2024 San Francisco Nightlife & Entertainment Summit (Free)

Now in its 14th year, the Summit is an opportunity to come together to address the current issues facing the industry, and discuss ways the industry and the City can continue working together toward long-term recovery.

The Summit will be held in-person and livestreamed on SFGovTV.

• Date: Monday, April 29, 2024
• Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm.  Followed by a Networking Happy Hour at Anina, 482 Hayes St., from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
  The Summit will kick-off with a Resource Fair of City departments at 1:00pm and then followed by presentations and panels from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.
• Where: 49 South Van Ness Ave, 1st Floor, Conference Center Rooms
• Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
  In-person capacity is limited; space is available on a first come, first served basis.
• RSVP: https://forms.office.com/g/CF2x0KQBDa
• Livestream: https://sfgovtv.org/2024EntertainmentCommissionSummit.

**AGENDA AND SPEAKERS**

(subject to change – updated as of 4-26-24)

1:00pm-2:00pm: Resource Fair in Lobby

Resource Tables:

•  Film SF

•  OEWD Workforce Development Division

•  Office of the Assessor-Recorder

•  SF Dept. of Public Health – Office of Overdose Prevention

•  SF Entertainment Commission

•  SF Environment – Zero Waste

•  SF Fire Dept. Operational Permits Division

•  SF Office of Cannabis

•  SF Office of Small Business

•  SF Planning Dept. – Prop H Program

•  SF Recreation & Parks Dept. – Permits and Reservations Division

•  Community Table: You’re invited to place your business’s fliers, business cards, and other promotional materials on this community table for Summit attendees. (Table space is available on a first come, first served basis.)

2:00pm-3:00pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks

•  Maggie Weiland, Executive Director, SF Entertainment Commission

•  Mayor London N. Breed, City and County of San Francisco

•  Supervisor Matt Dorsey, District 6, SF Board of Supervisors

•  Supervisor Joel Engardio, District 4, SF Board of Supervisors

•  Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director, SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development
Remarks will be followed by a presentation: 

“Innovating After Dark: Harnessing the Potential of Legislative Reforms for SF Nightlife”

Co-Presenters: Ben Van Houten, Business Development Manager, Nightlife & Entertainment Sector, OEWD; Ben Bleiman, President, SF Entertainment Commission and Managing Partner, Tonic Nightlife Group.

Legislative changes adopted in SF and at the state level over the last several years have created new opportunities for nightlife businesses through permitting reform, liquor licensing changes, and emerging tools like “entertainment zones.” With more state bills and new programs on the horizon, this conversation will unpack how these changes can mean new opportunities for the nightlife sector.

3:00pm – 3:15pm: Break and Resource Fair  

The Resource Fair closes at 3:15pm.

3:15pm – 4:00pm: PANEL: “The Night Shift: Strategies for Combating Organized Theft in SF”

While public safety overall has improved in SF, nightlife establishments are still facing ongoing safety and security issues such as organized theft of ATMs, alcohol, and other property that are perpetrated at night.  These crimes are impacting our industry, and we will be discussing these challenges with law enforcement during this panel.

•  Moderator: Lt. Leonard Poggio, San Francisco Police Department; Commissioner, Law Enforcement Representative, SF Entertainment Commission

•  District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, City and County of San Francisco

•  Assistant Chief David Lazar, San Francisco Police Department

•  Rodney Fong, President & CEO, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

•  Marisa Rodriguez, CEO, Union Square Alliance

4:05pm – 4:50pm: PANEL: “Nightlife to Newlife: Emerging Trends and Strategies to Drive Engagement and Revenue Growth”

From flex retail to night markets, from immersive experiences to pop-ups, nightlife and entertainment businesses are coming up with creative solutions to increase sales and attendance. How can venues and events expand their offerings to new audiences in innovative ways? What are some adaptable models for a wide range of budgets and capacities? Our panelists discuss exciting new trends and strategies in programming and engagement that are growing revenues and building audiences.

•  Moderator: Marke Bieschke, Nightlife Journalist, Arts Editor of 48 Hills, and Member of The Stud Collective

•  Naz Khorram, Founder, Arcana

•  Katy Birnbaum, CEO/Founder, Into the Streets

•  Danny Bell, SVP, Talent Buyer, Goldenvoice SF

•  Anthony Schlander, Founder, Anthony Presents; Commissioner, Neighborhood Representative, SF Entertainment Commission

4:50pm – 4:55pm: Closing Remarks 

•  Maggie Weiland, Executive Director, SF Entertainment Commission

5:00pm – 7:00pm:  Networking Happy Hour at Anina, 482 Hayes St. 

Cash Bar. Age 21+ only.