Developing a food business requires the right ingredients for success.  Think Local First DC has whipped up a day full of panels designed to help aspiring restaurant owners gather the critical knowledge needed to succeed in this demanding space. With the expertise from the Think Local First Board of Directors, participants can expect a lively, engaging, and thought provoking day that will equip them with solid skills and connections to help bolster DC's sustainable local business community.

Join Us

April 3

8:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Breakfast & lunch provided

Busboys and Poets, 5th and K

Partners include: ROC-DC and Live Green

Agenda:

8:30-9 Networking/Registration

9- Welcome from TLF- Nizam Ali/Stacey

9:20-10:30- Panel: Nuts and Bolts of Getting Started

Moderator:  Keith Sellars- WDCEP

Concept, Location, Operator

Speakers:

• ABRA Representative
• DCRA Representative
• Geoff Dawson- Riot Act/Ripple/Rocket Bar
• Noah Karesh- Blind Dog Café 
• Nizam Ali- Ben's Chili Bowl/Ben’s Next Door

10:30-11:30- Panel: Financing, Leases and Build Out

Moderator: Nizam Ali- Ben's Chili Bowl/Ben’s Next Door

Speakers:

• Bill Bonstra, Bonstra Haresign ARCHITECTS LLP
• Jeff Banks- Bank of Georgetown
• Orestes del Castillo- OdC Studio & Interiors LLC
• Frank White- Leasing expert
• Ty Neal- Matchbox

11:30-12:30- Panel: Creating, Branding and Marketing Creative Concepts

Moderator: Raj Aggarwal- Provoc

Speakers:

• Anthony Hesseslius – Linda Roth and Associates
• McKee Floyd - Sweet Green
• Geoff Dawson- Riot Act/Ripple/Rocket Bar 
• RAWDC Representative
• Perry Smith- Matchbox
• Joe Engler- H Street

12:30- Lunch/Break

12:45-1:45- Panel: Greening Your Restaurant Plan- On and Off the Plate

Moderator:  Steve Ma, Live Green

Speakers:

• Andy Shallal- Bus Boys and Poets
• Addie Spahr Kim- Green Living Consulting
• Alan Lamb- Drink Well
• Dawn Montcrief- A Well Fed World
• Adrienne Edmands- Fat Worm Composting
• Ron Rodriguez- Clean Currents
• Sheliyah -Sweet and Natural

1:45-2:45- Panel:  The Food: Where You Get It and Who Cooks It

Moderator: Andy Shallal

Speakers:

• Ellen Gray- Equinox
• Aman Ayoubi- Local 16
• Seth Cooper- White House Meats 
• McKee Floyd - Sweet Green

2:45-3:45- Panel: How to Hire the Attract and Retain the Right Staff

Moderator: ROC-DC

(PANEL PROVIDED BY ROC-DC)

3:45-4:45- Doing Business Locally

Moderated: Stacey Price- Think Local First DC

Speakers

• Andy Shallal- Busboys and Poets
• Nizam Ali- Ben's Chili Bowl, Ben’s Next Door
• Aman Ayoubi- Local 16
• Geoff Dawson- Riot Act/Ripple/Rocket Bar

4:45- Closing Remarks

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SPONSORSHIP

Community Supporter |  IN-KIND OUTREACH

• Complimentary Registration ($199 value)
• Listed as a community supporter on our website

Conference Endowment  |  $350

• Complimentary Registration ($199 value)
• Scholarship for one emerging business owner ($199 value)

Supporter  |  $500

• Logo on looping PowerPoint throughout conference facility*
• Complimentary Registration ($199 value)

Contributer   |  $1000

• Logo on looping PowerPoint throughout conference facility*
• Logo on Marketing Materials and Programs* (multiple websites, postcards, conference program)
• Ability to distribute promotional materials (distributed to 250+ people)
• (2) Complimentary Registration ($400 value)