President
Entertainment Food & Beverage Association (EF&B)
EF&B is proud to once again play a key role in the evolving CinemaCon experience. With several changes to this year’s schedule, our commitment to strengthening the connection between the theatrical experience and food and beverage has never been more energized.
A major highlight is the EF&B Charity Golf Event, now moving to Sunday. Celebrating its 40th year, the outing blends networking and philanthropy in support of Variety – The Children’s Charity, the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation, and EF&B educational initiatives. Held at the Wolf Course at Paiute Golf Resort, it remains a cornerstone of CinemaCon week.
EF&B will also lead Monday morning’s newly introduced Food & Beverage educational track, featuring three sessions focused on the trends, leadership strategies, and partnerships shaping the industry.
The program opens with “Building the Next Generation of Food & Beverage Leaders,” where EF&B Director of Education Dan Herrle will explore strategies for developing management talent and elevating frontline performance.
This is followed by “Now Showing: The Latest in Food & Beverage Innovation,” featuring industry leaders David Haywood (Cinemark), Rob Lehman (Santikos Entertainment), and Rob Novak (Marcus Theatres). The panel will spotlight emerging trends and preview new products, equipment, and partnerships debuting on the trade show floor.
The session concludes with “Reimagining the Lobby & Concession Experience,” bringing together Dan Fachner (J&J Snack Foods), Michael Kelly (Mars Snacking), and Josh Nations (The Coca-Cola Company) to discuss the drivers of success in today’s entertainment food and beverage landscape.
From Tuesday through Wednesday, EF&B members will be active across the CinemaCon trade show floor, showcasing a wide range of products, equipment, and services. Attendees are encouraged to explore, sample, and connect. EF&B will also host visitors at Booth 230J to share more about membership opportunities.
Beyond CinemaCon, EF&B’s work continues year-round. The 2026 EF&B Concession & Hospitality Expo will take place September 22–24 at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord Golf Resort & Spa, offering further opportunities for education, networking, and industry advancement.
Education remains central to EF&B’s mission. This year marks the launch of a new online Certified Concession Manager (CCM) platform, developed in partnership with CineTRAIN. Designed for today’s professionals, the program enables participants to earn certification through a flexible, accessible format, with additional courses to follow.
While live events remain key touchpoints, EF&B continues to serve as a year-round resource for education, advocacy, certification, and best practices. We invite industry professionals to stay connected and explore membership opportunities.
Finally, we congratulate the CinemaCon team on another outstanding event. EF&B’s partnership with Cinema United is more than collaboration—it’s a driving force behind the evolution of the theatrical experience. Together, we are shaping what’s next, ensuring that food and beverage innovation remains central to how audiences experience the movies for years to come.