AccessWave

We couldn't agree more! What an incredible AccessWave Restaurant Leadership Exchange in Philadelphia. Huge thanks to our amazing attendees, PrayTell Wines & Tom Caruso for hosting, and Over Easy Office for their support. So much valuable insight and connection shared! #RestaurantLeadership #Networking #PhillyEvents

"What’s the ROI on free cake?" Honestly, a slay of a question that was brought up last night at AccessWave's Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Exchange at Pray Tell in Philly. Because sometimes, guest experience isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, it’s about making people feel special the moment they walk through the door. I had the chance to sit at a roundtable with some of the best minds in the restaurant and hospitality industry, diving into everything from third-party delivery apps to evolving guest expectations. Spoiler alert: the ones who win are the ones who go beyond the spreadsheet, think outside of the box, and truly get hospitality. So grateful to be in the room with such brilliant minds, swapping ideas, and spilling tea on what’s next.?

Huge thanks to Bill Williams and AccessWave for curating such a collaborative AI event in NYC this month! The conversations spanned across industries, each revealing how AI is shaking up the status quo. Here are my top takeaways: ?? From Christian Fortucci, CTO at David Yurman: Gen AI is transforming the way online shoppers can buy. Right now, if you search “gold bracelet” on a retailers website, you get a long list of options to scroll through. But with AI-powered smart search, you can type exactly what you want—“thin gold slinky bracelet with three charms and two diamonds”—and instantly see the perfect match. No more doom scrolling, just faster shopping and higher conversions. ?? ?? ?? Now imagine this for restaurants. The other day, I was craving vanilla olive oil cake with mascarpone and searched it in Uber Eats. My top result: CVS Pharmacy ?? . AI has a huge opportunity to make finding your exact craving ~ effortless. ?? From David Kang, EVP of Innovation at Dynamo Technologies: People are more comfortable sharing information with AI than with humans, making it a goldmine for consumer insights. Plus, AI feels like a novelty—users want to engage, ask more questions, and interact with their AI-generated results. ?? ?? ?? From Stephanie Nardini, VP of IT at Jersey Mike's Franchise Opportunity: AI-powered voice ordering is increasing average order value by +(12%). Why? People feel less guilty adding that extra cookie or bag of chips when ordering from AI instead of a human. (relatable) ?? ?? The way AI is rewiring human behavior (and most people don’t even realize it), unlocking more consumer data than ever, and helping brands create truly personalized experiences is nothing short of fascinating. Can’t wait to see how this evolves and enhances the guest experience online. Gustavo Cardona, Jeffrey Rausch, Elliott Cordo, Ashish Nachane (PMP, CSM), Luke Norris, Christopher Harrison, Alek Liskov, Dirk Hrobsky

Is your Shopify Plus strategy driving the results you need in today’s competitive E-Commerce landscape? Join AccessWave for the Shopify Plus Merchant Leadership Exchange on Thursday, April 10th, from 6:00 – 8:30 PM in NYC. This exclusive, invite-only gathering will convene 30+ senior E-Commerce leaders for an evening of insightful discussions and high-value networking in a private, upscale setting. Connect with executives from renowned brands like The Sak, Saks OFF 5TH, Rich Products Corporation, STARK, Teacher Created Materials, Girl Scouts of the USA, Levain Bakery, KHAITE and more over a thoughtfully curated dining experience. We'll be diving into proven growth strategies, customer engagement tactics, and the latest trends in acquisition, technology adoption, and partnerships to help you stay ahead in the fast-moving E-Commerce space. Don't miss out on this must-attend event for E-Commerce leaders looking to drive serious growth. Learn more and Secure your spot today: https://hubs.la/Q03dsy0S0 Follow AccessWave to stay up to date on all upcoming events! #ShopifyPlus #Ecommerce #NYC #Networking #CustomerEngagement

Navigating the tightrope of rising costs, staffing complexities, and evolving tech in the restaurant and hospitality world? You're not alone. Join 40+ senior-level executives tackling these very issues head-on at AccessWave's exclusive Leadership Exchange in Philadelphia on March 25th. Hear from leaders at SPB Hospitality, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Triple T Hospitality Group, Fearless Restaurants, Barcelona Wine Bar , DIG., FCM Hospitality and many more as we dive into strategies for driving growth, optimizing financial performance, and benchmarking the latest industry trends. This is a chance to gain actionable insights and build valuable connections to shape your strategies in 2025 and beyond. It's an impressive list of attendees - join us and participate on an agenda covering everything from sales optimization to strategic capital management....plus any topics challenging you or looking for ideas on how others are handling. Learn more and register here: https://hubs.la/Q03cjWcQ0 #Restaurant #Hospitality #Philadelphia #Networking #Restauranttech

“If your frame of mindset is chat GPT, your frame of mindset is anything in the public, it is so nerfed, it has been so built for the masses and for a SaaS based service, that, your whole mindset is entirely wrong.” Forget the hype. Last night, we uncovered the real AI strategies that are changing businesses. Here's a glimpse... Yesterday, we hosted an incredible Data & AI Leadership Exchange in NYC. Five insightful panel sessions, featuring industry leaders that delivered actionable insights on navigating AI across different industries. Panel Highlights: - “Even though they have all of this data, They don't have your data and you know at the end of the day in order for those models to be useful to you and your customers and your business and your employees, Um, that's what you need to do. You need to give them your data, uh, and that goes right back to are you gathering, cleaning, organizing your, your own company's data so that they become even more, more useful and powerful to you.” - “People will interact with an AI if they know it's not a person and they will reveal more information because they don't feel like they're talking to a salesman… there's almost like a novelty to it, like I'm getting back these AI answers so I'll just keep interacting with it and, and probing it. You have to figure out how do I scale with that technology and where's the handoff that lets me close that final loop.” A huge thank you to our expert panelists: Stephanie Nardini, VP of IT at Jersey Mike's Subs Jeffrey Rausch, Vice President, Digital Technology at Shake Shack Dirk Hrobsky, EVP at Cushman & Wakefield Peyton Johnson, Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield Luke Norris, Co-Founder & CEO of Kamiwaza Alek Liskov, Head of AI & Data Product at Intuit Mailchimp Hi-woon David K., EVP of Innovation at Dynamo Technologies, LLC Ashish Nachane (PMP, CSM), Sr. Director Data Management & Engineering at David Yurman Elliott Cordo, Founder of Datafutures Rong P., Head of AI at Datafutures Christopher Harrison, CEO of EmergeGen Christian Fortucci, CTO at David Yurman Doug Jensen, SVP GTM at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. And of course, to everyone who joined us for the discussions, networking, and delicious food and drinks! Our goal at AccessWave is to provide more than just insurance and benefits solutions. We're committed to delivering exclusive insights and networking opportunities that empower your business. Last night's event was a testament to that commitment. For those who attended, it was fantastic connecting with you! If you missed out, follow us (AccessWave and check out our schedule (https://lnkd.in/eHUNkDi7) to stay up to date. #DataAI #LeadershipExchange #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Networking #Innovation #NYC #AccessWave

Are you truly maximizing your M365 stack? Using Co-Pilot effectively? Optimizing cybersecurity and license costs? Where does your company stand compared to these industry benchmarks... - 132% to 353% ROI realized by SMBs using Copilot. - 90%+ patch compliant rate. - ~70% of Fortune 500 use Microsoft 365 Copilot. - 14% average cost reduction with license optimization. Join AccessWave for an exclusive Leadership Exchange focused on Microsoft stack use cases and optimization. Connect with top executives and thought leaders to engage in peer-to-peer discussions on best practices, innovative ideas, and effective solutions. Topics: - Co-Pilot AI Adoption: How are leading companies using Co-Pilot to transform their products, customer experiences, and operations? - Cybersecurity: Patch management, threat protection, monitoring, identity management. - Licensing: Cost-effective buying sources, selecting E1/E3/E5, automating management. - Rest of the Stack: Are you utilizing the full potential of your M365 investment? Our Leadership Exchanges provide unparalleled access to insights you won't find through a simple search or within your existing network. Expand your knowledge, forge valuable connections, and position your business for success in the age of AI. This exclusive event is your opportunity to: - Gain insights into real-world M365 use cases and optimization strategies. - Network with fellow executives and industry thought leaders. - Discover best practices for Co-Pilot adoption, cybersecurity, and licensing. - Ensure you're maximizing your M365 investment. Space is limited – Join 15+ founders, CIO’s, CTO’s, and IT leaders today! https://hubs.la/Q03bt7Jr0 Follow AccessWave to stay in the loop on future leadership exchanges. #Microsoft365 #M365 #Copilot #Cybersecurity #Networking

Want to hear how others are driving their e-com growth? What strategies are working? What investments are paying off? What has worked to scale? What has not? This event is your opportunity to network and learn from peers who are successfully navigating the complexities of e-commerce growth. Join AccessWave for an exclusive Growth Marketing Leadership Exchange, where we'll dive deep into the critical challenges and exciting opportunities facing the digital commerce industry today. This interactive session is designed to give you strategic insights to help you and your business thrive in 2025 and beyond. March 20th | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Midtown, NYC We are thrilled to host Jarrad Berman, Partner at TZP Group, a leading private equity firm specializing in investments across consumer, e-commerce, and business services industries. With extensive experience in e-commerce, marketing leadership, and business growth strategies, Jarrad plays a pivotal role in helping brands scale and thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape. Topics / Agenda: - Navigating the 2025 Growth & Investment Landscape – Explore key market trends, shifting consumer behaviors, and the evolving role of private equity in scaling high-growth companies. - Positioning Your Brand for Scalable Success – Learn how leading companies optimize operations, financials, and market positioning to drive sustainable growth and attract strategic investment. - Building Strategic Partnerships & Investor Relationships – Understand how high-growth brands leverage partnerships—with investors, platforms, and other industry leaders—to accelerate scale, market reach, and long-term value creation. - Beyond Capital: How PE Firms Provide More Than Just Funding – Discover how private equity-backed companies tap into operational expertise, leadership support, and strategic resources to optimize customer acquisition and retention. - Scaling Profitably in 2025 & Beyond – Engage in an open discussion on balancing growth with profitability, improving operational efficiency, and identifying the right funding or strategic opportunities for long-term success—including insights from one of the industry’s top private equity firms. This exclusive event is your opportunity to: - Gain unparalleled insights from a leading private equity expert and fellow e-commerce leaders. - Network with industry leaders and peers. - Position your business to capitalize on 2025's growth opportunities. - Engage in actionable discussions and expand your strategic network. Space is limited – secure your spot today! https://hubs.la/Q03bpkp80 Follow AccessWave to stay in the loop on future leadership exchanges. #networking #leadershipexchange #privateequity

How do you make your home services business truly stand out in 2025? Discover strategies next week. We're just one week away from our Home Services Leadership Exchange, and the response has been incredible! Following up on our previous post, we're down to the final spots for this exclusive event. Join industry leaders like Andy Yost (former CMO at HomeServe USA) and 50+ of your peers for a candid discussion on driving growth, securing partnerships, and scaling effectively. We'll be diving deep into the challenges and opportunities facing the home services sector, and providing actionable insights you can implement immediately. Recap: - Who: Andy Yost, Tim Daly (Vincodo), David Torchiano (Sprygg), Wiley Cirelli (HouseAccount), and Marie Davis (former HomeServe). - What: Home Services Leadership Exchange - candid discussion on scaling and success. - When: Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM - Where: Red Bank, NJ (location details upon registration) - Why: Gain insights, network, and accelerate your growth. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your business. DM us to secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/ewvPxnsW Follow AccessWave to stay in the loop on future leadership exchanges. #Homes #Utilities #Water #Networking #LeadershipExchange

Restaurant expanding? Raising capital? Driving Growth? Secure Your Restaurant's Future in 2025. Join Jim Balis, Partner & Head of Strategic Operations at CapitalSpring & AccessWave for this complimentary event. It is designed to equip restaurant owners and executives with the financial strategies needed to scale, innovate, and thrive in today's competitive market. Join fellow restaurant executives and innovators for a deep dive into securing capital, scaling operations, maximizing profitability and networking at this exclusive Restaurant Leadership Exchange. March 11th, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Midtown, NYC Directly access Jim's expertise in this interactive session covering: - Securing Strategic Investments: Learn how to attract and secure capital from leading investors like CapitalSpring. - Scaling Restaurant Operations: Discover proven methods for efficient and profitable scaling. - Optimizing Profitability: Dive into financial best practices to maximize your margins. - Navigating Industry Challenges: Address rising costs, labor shortages, and evolving consumer preferences. - Exploring Alternative Financing Options: Learn about private equity, venture capital, and strategic partnerships. This exclusive event is your opportunity to: - Gain invaluable insights from a leading restaurant financing expert. - Network with fellow restaurant executives and industry innovators. - Accelerate your restaurant's financial growth trajectory. - Enjoy a great networking experience. Space is limited – secure your spot today! https://lnkd.in/eVMeb2VU Follow AccessWave to stay in the loop on future leadership exchanges. #RestaurantFinance #RestaurantFinance #Investment #Restaurant #Networking #Investment