Before joining Networld Media Group as Vice President of Events, Cherryh Cansler spent several years as VP of Editorial managing the Networld’s nine B2B publications. Throughout her 20-year career as a journalist, she’s written about a variety of topics, ranging from the restaurant industry and technology to health and fitness news. Her byline has appeared in a plethora of newspapers, magazines and websites, including Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine. She also serves as the managing editor for FastCasual.com.

David Moore is an engaging customer-oriented, value-centered operations professional with experience in strategic business development, initiative implementation and operations management. He has a unique mix of government and private industry experience. Prior to joining KPS Commercial Construction in July 2024 he served as an advisor. He joined KPS from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission where he spent 13 years as the Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity (EDGE) Program Manager. There he assisted certified small businesses achieve an average of $75 million dollars in state construction contracts annually. During his prior 12 years with the State of Ohio he oversaw successful revenue generating operations for the Ohio Lottery Commission, and Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds. His vast sales experience comprises 25 years in retail management including general management of several Brooks Brothers clothing store locations.

Scott Davis is a leader and innovator in the restaurant industry specializing in brand positioning and clean/healthy menu development. From his early days in Boston as an operator to his current role at CoreLife Eatery, Scott has been a creative force for better food and a better life. Scott currently serves as the President and Partner of CoreLife Eatery. CoreLife Eatery is a start up fast casual concept focused on providing everyday access to a great tasting, clean and healthy menu for people pursuing active lifestyles. CoreLife currently operates 46 Eateries, primarily in upstate NY and PA. Previously Scott served as the Chief Concept Officer for Panera Bread from the inception of the brand until December 2014. In his role of Chief Concept Office Davis oversaw menu development, category management, restaurant design and sustainability. Scott was also an integral part of Panera’s marketing and strategy teams guiding the brand’s evolution.

Chris Newcomb is a distinguished figure in the restaurant industry, best known as the founder and a current board member of Newk’s Eatery. Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery is a culinary-forward, high-volume, fast-casual restaurant concept boasting over 100 locations across 14 U.S. states. Chris's journey in the restaurant sector began in 1989 with the launch of his family’s first restaurant, Checquer’s, in Oxford, Mississippi. Within a year, it became a successful business, prompting a name change to McAlister’s Gourmet Deli to avoid confusion with an existing chain.

Marla Topliff is presently the Strategic Franchise Consultant at Kathleen Wood Partners, LLC., who worked with restaurants such as Suzy’s Swirl, Big Chicken and Cornbread Farm to Table. Previously she was President of Rosati’s Pizza for 22 years, where she led Rosati’s Pizza to become included in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500, Top 100 Pizza Companies by Pizza Today and in the Top 300 Franchise System by Franchise Times. She was also the corporate media spokesperson and managed vendor and store relationships as well as human resources. As Chairman of the National Restaurant Association’s Pizzeria Council, she was the 2012 Keynote Speaker at the International Pizza Expo. As a member of the International Franchise Association, she served on the membership and convention planning committees and was named one of the top 24 women in franchising by Franchise Update Magazine in 2014. Marla has also been featured in Entrepreneur, Suit Magazine, Chain Pulse Magazine and written many blogs for PizzaMarketplace.com.