NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Express (NYSE: AXP) is proud to present its 30th annual
Restaurant Trade Program at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, CO from
Thursday, June 13 to Saturday, June 15. Developed for the professionals
who shape the world of dining, the American Express Restaurant Trade
Program hosts chefs, restauranteurs, and leading industry professionals
for a three-day program featuring networking events and dynamic panel
discussions with some of the industry’s leading voices.
“Restaurants are a large and important part of our American Express
Merchant family and we are committed to backing growth and innovation
within the industry,” said Gunther Bright, executive vice president,
Merchant Services – U.S., American Express. “The American Express
Restaurant Trade Program is core to that backing, acting as a platform
for chefs and restaurateurs to connect and discuss the most important
and relevant topics in the dining industry today.”
The community of American Express accepting restaurants continues to
grow. In fact, more than 114,000 more U.S. restaurant locations began
accepting American Express Cards in 2018. 1
This growth in acceptance is important to American Express Card Members
as dining out is an integral part of their daily lives. According to a recent
study 2, American Express Card Members who had made
purchases at restaurants in the prior three months reported they:
- Spent an average of 90% more at restaurants than Non-Card Members. 2
- Dined an average of 20% more times than Non-Card Members. 2
Additionally, 63% of Card Members report that when thinking specifically
about paying for restaurant purchases with American Express, they agree
they are more likely to return to a restaurant when they know it accepts
American Express. 2
At this year’s Aspen FOOD & WINE Classic, American Express will bring
iconic industry leaders together on panels to discuss how to find
long-term success in the industry. Panel discussions will include some
of the most pressing challenges facing the industry, such as increasing
diversity and incorporating new technologies that are redefining the
dining experience.
The schedule for the 30th annual American Express Restaurant Trade
Program is as follows:
THURSDAY, JUNE 13
3:30pm to 5:30pm – Kick-off Party
-
About the Event: The Restaurant Trade Program experience starts with a
kick-off party at the base of Ajax Mountain featuring drinks and food
from acclaimed chef Cheetie Kumar with collaborations from pastry chef
and author Lisa Donovan and chef Matt Kelly. - Location: Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell.
-
Chefs: Cheetie Kumar (Owner/Chef – Garland, Neptunes Parlour, Kings)
with Lisa Donovan (Pastry Chef, James Beard Award winning writer) and
Matt Kelly (Owner/Chef – Mateo Bar de Tapas).
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
9:15am to 10:30am – T100: Legacy: Meet the Masters
- Moderated by: Carla Hall (Chef, Author and Television Personality).
-
Panelists: Ashley Christensen (Chef/Proprietor, Ashley Christensen
Restaurants), Steve Palmer (Managing Partner, The Indigo Road
Hospitality Group), Will Guidara (Restaurateur/Co-Owner, Make it Nice:
Eleven Madison Park, The NoMad and Made Nice), and Ellen Yin
(Founder/Co-Owner, High Street Hospitality Group). -
Topic: Iconic industry legends and long-term American Express dining
partners share their stories and perspectives of how to find long-term
success in the industry.
1:30pm to 2:35pm – T200: Inclusion: Hospitality’s Moment to Lead
- Moderated by: Kat Kinsman (Senior Editor, Food & Wine).
-
Panelists: Nina Compton (Chef/Owner, Compère Lapin, By Water American
Bistro), Traci Des Jardins (Chef/Owner, Mijita Cocina Mexicana;
Chef/Partner, The Commissary, Arguello, Transit, Public House, School
Night), Cheetie Kumar (Chef/Owner, Garland, Neptunes Parlour, Kings),
Marcus Samuelsson (Chef/Owner, Marcus Samuelsson Group). -
Topic: A diverse group of chefs and restaurant owners will explore
equality and diversity, specifically the ways in which the hospitality
industry can proactively drive positive change within the four walls
of a restaurant, and within the community it serves.
2:45pm to 4:15pm – Afternoon Social
-
About the Event: The Afternoon Social will feature a collaborative
menu from La Cocina chefs Traci Des Jardins, Rosa Martinez and Heena
Patel celebrating the unique flavors of Latin American, Oaxacan and
West Indian flavors. - Location: Newly renovated Hotel Jerome Garden Terrace.
-
Chefs: Traci Des Jardins (Chef/Owner, Mijita Cocina Mexicana;
Chef/Partner, The Commissary, Arguello, Transit, Public House, School
Night), Rosa Martinez (Chef/Owner, Origen), and Heena Patel
(Chef/Owner, Besharam).
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
9:15am to 10:30am – T300: Innovation: The Future of the Restaurant
Industry
- Moderated by: Andrew Zimmern (Chef, Author and TV Personality).
-
Panelists: Michael Farid (Co-Founder & CEO, Spyce), Jay Livingston
(CMO, Shake Shack), Jessamyn Waldman Rodriguez (Managing Director,
Daily Provisions; Founder, Hot Bread Kitchen), and Christina Tosi
(Chef/Founder/Owner, Milk Bar). -
Topics: This business and tech discussion examines how new
technologies and forward-thinking concepts are reshaping the
restaurant industry. Panel will also forecast future innovations and
technologies within the hospitality sector.
To learn more about the 2019 American Express Restaurant Trade at the
Aspen FOOD & WINE Classic, and how you can attend, please visit: https://classic.foodandwine.com/
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing
customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich
lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com
and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress,
linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress,
and youtube.com/americanexpress.
Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility
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and credit cards, business
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services, gift
cards, prepaid
cards, merchant
services, Accertify, InAuth, corporate
card, business
travel, and corporate
responsibility.
1 Based on internal comparison of American Express small
merchant locations in December 2017 to American Express small merchant
locations in December 2018.
2 American Express commissioned Internet panel survey
conducted in November – December 2018 based on purchases made from
restaurants in the three months prior to the survey. Definition
of American Express® Card Members: Respondents who
reported that they have an American Express Card and that they used that
card to make purchases from restaurants in the prior three months. Definition
of non-Card Members: Respondents who reported that they do not
have any type of American Express Card and that they used other cards
and/or cash to make purchases from restaurants in the prior three months.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The study that provided the dining data was conducted by The Analytics
Practice within Kantar (Kantar), and is based on a survey of 802 online
interviews geographically dispersed across the U.S. with respondents who
have made dining purchases in the prior three months of the conducted
interview. 400 American Express Card Members (Consumer, Business and
Corporate) who have used American Express to make purchases from
restaurants in the three months prior to the survey were interviewed.
402 non-Card Members who do not have an American Express Card and used
other cards and/or cash to make purchases from restaurants in the three
months prior to the survey were also interviewed. All survey responses
were gathered in late November and December 2018. Kantar estimates the
survey to be approximately at a 95% level of confidence.
Contacts
MEDIA
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Melanie Backs
[email protected]
212-640-2164
