Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Lee Brian Schrager You have a knack for turning curiosity into groundbreaking ideas.
As Chief Communications Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits, Lee Schrager He is also the founder of South Beach and New York Wine and Food Festival (mounted Food NetworkHis latest invention is: Foodie Conis reimagining the food festival experience by integrating social media influencers and staying ahead of industry trends.
RELATED: Couple transforms gas station kitchen into legendary barbecue hotspot
“I remember being at a festival in New York two years ago and talking to some people and thinking, ‘What’s that long line at the Capital One tent?'” he told the Restaurant Influencers host. Shawn Walsheff of Cali BBQ MediaAs it turned out, they featured a few well-known influencers in the food industry. “I said to myself right then and there that I needed to do something with influencers, and that if the name was available, I should call it FoodieCon. That was on a Saturday. By Monday, I already owned the name.”
Despite the initial uncertainty, his wine and food festival division, FoodieCon, has since sold out, proving the concept’s huge appeal. In a rapidly evolving social media landscape, Schrager stresses the importance of listening and adapting. This mindset has allowed his events to leverage platforms like Instagram and Facebook to stay relevant and innovative. Tick ​​tock To connect with the audience.
Wine and Food Festival Expands
Lee Schrager’s flexibility and strategic thinking was further highlighted when the Los Angeles festival’s plans shifted focus to New York. Initially preparing to stage the festival in Los Angeles, Schrager followed his boss’ instructions to pivot and prioritize the New York market with the Southern Glazers in the mix. The pivot paid off, and the New York festival thrived in one of its historically toughest markets.
RELATED: A restaurateur in New York has created a safe space for celebrities to dine in with confidence
“We were so close to doing it in LA that we were happy to focus our efforts again on New York, which is one of the toughest cities to do anything in,” he says. “The New York festival just celebrated its 16th anniversary in October.”
Recent Foodie Con This is a testament to Schrager’s intuitive thinking and proactive approach.
While overseeing the New York Wine and Food Festival, Schrager noticed that vendor sponsorships drove increased traffic by featuring social media celebrities such as: Gross Pelosi and Brunch with BabsSchrager quickly recognized the potential of an event centered around influencer engagement.
Lee Brian Schrager’s work with Wine & Food Festival and Foodiecon demonstrates his ability to turn insights into impactful initiatives. “To be a good communicator, you have to be able to listen,” he asserts. “I think you have to be open to criticism. I think you have to be open to suggestions to do things differently. You have to be open to change. I think change is really important to keep up with trends.”
Related: How to start a successful restaurant The entrepreneurial chef recommends paying attention to the details.
By integrating influencer culture, implementing strategic shifts, and developing a deep understanding of effective communications, Schrager continues to set new standards of excellence and forward thinking.
About Restaurant Influencers
Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, a powerful restaurant POS and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales, and enhance guest experiences.
Toast — the driving force behind successful restaurants. Learn more toast.
Restaurant influencers are ApplauseLearn how Ovation’s guest feedback platform can actually improve your bottom line with actionable insights here.