Trade Program
American Express & Resy are proud to present the 36th annual Trade Program at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen from Thursday, June 18th through Saturday, June 20th, 2026.
Developed by and for the professionals who shape the world of hospitality, the Trade Program brings together top industry professionals including restaurants, hoteliers, sommeliers, wine and spirits importers, distributors, and more for a three-day program featuring intimate networking events and dynamic, expert-led discussions.
The Trade Program is an exclusive feature of the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and it provides attendees a forum to network, share strategies, discuss best practices, and exchange ideas for achieving growth and spurring innovation in the hospitality industry.
American Express is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology, backing customers with differentiated products, services and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. American Express has supported efforts to enhance the growth of the restaurant industry for more than 40 years by creating and implementing programs designed to benefit restaurateurs. American Express also supports the restaurant community through sponsorships and commitments to a wide range of industry organizations. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
F&W Pro is a one-of-a-kind B2B and B2C industry platform with a reach of more than 5 million readers annually. It includes a magazine and digital column, newsletter with 55,000-plus subscribers, and podcast series that shares insights and stories from the best minds in the hospitality industry.
2025 SEMINAR SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, JUNE 19
Amex Trade Kick-off Party: 8:00PM – 10:00PM | The Patio at Ajax Tavern
Amex Trade Presents an Evening of Reggaeton, Vibes and Mariscos with chefs Ana Castro, Valerie Chang and Isabel Coss
Join us for a vibrant evening at the Amex Trade Kick-off Party on the Ajax Tavern Patio. Chefs Ana Castro, Valerie Chang and Isabel Coss can’t wait to welcome you for fresh seafood, live music, hand-crafted cocktails, and stellar wines curated by an all-star team of sommeliers. Please RSVP by 6/16 to amextradekickoff@baltzco.com
FRIDAY, JUNE 20
T100: 10:00AM – 11:00PM | St. Regis Courtyard
The Art of the Pivot: How to Know When It’s Time to Make a Change
Panelists: Katie Button, Ana Castro, Zach Pollack & Eli Sussman. Moderated by Chris Shepherd.
While operators have become remarkably adept at handling a growing variety of challenges, sometimes there can be value in knowing when it’s time to pivot. Join an amazing lineup of restaurant owners as they remove the stigma of moving on and share when it made sense for them, and how they were able to reinvent their role in the restaurant industry after closing one restaurant and opening a new one. Hear directly from these industry leaders about their real-world lessons, the circumstances behind their high-profile moves, and the transformative opportunities that existed on the other side.
PT1: 11:00AM – 11:30AM | Wagner Park
Amex Private Trade Tasting
T200: 3:00PM – 4:00PM | St. Regis Courtyard
Lessons from the Line – What’s the Secret to Success?
Panelists: Mashama Bailey, Sarah Grueneberg, Valerie Chang & Kwame Onwuachi. Moderated by Andrew Zimmern.
Run (don’t walk!) to this candid, no holds barred discussion led by beloved Emmy-winning, four-time James Beard Award winning TV personality and world-renowned chef and entrepreneur, Andrew Zimmern. Join Zimmern and a collection of today’s most innovative chefs and restaurateurs as they unlock the secrets to their success. Listen in as Andrew leads a discussion with our panel on what led to their early hits and lasting victories.
SATURDAY, JUNE 21
T300: 10:00AM – 11:00AM | St.Regis Courtyard
Taking Care of Business by Taking Care of Your Team
Panelist: Ayesha Nurdjaja, Chris Shepherd, Josh Harris & Liz Murray. Moderated by Andrew Zimmern.
Recruiting, training, and retaining a top team looks very different than it did just a few short years ago. With increasing pressures impacting employee mental and physical wellbeing, it’s critical for restaurateurs to invest in themselves and their teams to minimize staff burnout and turnover. Hear from some of the industry’s leaders on how they created sustainable environments for employees to help them thrive personally and professionally.
PT2: 11:00AM – 11:30AM | Wagner Park
Amex Private Trade Tasting 2
SUNDAY, JUNE 22
PT3: 12:00AM – 12:30AM | Wagner Park
Amex Private Trade Tasting 3
