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Lee Brian Schrager has a knack for turning curiosity into groundbreaking concepts.
Because the Chief Communications Officer and Senior Vice President of Company Social Duty at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Lee Schrager can also be the founding father of the South Beach and New York Wine & Food Festivals (powered by The Food Network). His newest brainchild, FoodieCon, is reshaping the meals competition expertise by integrating social media influencers and staying forward of trade developments.
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"I keep in mind standing at our New York competition two years in the past and simply speaking to some folks and saying to myself, 'Wow, what's that lengthy line of individuals at Capital One's tent?'" he informed Restaurant Influencers host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. It turned out that they have been that includes a couple of influencers who have been well-known within the meals area. "I mentioned to myself proper then and there, we actually have to do one thing with influencers. And I mentioned, we should always name this FoodieCon if the identify's accessible. That was on a Saturday. By Monday, I already owned the identify."
Regardless of the preliminary uncertainty, FoodieCon, which is part of his wine and meals festivals, has since bought out, proving the idea's immense enchantment. Within the quickly evolving panorama of social media, Schreger emphasizes the significance of listening and adapting, a mindset that has allowed his occasions to remain related and progressive, leveraging platforms like Instagram and TikTok to attach with audiences.
Increasing the Wine & Meals Competition
Lee Shrager's flexibility and strategic mindset have been additional highlighted when plans for a Los Angeles competition shifted focus to New York. Initially getting ready to launch a competition in LA, Schrager pivoted beneath his boss's route to prioritize the New York market, which Southern Glazer's was coming into. This shift paid off, because the New York competition has thrived in one of many traditionally hardest markets.
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"We have been seconds away from launching in LA, so I used to be completely satisfied to type of refocus my vitality into New York, one of many hardest cities to do something," he notes. "The New York competition simply celebrated its sixteenth yr in October."
The current inception of FoodieCon is a testomony to Schrager's intuitive pondering and proactive strategy.
Whereas overseeing the New York Wine and Meals Competition, Schreger seen a vendor sponsor drawing elevated site visitors by implementing notable social media figures, similar to GrossyPelosi and Brunch with Babs. Schrager shortly realized the potential of an occasion centered round influencer engagement.
Lee Brian Schrager's journey with the Wine and Meals Festivals and FoodieCon exemplifies his capacity to remodel insights into impactful initiatives. "To be able to be a superb communicator, you could take heed to folks," he asserts. "I believe you could be open to criticism. I believe you could be open to options on the best way to do it otherwise. That you must be open to alter. I believe change is absolutely necessary simply to remain present with the developments."
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By integrating influencer tradition, implementing strategic pivots, and having a deep understanding of efficient communication, Schrager continues to set new requirements of excellence and forward-thinking.
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