We are thrilled to welcome Evan Traub, Senior Account Manager at IMI Agency, as our distinguished speaker at the 2024 International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show (IBWSS) in San Francisco on July 23–24, 2024. Evan brings with him years of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry, making him an invaluable addition to our lineup of speakers.

Born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio, as a young child Evan loved entertaining, hospitality, and cooking. He brought these passions to life through a candy store in his basement, where he used to sell treats to his neighbors and sisters’ friends. The candy store later evolved into a cafe with a menu assembled from what was in the house.

Evan’s early jobs included prep work at Cleveland’s famed Ristorante Giovanni’s, working as a server assistant at Hyde Park Steakhouse, and as a bread maker at Great Harvest Bread Company.

In his teens, Evan started a DJ entertainment company, hiring his friends as the first employees. The company specializes in school dances, bar/bat mitzvahs, and other teen events. The company grew, hired several employees over ten years while Evan went to college in Chicago and the DJ company added offices there too.

Evan studied public relations and marketing at DePaul University. While in school, Evan worked for Chartwells, a division of Compass Group, the Park Hyatt, and Chicago’s preeminent nightlife and event group, Rockit Ranch Productions.

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After college, Evan became the maitre’d for Nick’s Fishmarket, a 30-year-old Chicago institution where he developed a passion for fine dining and elevated service. Evan moved on to the group’s sister restaurant in the western suburbs, where he managed large teams for the popular destination.

In 2006, Evan was the opening GM for The Southern, a chef-driven bar concept supporting local farmers and a great seasonal cocktail program. Evan and the team started an award-winning food truck featuring mac & cheese and then opened a quick-service mac & cheese shop in the loop. Evan began overseeing the Southern, a food truck, quick service restaurant, as well as the Hunt Club, a longtime Gold Coast late-night mainstay, in 2010. Evan started his career with Live Nation, first working two different roles at House of Blues in Houston and then later moving to Los Angeles and serving as the National Director of Food and Beverage for the company, working on training initiatives, food and beverage programs, special events, openings, and enhancing guest experiences.

After four years with Live Nation, Evan and his wife moved back to Chicago in anticipation of their first son’s birth. Evan started with IMI Agency as an account manager after previously being their client. Evan has celebrated 5 years at IMI with a team of three and helps drive better beverage business for clients like Hyatt Hotels, Levy, Eataly, PPX Hospitality Brands, United Airlines Clubs, Mina Group, and others.

We look forward to Evan’s conference session at our trade show, we are certain it will be of great value for our visitors.