then all of a sudden.... you're drawn in.  You're just as excited and somehow this creates an internal energy that has a mind all of it's own.  

Lastly... inspiration... hits when I least expect it.  Driving down the road... sitting quietly by the fire... enjoying a quiet dinner.... the thoughts come at rapid fire.  It's times like these that I am grateful... because the creative process is one that you just don't question.   Whether you are planning an event, a promotion... working on a new menu, creating a new cocktail... planning a sales or marketing strategy... inspiration is all the same.  You just take it... and go with it.  

As I sit here writing this blog... I just realized... I had 2 new ideas for something... that came to me... just like that.  Whatever your situation.. and however you are inspired.... take it and run with it.   Be grateful for it... and use it to fuel your passion.   For me... inspiration is something that is like a gift that keeps giving and giving and giving.  I hope I never unwrap it completely!  

Be a Badass Everyday!

Every time I see these words... I smile.  As I look back over the last 7 years... I realize how far I've come.   There have been ups and downs... times when I wasn't sure I was going to make it.  Then... somehow... the tide turned.   The last 7 years have been pure joy... even with the stress of starting my own business... mapping the way... it has been one journey that I am glad to be on.  

Be Strong.  There are always times when it's easy to give up and give in.  Times when you think throwing in the towel is the easiet thing to do.  Who said life was easy?  It's not... and it's during these times... that those words need to be said over and over.  For me..... when I am weak.... being strong seems like asking an alien to come down and beam me up... scotty... but somehow... when you say them out loud... your confidence soars.   You realize that mentally you want to be strong..... and by telling yourself over and over.... you begin to believe.  

Be Brave.   It's a big world out there... and when you are feeling like the goldfish in a huge ocean with bigger fish... then yes, it's scary.   You want to crawl in a hole... and just hibernate.  Like bears in the winter...just find a cave...and sleep away the big bad wolf.  Right?  WRONG.   Being scared is part of life.  Being able to overcome the fear is what makes you a better person.  

Be Humble.  When we succeed... we need to do it graciously because you never know when you are going to be down again.   Failure helps us to grow and become more focused and determined.  Being humble is our way of reminding us of where we have been and how far we have come.  

Be Badass Everday... this I love the most.  Wake up every day thinking.... I will rule this day... no matter what comes along.  I will be the best version of me possible.  

Somehow... when you put things into perspective... at the end of the day... smile, keep a good attitude and go for it.  

The Exchange Gains Momentum

January ... is always the first month of the year.   It's always a time of resolutions.  A time to start over and begin again.  This year... I planned one of my programs for the very first week after the New Year.  What on earth was I thinking?  Well.. in retrospect, whatever I was thinking.. it turned out to be quite successful.  

Yes, the holidays made things a little more hectic since everyone was in holiday mode.. but the end result is really all that matters.  The Exchange has been a labor of love since the very first one.  The sole focus of the program is relationships and of course, our passions... beverages.  HEE West 2015 proved to be the best one to date.  With more than 90 key suppliers and operators joining, it truly set the bar for future dates.  

Things kicked off with Tony Abou-Ganim, the Modern Mixologist wowing the crowd with some reminders on how important attention to detail is when you are behind the bar.   Ice is a key ingredient in every cocktail and when he broke out the chain-saw to Ice, Ice Baby... the audience loved it.  Tony has become known as one of the top mixologists in the world and was recently named to the top 10 most influential in the beverage industry over the past 25 years.... by Cheers magazine.  He was joined on the list by Dale DeGroff and Kathy Casey, who were both in attendance for HEE West.  

Following Tony's presentation, the supplier marketplace kicked the event off with a night of innovations.  Each supplier showcased one innovation that they wanted to engage operators in for 2015.   The night was filled with  laughter, toasts and conversations.   It set the tone for the next two days.  

Day 1 of the Exchange is always the busiest as it is jam packed with sessions, one-on-one meetings, a little fun and of course a great evening filled with fantastic food and wine.   Tim Kirkland of Renegade Hospitality and Michael "Bumby" Bombard of Straight Up Solutions teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind custom presentation.   For anyone who has ever heard either of them speak... you know without a blink of the eye... it was amazing.   Their insights really started the first full day off with a bang!  The core of the Exchange are the one-on-one meetings.  This is what makes the program so unique and honestly, so successful.   The room was buzzing with energy, the meetings were endless.   Lunch provided to be very engaging with Dean Serneels of American Beverage Marketers entertaining us with his take on shared cocktails and unique vessels.   Think... watering can, beer tower, coffee pot... trifle bowl... flower pot?   Are you kidding?  No... Dean really wowed us with about 10 different shared cocktails in some crazy vessels... but for some reason... they worked.   When he brought out the bloody mary with the huge chicken appetizer.... the audience immediately came to full attention.   The interactive chat was full of passion, energy, information and ideas.  It resonated with the participants that as we all go about our daily jobs... inspiration can come from just about anyplace.  

The afternoon got a kick-start setting the stage for the King of Cocktail, Dale DeGroff.  Dale is a pioneer for binging the craft cocktail movement to where it sits today.  He is a mentor to many of our top mixologists today... gaining huge recognition for his stint at the legendary Rainbow Room.  

Dale has his own line of bitters... and his session was called I'll Take Manhattan creating a very unique tasting experience using various bitters.   Did you ever imagine that bitters could change the entire personality of a drink?  

Later in the day... the next session of one-on-ones were full of energy and the meetings were productive.  The core of the Exchange focuses on conversations.  Yes... we ask our participants to tweet, facebook, instagram... but we truly focus on face to face interaction in every aspect of the program.  

To close out the afternoon, we put together a really fun "Iron Chef Tag Team" Competition featuring old school vs. new school.   First up.... we had the 3 legends.. who were named to the top 10 list... led by their captain... Tony Abou-Ganim.    The competition featured the talents of Charlotte Voisey, Philip Raimondo and Brian Loukmas.  Now... for many of you... who may not follow Food Network.... both Tony and Charlotte have been on Iron Chef several times... with Tony being the reigning champion... so to say we played on that a little... well... OF Course, we did.    

We asked Mike Tolley and Michael "Bumby" Bombard to pick a team... and they would be their MC as well as cheerleader.  Needless to say.... Bumby definitely got into the spirit of things.  We had each team pre-bach one cocktail with 4 ingredients or less to get our audience in the mood.   We labeled the drinks red drink and yellow drink... so the audience would not know which team created each and they could vote for the drink and not the personalities.   They enjoyed sipping on these cocktails during our lively battle.  

Now... our teams...kept wanting to know the rules... wanting information... but as most of you know... I love spontaneous excitement.  I love spur of the moment and "in" the moment.   Behind the scenes, I had asked Chef Clarissa to create a 3 course menu.  Appetizer/Entree and Dessert.  I then asked her to pick one ingredient that she felt would bring out the best of each dish and the teams had to use that particular item in their cocktail.   Prior to knowing what the dishes were.... each team had to pick who would create each course.  

Each team would be judged with 4 categories.  The audience would get the presentation vote.  Then we had a panel of judges... Chef Rick Moonen, Jeannie Villarreal from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and  Dean Serneels with American Beverage Marketers.  The judges would get to taste each course and try the cocktails for their categories of Taste/Technique/Balance.  

So... how did the teams pair up... well.... Brian Loukmas and Kathy Casey were pitted against each other for the appetizer round.  As luck would have it... Tony Abou-Ganim and Charlotte Voisey were in a re-match for the entree round... and then the King of Cocktail, Dale DeGroff would take on Philip Raimondo in the dessert round.  

The great thing about this afternoon event was... the audience really got into it.  They were cheering, sipping their red and yellow drinks... and engaging.   Bumby and Tolley did a great job bringing the audience into the play by play with a few shenanigans of their own.

In our best IRON Chef style... Chef Clarissa came out and unveiled the dishes... one by one along with the secret ingredients.   Appetizers had to use pears.... Entrees had to use Fennel and the Dessert Round had to use pistachios.  

Let the battle begin.... it was crazy, chaotic, clever and most of all ... truly enjoyable.  All 3 had to make their cocktails at the same time... and to say they were having fun is putting it mildly.  Kathy kept taking ice... which was not provided... it was on one of the tables with the pre-batched drinks... so they had to scope it out.  There was a pantry filled with many different spirits, wines, mixers, fruits, etc.  

And away they went.  It was clear that Charlotte was the audience favorite from the get go... as she got a cheering section that really got into it.  The teams had 15 minutes to come up with their cocktails... and create them.  Madness & Mayhem!  It was AWESOME!!!! 

When the timer sounded the drinks were presented by category... and of course, Loukmas named his cocktail after yours truly... so he definitely GOT my vote for appetizer round.   All of the drinks were gorgeous... but the end result... was TEAM CHARLOTTE had taken the title.   There was a lot of good natured ribbing and fun all around.   it was a fantastic way to end day 1 and get ready for our baja bbq under the beautiful San Diego sky.   

One of the great things about the Exchange is it is very relaxed and laid back.  No ties.  No pressure.  No stress of feeling pulled here and there.   The first full day comes to an end with an outdoor dining experience complete with grilled skirt steak and all the fixin's for a bbq to remember.    The wine is fantastic... and the conversations are endless.   Following dinner... is a tradition that has become near and dear to anyone who has been to any of the previous Exchanges.... our very own "Philly Joel" as he was dubbed.   Phil Raimondo is simply amazing on the piano and the crowd always joins in to sing along as we have a great night of laughter, bonding, toasting and of course singing!  

Sometimes... I take a deep breath... and just give a huge silent thanks... because I know that I am really blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people.  

The Exchnage has 2 full days... with the second day... kicking off with a Bar Redeux session from Kathy Casey and Phil Raimondo.  Yes... we played hard... and we work hard... the room is full... even after a night of shenanigans.   The one on one meetings continue followed by a wonderful lunch on the outdoor terrace patio overlooking the golf course.   The afternoon is kicked off by the ambassadors for William Grant giving a terrific Whiskey Bootcamp.  the accents are all there and their passion is shining through for the love of whiskey.  

The final one on ones come to a close... which sets up the excitement for the final dinner.  There are no words to describe the feeling at this point... its adrenaline flowing... relief that it came off so successfully but most of all ... I feel very grateful.  Grateful to be able to do what I love to do and be surrounded by some of the most amazing people ever.    The final dinner features Celebrity Chef Rick Moonen, his famous ice cream game and his predicitions for 2015 in trends.  He has been on Top Chef, the Hallmark channel and numerous other television shows... but tonight... he is my very good friend... sharing his own passion.   If you want to experience his cuisine and cocktails first hand... next time you are in Vegas... stop by RM Seafood or Rx Boiler Room... both are located in Mandalay Bay Shoppes.   You will not be disappointed!!!!   As the night winds down... the cheers and toasts continue... I look around the room... and smile... for I know... I am in the right place at the right time... the momentum has hit.. and this is my family.