Elizabeth Blau
- Founder & CEO, Blau & Associates
- Investor on CNBC’s Restaurant Startup
- James Beard Award Nominee
Travels From
Nevada
Elizabeth Blau Speaker Biography
Elizabeth Blau is a highly respected leader in the modern hospitality industry, known for her innovative work as the founder and CEO of Blau + Associates, a global restaurant planning and development firm. Elizabeth is widely credited with the transformation of Las Vegas into the premier culinary destination it is today. With a Master's in Hotel Management from Cornell University, she has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award and a James Beard Award Best Restaurateur nomination. Elizabeth is also a sought-after advisor for global organizations and serves on multiple boards, including Forbes Travel Guide, Ecole Hoteliere in Lausanne, and the Cornell School of Hotel Administration.
She has numerous network television appearances to her credit including on CNBC's Restaurant Startup and as a judge on Food Network's Iron Chef America and has also co-authored a cookbook 'Honey Salt: A Culinary Scrapbook." Committed to philanthropy, Elizabeth cofounded The Women's Hospitality Initiative and Delivering with Dignity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Conversation with Elizabeth Blau
Elizabeth Blau draws on her extensive career as a hospitality icon and entrepreneur to discuss topics including restaurant development and innovation, leadership, social responsibility, and promoting women in the hospitality industry.
Key themes and topics in her conversations include:
Hospitality and Restaurant Innovation: Blau is widely credited with transforming Las Vegas from a gaming city with cheap buffets into a premier culinary destination. She shares insights on restaurant concept development, marketing, branding, technology, the future of food and beverage (F&B) in entertainment experiences, and creating unique, experiential dining concepts.
Women in Leadership and Mentorship: A prominent focus is her work with the Women's Hospitality Initiative (WHI), a non-profit she co-founded to promote gender equity and help women achieve leadership positions in the industry. She discusses the challenges women face in professional kitchens and the importance of mentorship, education, and advocacy to level the playing field.
Leadership and Entrepreneurship: Drawing on her experience as Founder and CEO of Blau + Associates, a global consulting firm, she speaks about business development, managing complex organizations, and the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges like the pandemic.
Community and Philanthropy: Blau discusses the importance of community involvement, highlighting initiatives like "Delivering with Dignity," a program she co-created to provide meals to food-insecure individuals in Southern Nevada while keeping restaurant staff employed during the pandemic.
Future Trends in the Industry: She often touches on emerging trends such as the growth of boutique hotels, zero-waste restaurants, global development in the Middle East, and the integration of technology in the dining experience.
Overall, Blau's messages are characterized by her real-world experience, practical advice for restaurant owners and aspiring leaders, and passion for creating a more innovative and inclusive hospitality industry.
