Last spring, the Women’s Hospitality Initiative—which had been founded in 2019 by community leaders Elizabeth Blau, Mary Choi Kelly, Jolene Mannina, and Kristin Whittemore, to address the alarming fact that in the US, while women comprise over half of culinary school graduates, they account for fewer than a quarter of the working chefs and head cooks—held its first annual two-day leadership conference, presented by and at Wynn Las Vegas, followed by a grand tasting at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality.  The intention: To cultivate togetherness, initiate conversation, inspire growth, and educate. *

Now, the Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference is back for its second year, led by the WHI, WomenUp, and Rebels EmpowHER.  Once again presented by and at Wynn Las Vegas, this two-day forum designed to support women at every stage of their careers (whether students, early-career professionals, executives, or industry leaders) will take place on Sunday, April 19, and Monday, April 20; culminating with the celebratory and immersive Sip & Savor Grand Tasting.

Programmed with keynote speakers, panels, breakout sessions, skill labs, and the popular WHI Mentoring Circles, attendees are invited to tailor their conference experience based on their experience (whether just starting out or leading teams and organizations).

This year’s keynote speakers will include such dynamic leaders as Sandra Douglass Morgan (President, Las Vegas Raiders), Diana Bennett (CEO/Co-founder, Paragon Gaming; Founder, Rebels EmpowHER), Jan Jones Blackhurst (Former Mayor, City of Las Vegas; Founder, WomenUp), and Elizabeth Blau (Founder/CEO, Blau & Associates; Co-founder, Women’s Hospitality Initiative).

Meanwhile, the OpenTable-presented Celebrity Chef Panel—featuring globally-renowned chefs Gabriela Cámara (Owner/Chef, Contramar; Mexico City, MX and Las Vegas, NV), Katina Connaughton (Co-Founder/Farmer/Co-Owner, SingleThread Farm-Restaurant-Inn; Healdsburg, CA), Dominique Crenn (Chef/Owner, Atelier Crenn; San Francisco, CA), Lorena Garcia (Partner/Chef/Co-Owner, CHICA; Las Vegas, NV), Angie Mar (Chef/Owner, Restaurant Le B; New York, NY), and Missy Robbins (Chef/Owner, Lilia and Misi; Brooklyn, NY)—is certain to be packed to the rafters.

As a final salvo, the whole kit-and-caboodle concludes on the evening of April 20, with the Sip & Savor Grand Tasting, a celebration of Las Vegas’ most talented women chefs and mixologists.  Returning once again to UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, with individual tickets available to the public, the Sip & Savor Grand Tasting—a food and wine-focused fundraising event benefiting the WHI, WomenUp, and Rebels EmpowHER—will feature an array of gourmet food from local women-led restaurants, specialty cocktails, and fine wine.

Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference
Wynn Las Vegas
Sunday, April 19 and Monday, April 20
Click HERE for tickets and info

Sip & Savor Grand Tasting
UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality
Monday, April 20 | VIP: 6pm, GA: 7pm
Click HERE for tickets and info

Get into it!
#WHI

[Editor’s Note: * According to the Culinary Institute of America and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up over 50% of culinary school graduates in the U.S., yet only 21.6% of chefs and head cooks are women (as of 2024)]