If you’ve dreamed of opening your own restaurant, SUNY Broome is offering some help.
Registration is being taken for an entrepreneur networking event featuring professionals sharing insight into the business of restaurant ownership on October 2.
Speakers like the executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County and previous restaurant owner, Victoria Giarratano, Kevin O’Hare, senior vice president of MBT Bank and local restaurateur, Jim McCoy will provide a variety of information to be followed by breakout sessions and a tour of the new SUNY Broome Culinary & Event Center in Downtown Binghamton.
[Photo: David Hermanovitch][/caption]The event takes place starting at 2 p.m. on October 2 at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator.
Call SUNY Broome Continuing Education at (607) 778-5012 course number EX900 for information. Seating is limited. The event is free, but reservations are required.
The complete schedule for the networking event:
2 – 2:30 p.m. — Network/Arrival (Event Center, 1st Floor)
Meet our guest speakers and network with other attendees.
2:30 to 2:45 p.m. — Getting Started: Becoming a Restaurateur
Victoria Giarratano is the executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County. As a previous restaurant owner, Vicki will share some tips on what worked and some of the challenges during her restaurant venture.
2:45 – 3 p.m. Evaluating the Restaurant Investment
Kevin O’Hara is senior vice president of MBT Bank. Kevin will walk us through the basics of restaurant startup financing, sources of financing, and considerations for buying an existing restaurant.
3:00-3:15 p.m. — Beyond Inventory: Building a Relationship with Your Supplier
Steven Rozen has 14 years experience as a sales representative to local restaurants and is now the regional sales manager at Maines Paper and Food Service. Managing supplies is at the heart of a restaurant’s operations. Steven will talk about the qualities to look for in a sales representative.
3:15-3:30 p.m. Service and Excellence: Hallmarks of a Successful Restaurant
Jim McCoy, longtime restaurateur and owner of Number 5 in Binghamton and Lampy’s in Endicott, will be our keynote speaker. He will share more than 40 years of experience in the industry with aspiring restaurateurs.
3:30 – 3:45 p.m. — Transition to SUNY Broome 3rd Floor
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. – Breakout Sessions: SUNY Broome 3rd Floor
Each of the speakers will meet with future and current restaurant entrepreneurs in 15-minute breakout sessions. Meet with one or all of our speakers.
Tour of the Culinary & Event Center
4:45-5:30 p.m. — Sneak Peek at the SUNY Broome Culinary & Event Center
Dr. Rey Wojdat, chair of the college’s Hospitality Programs, will provide tours of SUNY Broome’s new state-of-the-art Culinary & Event Center, which will house the college’s Hospitality programs and officially open Spring 2020.
