Investing in Community: What's Next for Main Street?

After analyzing new habits developed from the pandemic, this session will forecast what's next for Main Street and Central Business Districts throughout the country. It's not a matter of David vs. Goliath, but how one-off restaurants and large chains can learn from one another to grow and succeed in this next wave of development.

Lauren Chipman, CEO, Chipman Design Architecture

Lauren Chipman 150x200 A true multi-disciplinary designer and performing artist, Lauren Chipman brings a distinct sense of creative leadership to her position as Chief Executive Officer at Chipman Design Architecture. Prior to her work at Chipman, Lauren performed professionally as a string instrumentalist with a resume that includes recording for television, film and top Billboard artists. Today, Lauren is proud to be part of the third generation to carry on her family’s legacy.

Lauren’s unconventional background and innate sense of innovation allow her to bring a fresh perspective to the impact of hospitality, retail and restaurant spaces. Despite helming a well established firm that supports national clients like Chick-fil-A, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Ulta Beauty, Marriott, Peet’s Coffee and CVS, Lauren’s entrepreneurial vision often goes beyond traditional industry approaches. From pioneering integration of new technology in the conceptual design process to almost exclusively recruiting multi-hyphenate talent, Lauren directs the company with the future in mind.

A holistic leader, Lauren leverages her own experience as an industry outsider to cultivate a unique, forward-thinking environment composed of a team with diverse backgrounds. She pushes the firm to not only solve for present design challenges, but also develop foresight into cultural and behavioral changes. This high level of adaptable strategy allows the firm to keep clients ahead of the curve, and nimble in response industry shifts.

Lauren has spoken at numerous conferences, including Globalshop, Google Zeitgeist, design:retail Forum, MUFES, MUFSO and Bitac Luxury. A Professional Affiliate of the AIA, Lauren also holds memberships in such industry organizations as NOMA and RDI, and was recently recognized with vmsd’s “40 under 40 award.”

Photos of the Event

Testimonials

The FED Summit was just the right timeframe, just the right speakers and just the right team to make it all happen. I reunited with and made new friends and have taken away lots of valuable information that will help shape and impact my future success.

Zee Moussa, Culinarian & Owner, ZeeTheCook, LLC

The FED Summit is easily one of the best – if not THE best – conferences I’ve ever attended.

Adam Deutschmann, General Manager, Bargreen Ellingson

It was refreshing to attend a conference where both the networking opportunities and the content were equally important. The sessions tackled provocative issues that will impact the future of the food industry and I've had multiple meetings and events that came solely from contacts I made at the FED Summit.

Mike Kostyo, Trendologist & Associate Director, Content, Datassential

The 2022 FED Summit was a great insight into the current state of not just the equipment world, but the restaurant industry as a whole. I really enjoyed hearing from designers sharing their real life successes and failures, equipment experts sharing what is really working, and from restaurant owners/managers to what their teams enjoy working with.

Brooks Kirchheimer, Co-Founder & Co-Owner, Hearth and Hill, and Leave Room for Dessert Eateries

The FED Summit was very thought-provoking and insightful. I came away with great ideas for my customer base to contemplate.

Drew O’Quinn, President, Singer T&L

I loved the diversity of types of leaders in the room; we all grow by learning from other channel segments. Great speakers, useful content, thoughtful dialog with attendees - excellence in every aspect!

Brad Pierce, President, Restaurant Equipment World

I absolutely enjoyed attending my first FED Thought Leadership Summit! It was the right mix of networking opportunities and insightful, thought-provoking content from expert speakers.

Joseph Vajda, AIA, LEED bd+c, Principal, Aria Group

To say that this old guy learned a lot of new, timely industry information is an understatement. I came away from the event saying to myself that this is one conference that can’t be missed, and I am already hoping that I get another chance at attending next year.

William J. Caruso, FFCSI (PP), President, CS Enterprises, LLC.

The FED Summit is so well put together. Both the content of the program and the opportunity to interact and collaborate with industry peers is on point. This conference is a home run for me and I always leave with new ideas and some new industry connections to help grow my business.

FED Global Thought Leadership 2022