Catersource + The Special Event Schedule 2026
View, browse, and sort the ever-growing list of sessions by pass type, track, and association.
If you are seeing varied colors of session titles, here is your guide:
- Primary Blue = Catersource education sessions
- Dark Blue = TSE education sessions
- Light Purple = Those sessions or events that can be attended by anyone with a Catersource or TSE pass or requires a separate ticket.
Find your best experience by first choosing the pass type you have purchased. This will weed out all other extraneous sessions.
Note: Sessions fill up and seating is first come, first served.
The Face Behind the Flavor: Chefs & Your Brand Identity
Speaker: Eric Caron (Lombardo's Hospitality Group)
Location: 306AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Culinary Arts
The Swicy Revolution: Exploring the Sweet-Heat Trend Captivating Late Night Snacks & Appetizers
Speaker: Joseph Pina (Chartwells)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
Unmute your Brand! Authenticity in a Loud World
Speaker: Jen Sulak (Weirdo Weddings Photography)
Location: 409AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Leadership & Professional Development, TSE-Sales & Marketing
Coast to Coast Flavor Forecast: Regional Trends Shaping the Catering World
Speakers: Elyse Remigio (Top Flight Hospitality), Zohe Felici (Premium Wedding + Event Pros | Felici Events | Santa Barbara Wedding)
Location: 403B
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, CS-Sales
From Blank Page to Bottom Line: Stress-Free Budgeting for First-Time & Unique Events
Speakers: Keri Miller (e=mc2 events), Reid Hubick (e=mc2 events)
Location: 409AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Business, Financials & Operations, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production
From Stakes to Stunning: Everything You Need to Know About Tented Events
Speaker: Jennifer Ball (Knot Your Average Events (& Travel))
Location: 306AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, TSE-Event Planning
Associations & Accreditations: ABC
Leading at 30,000 Feet (While Still Wearing a Seatbelt)
Speakers: Jennifer Perna (Fulton Market Consulting), Ryan Corvaia (Dish Food & Events)
Location: 404AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Business, Financials & Operations
Speaker: Frank Carlisi (Bold Catering & Design)
Location: 408A
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Trends & Design, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production
Associations & Accreditations: LCA
Mastering Large-Scale Catering: Logistics, Planning & Personnel for 1,000+ Guests
Speakers: Stephen Hunt (RH Events & Catering), Mary-Evelyn Kirkland (RH Events & Catering), Lee Reith (RH Events & Catering)
Location: 304ABC
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering, CS-Trends, Events & Design
Speaker: Bonnie Kravitz (Daniel et Daniel Catering and Events)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering
Red Flags: Unseen Dangers or Glaring Warnings?
Speaker: Jennifer Trotter (Lip Service Makeup (Bridal Beauty Team))
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Leadership & Professional Development, TSE-Business, Financials & Operations
Associations & Accreditations: WIPA
Should I Open a Venue? Learnings from a Three-year Journey
Speaker: Vijay Goel (440 Elm by Bite Catering Couture)
Location: 308AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Business, Financials & Operations, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production
Winning Plays: Women Leaders Driving Sports & Hospitality Forward
Moderator: Mandy Bianchi (Bianchi Productions)
Panelists: Brandy Thigpen (FIFA World Cup), Brittany Bertalotto (Dodgers365), Adeja Spain (Hollywood Park (SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater, American Airlines Plaza))
Location: 408B
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Leadership & Professional Development, TSE-Event Planning
"Are You Ready?" I Thought I Was... A Fast Chat with Executive Chef Anthony D'Anna
Speaker: Anthony D'Anna (Michelle's Catering)
Location: 306AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Sales
Breaking the Fast: Elevating Morning Catering Menus
Speaker: Boris Seymore (BDS Catering/Georgia Mae's)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
Fast Chat - Booked, Busy, and Barely Surviving: The Real Talk Panel for Parent Entrepreneurs
Speakers: Katie Mast (Rock Paper Coin), Kevin Dennis (Fantasy Sound Event Services / WeddingIQ), Elizabeth Sheils (Rock Paper Coin), Terrica . (Terrica ™ Inc)
Location: 408B
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Leadership & Professional Development, TSE-Sales & Marketing
Fast Chat - Demystifying AV Pricing
Speaker: Brian Acheson, CSEP (VIP Events, Inc.)
Location: 406AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Mgmt & Production, TSE-Business, Financials & Operations
Fast Chat - From Fire to Flow: Real World Strategies for Building & Keeping a Kitchen Team
Speaker: Richard Carter (Catering Works)
Location: 404AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Culinary Arts
Speaker: Kristin Ferrarese (Fortuna's Catering Co.)
Location: 304ABC
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering, CS-Trends, Events & Design
Fast Chat – Real Talk: From Unlocking the Door to the Catering Bid & Beyond
Speakers: Fausto Pifferrer (Blue Elephant Events and Catering), Reuben Bell (Blue Elephant Events and Catering)
Location: 403B
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Business, Financials & Operations
Associations & Accreditations: LCA
Fast Chat: A Planner & a Caterer Walk into a Wedding...(and Actually Like Each Other Afterward!)
Speakers: David Porto (Blue Plate Catering, Inc.), Jaffe Wojcik (Graceful Events)
Location: 408A
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Planning
Associations & Accreditations: LCA
Fast Chat: You Had Me at Hello: The Art of the First Impression
Speaker: Jamie Quickert (Graduate Columbus)
Location: 308AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Sales & Marketing, TSE-Leadership & Professional Development
Stump the Expert: A Fast Chat with Alan Berg
Speaker: Alan Berg (Wedding Business Solutions LLC)
Location: 409AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Sales & Marketing
Plating Master Class Part 1: Executing Fast Plating Line(s) for Multiple Courses!
Speakers: Roy Porter (Engage-Works Inc.), Sean Dent (Eternity Hospitality)
Location: Hands-on Area near Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering
School of Fish – A Catering Chefs Guide to Profitability & Sustainability
Speakers: Paul Buchanan (Primal Alchemy), Patrick (Paddy) Glennon (Superior Seafood / Culinary Liberation Front), Tommy Gomes (Tunaville Market)
Location: Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-Sustainability