"Restaurants thrive on repeat business, but customers increasingly expect more than just good service, food and drinks. They want to be engaged and entertained, and a few local food establishments are turning to location-based services and  social media to help keep customers happy and loyal."

Social media certainly has its benefits for those who love dining out. From free appetizers for Foursquare checkins, to Twitter notifications about happy hours, to Facebook messages including discounted entrees, there’s always something tantalizing happening online.

Digital media, however, offers a lot more than just discounts and deals when it comes to drinking and dining. Chefs and restaurateurs are using social media to give users a backstage pass by revealing how their dishes are made, generate familiarity with unusual ingredients and otherwise unknown dining locales, create a tailored, personal experience and provide a means for diners to share feedback.

Join us to hear from a panel of local Chefs and Restauranteurs who've been reaping the rewards of creating thriving online communities to support their foodie customers. This panel will be moderated by Ty Largo, Principal & Creative Director at UP Agency, a local marketing/PR firm where he works closely with many local hospitality providers.

Event Location: Scottsdale Hilton (6333 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250) A light dinner, and one drink is included.

Time: Doors open at 5:30PM. Dinner served at 6:45PM

Panelists:

Chef Justin Beckett (@beckettstable) opened his highly-anticipated restaurant, Beckett's Table, in the fall of 2010. Long before his first dinner service, Beckett strategically earned thousands of social media followers who witnessed the step-by-step process of recipe development, restaurant design and even had opportunities to contribute to the restaurant's concept. The online engagement resulted in a booming business from day one. Memorable moments included Justin's campaign to replace the "Butterball Hotline" during Thanksgiving by offering a Q&A forum on Facebook and Twitter for at home cooks.

Jennifer Granillo, Burrito Wrangler & Marketing Consultant, Chipotle Mexican Grill has spent nearly ten years spreading burrito love with Chipotle Mexican Grill.  In her role, Jenn helps big burrito fans throughout the Rocky Mountain Region appreciate not only the satisfying taste of Chipotle, but what also sets the restaurant company apart, Food With Integrity, a dedication to sourcing the most sustainable ingredients possible.  As a marketing consultant for Chipotle, Jenn leads strategic sales and brand building initiatives and community relations efforts for the restaurant’s locations in Arizona, Utah and Idaho. Jenn brings infectious enthusiasm to her role and has mastered everything from tv appearances and new restaurant openings – she’s helped open more than 100 locations during her time with Chipotle - to the art of making guacamole.

Jason Miller,  is currently the Digital Content and Community Manager for PFCB, Inc, and has been in the newly created role for less than year.  He has been with PFCB, Inc for over five years and also held positions as a PR and a Marketing Manager. In his current role, he acts as the voice of & represents both the P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Pei Wei Asian Diner concept in the digital & social media world.  He oversees all communication, strategy and marketing planning for both concepts in this area.

Prior to joining PFCB, Inc. in 2006, Jason has worked previously for Palace Sports & Entertainment (the parent company that owns the Detroit Pistons of the NBA and Detroit Shock of the WNBA), serving as the PR Manager for their now defunct arena football franchise as well as a community relations assistant and fundraiser for PS&E charities.  He began his professional career with the Arizona Rattlers.

Pricing:

Student $25 (Enter "STUDENT" promo code)

Members $35 (Enter "AZIMAMEMBER" promo code)

Non- Members $45

At the door $55

Registration no longer available online. Please register at the door.