The hospitality industry is witnessing a powerful movement, and it’s being led by women who refuse to accept the status quo. If you’re a food and beverage professional looking to connect with trailblazers, sharpen your leadership skills, and be part of something truly transformative, mark your calendar: the 2nd Annual Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference returns to Wynn Las Vegas on April 19-20, 2026: and tickets are on sale now.
This isn’t just another industry conference. It’s a rallying point for women at every career stage who are ready to break barriers, build connections, and reshape the future of hospitality.
Three Powerhouse Organizations Unite for Change
The Women’s Hospitality Initiative (WHI), WomenUp, and Rebels EmpowHer have joined forces once again to deliver a two-day experience designed to cultivate togetherness, initiate meaningful conversation, inspire growth, and educate the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Last year’s inaugural conference set the bar high, bringing together hundreds of women from across the food service industry for programming that was equal parts inspiring and actionable. This year promises to be even bigger, with an expanded roster of speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities that speak directly to the challenges and opportunities facing women in hospitality management today.
Celebrity Chef Panel Returns with Culinary Powerhouses
One of the most anticipated highlights from last year’s event is making its triumphant return: the OpenTable-presented Celebrity Chef Panel. This dynamic, conversation-driven session will feature five of the most influential female chefs in the business:
- Dominique Crenn – The first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars
- Lorena Garcia – Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and television personality
- Angie Mar – Acclaimed butcher-chef and former owner of The Beatrice Inn
- Brooke Williamson – Top Chef winner and Los Angeles restaurant powerhouse
- Antonia Lofaso – Celebrity chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author
These culinary icons will share their experiences navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry, offering insights on everything from menu innovation to building sustainable food brands. For aspiring chefs, restaurant owners, and food and beverage managers alike, this panel alone is worth the price of admission.
Keynotes and Panels Featuring Las Vegas’s Most Influential Leaders
The conference programming extends far beyond the kitchen. Attendees will hear from some of Las Vegas’s most powerful women in business, including:
Sandra Douglass Morgan – President of the Las Vegas Raiders and former Chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. As the first Black female team president in NFL history, Morgan’s leadership journey offers invaluable lessons for women in any industry.
Jan Jones Blackhurst – Founder of WomenUp, chief executive in residence at UNLV’s International Gaming Institute, Caesars Entertainment board member, and notably the first female mayor of Las Vegas. Her mission to dismantle the “glass ceiling” with practical tools and meaningful mentorship is at the heart of this conference.
Elizabeth Blau – Co-Founder of the Women’s Hospitality Initiative and CEO of Blau & Associates. A hospitality industry veteran whose portfolio includes some of the most celebrated restaurants in Las Vegas.
Diana Bennett – Founder of Rebels EmpowHer and CEO of Paragon Gaming. Her commitment to developing the next generation of female leaders through the Bennett Family Foundation is making a tangible impact on women in hospitality.
Programming Designed for Every Career Stage
What sets the Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference apart is its intentional approach to programming. Whether you’re a culinary student just starting out, a mid-career food and beverage director looking to level up, or an executive seeking to expand your influence, there’s something here for you.
Mentoring Circles
WHI’s signature Mentoring Circles return, offering intimate small-group sessions where attendees can connect with established leaders on topics ranging from building long-term partnerships to marketing and PR best practices.
Breakout Sessions and Skill Lab Workshops
Hands-on workshops will cover critical topics including:
- Building a strong brand identity in the competitive food and beverage industry
- Driving profitability and operational excellence
- Leadership development strategies
- Pitching to investors and securing funding
- Navigating hospitality technology trends
- Restaurant marketing in the digital age
Fireside Chat: Shaping Brand Strategy in Hospitality
A special fireside chat will feature Sepideh Eivazi, founder and CEO of Dawn of the Earth, and Teri Weinberg, founder and CEO of Type A Group. These respected leaders known for shaping brand strategy, creative storytelling, and impactful partnerships across the culinary and hospitality industries will share their perspectives on building lasting brands.
Sarah Blaskovich, Senior Food Reporter at The Dallas Morning News, will serve as emcee for the full conference, guiding attendees through the comprehensive slate of activations.
Closing remarks will be delivered by Dr. Patti Fletcher, author of Disrupters, a solution-oriented book focused on helping women achieve career success by breaking traditional corporate rules.
Sip & Savor Grand Tasting: A Celebration of Women-Led Excellence
The conference culminates with the Sip & Savor Grand Tasting on April 20, hosted at the UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. This evening celebration features:
- Gourmet food from local women-led restaurants
- Specialty cocktails crafted by talented female mixologists
- Fine wine selections from women winemakers
- Art and live entertainment
All proceeds from the Sip & Savor Grand Tasting benefit WHI, Rebels EmpowHER, and WomenUp, continuing each organization’s mission to support women in the advancement of their careers. Tickets for this event can be purchased separately and are available to both men and women, or included in conference attendee package options.
This is more than a tasting event: it’s a celebration of the incredible talent that women bring to the food and beverage services sector every single day.
Why This Conference Matters for the Food and Beverage Industry
The hospitality industry has long grappled with gender disparity in leadership positions. While women make up a significant portion of the foodservice workforce, they remain underrepresented in executive roles, ownership positions, and as recipients of industry recognition.
Events like the Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference are actively changing that narrative. By providing mentorship, education, and networking opportunities specifically designed for women, these organizations are building a pipeline of talent that will shape the future of our industry.
For restaurant owners, food and beverage managers, and hospitality executives, supporting women in leadership isn’t just the right thing to do: it’s good business. Diverse leadership teams consistently outperform their homogeneous counterparts, bringing fresh perspectives on menu innovation, customer experience, and operational efficiency.
Tickets and Registration Information
Conference Dates: April 19-20, 2026
Location: Wynn Las Vegas (Conference) and UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality (Sip & Savor Grand Tasting)
Tickets: On sale now at https://www.whleadershipconf.com/
For the latest announcements on speakers, agenda updates, and exclusive offers, sign up for the conference newsletter and follow @womenshospitalityinitiative on Instagram.
Whether you’re looking to advance your career, connect with industry peers, or simply be inspired by women who are changing the game, this is an event you won’t want to miss. The women who attend this conference today are the ones who will be leading our industry tomorrow.
Get your tickets now and be part of the movement.
For more insights on hospitality trends and industry events, explore our coverage of hospitality industry predictions for 2026.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
