News

Summit Speakers Announced! Mayor Breed, Supervisors Mandelman, Dorsey, Engardio and more.

We are excited to announce our line-up of speakers and sessions for the Summit!
April 15, 2024
SF Nightlife & Entertainment Summit 2024 Logo

Now in its 14th year, the Summit is an opportunity to come together to address the current issues facing the industry, and discuss ways the industry and the City can continue working together toward long-term recovery.

Date: Monday, April 29, 2024

Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm.  Networking Happy Hour at Anina, 482 Hayes St., from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.

Where: 49 South Van Ness Ave, 1st Floor, Conference Center Rooms

Admission: Free and Open to the Public.

In-person capacity is limited; space is available on a first come, first served basis.

RSVP: https://forms.office.com/g/CF2x0KQBDa

 

**AGENDA AND SPEAKERS**

(subject to change)

 

 

1:00pm-2:00pm: Resource Fair in Lobby

 

Resource Tables:

•  Film SF

•  OEWD – Workforce Development Division

•  Office of the Assessor-Recorder

•  SF Dept. of Public Health – Office of Overdose Prevention

•  SF Entertainment Commission

•  SF Environment

•  SF Fire Dept. Operational Permits Division

•  SF Office of Cannabis

•  SF Office of Small Business

•  SF Planning Dept. – Prop H Program

•  SF Recreation & Parks Dept. 

•  Community Table: You're invited to place your business's fliers, business cards, and other promotional materials on this community table for Summit attendees. (Table space is available on a first come, first served basis.)

 

 

2:00pm-3:00pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks

•  Maggie Weiland, Executive Director, SF Entertainment Commission

•  Mayor London N. Breed, City and County of San Francisco

•  Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, City and County of San Francisco

•  Supervisor Matt Dorsey, City and County of San Francisco

•  Supervisor Joel Engardio, City and County of San Francisco

•  Sarah Dennis Phillips, Director, SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development

 

Remarks will be followed by a presentation: 

“Innovating After Dark: Harnessing the Potential of Legislative Reforms for SF Nightlife”

Co-Presenters: Ben Van Houten, Business Development Manager, Nightlife & Entertainment Sector, OEWD; Ben Bleiman, President, SF Entertainment Commission and Managing Partner, Tonic Nightlife Group.

Legislative changes adopted in SF and at the state level over the last several years have created new opportunities for nightlife businesses through permitting reform, liquor licensing changes, and emerging tools like “entertainment zones.” With more state bills and new programs on the horizon, this conversation will unpack how these changes can mean new opportunities for the nightlife sector.

 

 

3:00pm - 3:15pm: Break and Resource Fair  

The Resource Fair closes at 3:15pm.

 

3:15pm - 4:00pm: PANEL: “The Night Shift: Strategies for Combating Organized Theft in SF”

 

While public safety overall has improved in SF, nightlife establishments are still facing ongoing safety and security issues such as organized theft of ATMs, alcohol, and other property that are perpetrated at night.  These crimes are impacting our industry, and we will be discussing these challenges with law enforcement during this panel. 

 

•  Moderator: Lt. Leonard Poggio, San Francisco Police Department

•  District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, City and County of San Francisco 

•  Assistant Chief David Lazar, San Francisco Police Department 

•  Rodney Fong, President & CEO, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce 

•  Marisa Rodriguez, CEO, Union Square Alliance 

 

4:05pm - 4:50pm: PANEL: “Nightlife to Newlife: Emerging Trends and Strategies to Drive Engagement and Revenue Growth”

From flex retail to night markets, from immersive experiences to pop-ups, nightlife and entertainment businesses are coming up with creative solutions to increase sales and attendance. How can venues and events expand their offerings to new audiences in innovative ways? What are some adaptable models for a wide range of budgets and capacities? Our panelists discuss exciting new trends and strategies in programming and engagement that are growing revenues and building audiences.

 

•  Moderator: Marke Bieschke, Nightlife Journalist, Arts Editor of 48 Hills, and Member of The Stud Collective

•  Naz Khorram, Founder, Arcana

•  Katy Birnbaum, CEO/Founder, Into the Streets  

•  Danny Bell, SVP, Talent Buyer, Goldenvoice SF

•  Anthony Schlander, Founder, Anthony Presents; Commissioner - Neighborhood Representative, SF Entertainment Commission

 

4:50pm - 4:55pm: Closing Remarks 

•  Maggie Weiland, Executive Director, SF Entertainment Commission

 

5:00pm - 7:00pm:  Networking Happy Hour at Anina, 482 Hayes St. 

Cash Bar. Age 21+ only.