Daily Schedule

Join an insightful discussion with leading voices from the Delaware Restaurant Association, Henlopen Hospitality, Stonebridge Companies, Atlas Restaurant Group and University of Delaware Hospitality Department as they examine emerging trends and intelligence, workforce issues and regulations as they share valuable insights shaping the future of hospitality.

Moderated by Keynote Speaker, Dr. Bryan Deptula

Cheryl Buynak - Atlas Restaurant Group, - Cheryl is Vice President of Human Resources where she leads enterprise people strategy for a growing, multi-brand hospitality organization. With over 30 years in the hospitality industry and 24 years in Human Resources, Cheryl brings a deeply grounded perspective shaped by hands-on operational experience, corporate leadership, and work both within and outside the United States.
Her background in operations informs a practical, business-minded approach to people strategy, one that reflects the realities leaders and teams face every day. Cheryl partners closely with executive leadership to build scalable talent and leadership systems that support growth while preserving the culture, accountability, and service standards that define the brand.

Known for balancing strategic rigor with a genuine people-first mindset, Cheryl is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and creating environments where teams feel supported, engaged, and empowered to do their best work. She is also deeply committed to the future of the hospitality industry, actively supporting youth engagement and early-career development through collaboration with the Delaware, Maryland and Texas Restaurant Associations and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to help introduce and inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Meghan Gardner - Director, Delaware Restaurant Foundation - Meghan “Meg” Gardner is the Vice President of the Delaware Restaurant Association and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation. She joined the organization in 2023, bringing decades of experience as a restaurant owner, mentor, and industry advocate. Prior to stepping into her executive role, Meg served on the Association and Foundation Boards of Directors and coached ProStart students through statewide and national competitions.

A native Delawarean, Meg began her hospitality career at the Charcoal Pit in Pike Creek and later spent 18 years as owner of the Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, where she built a nationally recognized restaurant known for excellence, mentorship, and inclusive workplace culture.

As Vice President, Meg provides strategic leadership across workforce development, education, and enterprise initiatives, helping align industry needs with training, credentials, and career pathways. Her work focuses on strengthening partnerships, expanding opportunity, and positioning Delaware as a leader in hospitality workforce innovation.

Benjamin Gray - Co-Founder Henlopen Hospitality - Ben is a nationally recognized hotel executive and co-founder of Henlopen Hospitality with over 15 years of experience leading independent and branded properties to top-tier performance. As a GM and COO, he has driven 95%+ guest satisfaction, overseen 300+ employees, managed more than $100M in assets, and led major operational turnarounds. His leadership has earned AHLA National General Manager of the Year, Hilton’s Lighthouse Award, Wyndham’s Best of the Best and Hotel of the Year, and recognition as one of Delaware’s 40 Under 40. Ben specializes in service culture development, financial performance, and fractional CEO advisory focused on increasing NOI and maximizing asset value.

Dan Jasinski - Stonebridge Companies - Regional Vice President of Operations at Stonebridge Companies, Dan also serves as the incoming President of the OCMD Hospitality Association (formerly known as Ocean City Hotel-Restaurant Association), the Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association Government Affairs Committee, and the Profit Sword Advisory Council.

Sheryl F. Kline University of Delaware - Dr. Kline is the deputy dean of the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and the Aramark Chaired Professor in Hospitality and Sport Business Management at the University of Delaware. Previously, she served as interim dean and associate dean at the University of South Carolina's College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management. Dr. Kline's research, which focuses on organizational behavior and training in the hospitality industry, developed during her time at Purdue University, where she was the C. B. Smith Professor and director of the Center for the Study of Lodging Operations.

Ranked among the top 25 most productive scholars in hospitality management (Way et al., 2012), Dr. Kline began her academic career at Widener University and has over a decade of industry experience in casino, hotel, and resort management. She teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses and mentors students. Dr. Kline is active in industry associations, including I-CHRIE, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and the Delaware Restaurant Association, serving on their boards.

She has received several teaching and research awards, including the I-CHRIE John Wiley and Sons Award for Innovation in Teaching and the McCool Breakthrough Award in Hospitality Education. Dr. Kline was also named a Delaware Business Woman of the Year by Delaware Today magazine.

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Sunday March 8, 1:00 pm

Spotlight Stage

Join the Maverick Mixologist, Dean Serneels, on-stage session to explore the newest cocktail trends and discover practical, ready-to-implement concepts designed to elevate your beverage offerings and maximize profitability.

BIO

Dean Serneels’s career spans more than three decades as a bartender trainer, influencer, inventor, producer, and ambassador for the craft of hospitality.

Starting behind the bar, Dean combined technical skill with flair and showmanship, teaching generations of bartenders the fundamentals of mixology and the art of performance.

As inventor of the Flairco Flair Bottle and the Flairco Portable Bar, he designed tools that made flair bartending more accessible, durable, and stage-ready, bringing a practical edge to theatrical bar service. A founding member of the Flair Bartenders Association, Dean helped formalize standards, mentorship, and community for performers who blend drink-making with entertainment.

His influence extended to film as a producer of Shaken and Stirred, the Movie-The Story of Flair Bartending a project that showcased flair within cocktail culture and tells the stories of the people who shape it.

Known for entertaining guests with simple, delicious cocktails, flair, magic, and a sharp sense of humor, Dean prioritizes connection over complexity: he believes bartending is more than mixing drinks —it’s about connecting with guests, entertaining with authenticity, and expressing who you are.

Through his passion for cocktail creation, flair, and performance, Dean helps bartenders everywhere find confidence in their craft and bring genuine showmanship to every pour. Across decades of teaching, product innovation, community leadership, and media work,

Dean Serneels has left an indelible mark on modern bartending, inspiring professionals to balance precision, creativity, and personality behind every bar. His workshops and keynote appearances worldwide continue to elevate service standards and inspire new performers. Dean remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of bartenders everywhere.

Monday March 9, 10:00 am

2nd Floor Industry Insights Room 209

WINNING CONFLICT
FINDING THE ‘WIN’ IN EVERY CONFLICT

WHY THIS TOPIC? In the hospitality sector, conflict is inevitable and ranges from front desk guest engagement and contract disputes with vendors to the frequent employee-boss friction that drives turnover. When left unmanaged, these disputes trigger an anti-learning cycle where defensiveness stifles collaboration and performance.

The best leaders recognize that they have a responsibility to know how to lead through these moments because their leadership identity is directly tied to how they handle the "unknown unknowns" of a crisis. Because people "quit their bosses, not their jobs," mastering the art of winning conflict is the single most effective strategy for retaining top talent, negotiating better contracts with vendors, improving employee performance, and elevating the guest and client experience.

In this keynote, Dr. Bryan Deptula—author of the book and presenter of the viral TEDx Talk "Leaders Are Born To Be Made"—reframes conflict as a necessary engine for organizational health. Conflict is not a static event but a contagious and dynamic process that creates energy. This session explores the "C" (Conflict) in the Leader M.U.S.C.L.E. model, shifting the goal from merely "handling" disputes to "Inviting Good Conflict". You will learn to harness the energy of disagreement to drive innovation and team synergy.

Dr. Bryan Deptula is a Maker of Leaders who delivers Pain Relief for Businesses. Bryan is the most down-to-earth PhD, Speaker, and Entrepreneur in the hospitality industry. He's the only hospitality consultant with a 6-inch facial scar from a knife fight, who went from being the 'King of Spring Break' to the 'Hospitality Business Physician.'

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Dr. Bryan Deptula, a leadership and organizational strategist; and Ben Gray, an Executive and specialist in hotel operations and systems recently launched Henlopen Hospitality. Services include Franctional CEO, Sales. Operations. Systems, Leadership Development & Coaching, M & A Exit Strategy.