Catersource + The Special Event Schedule 2026
Fast Chat: The Power of Yes – How Strategic Acceptance Transforms Catering Businesses
David Lombardo (CEO, Co-Owner, Lombardo's Hospitality Group)
Location: 403B
Date: Tuesday, March 3
Time: 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Business, Financials & Operations
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
In an industry driven by impossible requests, tight timelines, and the pressure to over-deliver, many caterers are taught to set firm boundaries to protect their sanity. But what if saying "yes" – and meaning it – could be your most powerful business tool?
In this candid and energizing session, David will explore how embracing a "yes-first" mindset has not only helped grow his catering business but has also deepened client relationships, built trust with venues and vendors, and created unforgettable moments. Saying "yes" doesn't mean saying yes to everything – it means finding the right way to say yes, with intention, creativity, and confidence.
From last-minute dietary pivots to logistical miracles, David will share real stories, the systems that support a "yes culture," and how this philosophy has shaped his team culture and client loyalty. Attendees will walk away with tools to empower staff, manage expectations, and use "yes" as a strategic advantage rather than a risk.
Because in catering, the magic is made in the moments when others would say no – and he's here to prove why being a "YES man" is not only okay... it might just be your greatest strength.