Nicole Cashman

SSA Expands Collaboration with Union Square Hospitality Group at Rockefeller Center. SSA StudioFS.com has announced the opening of its newest project with Union Square Hospitality Group: a Daily Provisions restaurant at New York’s Rockefeller Center. The latest addition continues the firm’s successful collaboration with the beloved neighborhood café concept, known for its warm hospitality and thoughtfully designed spaces. This Rockefeller Center location joins an expanding list of SSA-designed Daily Provisions locations, including recently completed projects on Madison Avenue, at Brookfield Place, on the Upper West Side, and in Jersey City. Each site reflects the brand’s commitment to accessible, community-centered dining while integrating architectural details tailored to its urban setting. The project underscores SSA’s ongoing role in shaping the dining experience across New York’s most iconic destinations, delivering design solutions that balance operational efficiency for the culinary teams with inviting aesthetics for guests. #restaurantdesign #foodservicedesign #restaurantconstruction #projectmanagement #architecture #collaboratewithus

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🚨 Big moves at Brinker International 🚨 Brinker CEO Kevin Hochman—the leader behind one of the greatest comebacks in casual dining with Chili's—is now taking Maggiano's Little Italy’s Little Italy turnaround into his own hands. After the departure of former president Dominique Bertolone, Hochman stepped in as interim president, joined by Rich Kissel, Chili’s VP of operations for Florida, now COO of Maggiano’s. The duo is rolling out a “Back to Maggiano’s” plan—applying the same playbook that brought Chili’s roaring back: lean into what made the brand iconic, simplify operations, and give guests exactly what they love most—delicious food, generous portions, and a warm, local-restaurant feel. Already, Maggiano’s has streamlined its menu, upgraded recipes, and added new hits like Riserva Veal Parmesan and Rigatoni alla Vodka. The team is also focusing on faster table turns without sacrificing the inviting atmosphere guests expect. Hochman’s take: “The more I’ve gotten into the business, the more I see very similar challenges to Chili’s… and I’m confident we can get this thing back on track.” 📉 Current challenge: Q4 same-store sales dipped 0.4% on softer traffic. 📈 Opportunity: Use Chili’s turnaround lessons to restore momentum—without losing focus on Chili’s, which just posted a 24% comp sales increase. If the Chili’s story is any indication… Maggiano’s could be the next big comeback to watch in casual dining. 🍝✨ READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/ent9wHip

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Saying that a global PR agency is better or smarter than a small agency is like watching "The Gilded Age" and siding with Mrs. Astor against Mrs. Russell—put the old crowd on a pedestal and keep out the new at all costs. Just because you're younger, newer, or smaller doesn't mean you aren't as good (if not better) than your peers at a global agency. Consultants and small shops bring a different approach to their work and client relationships. For some clients, a small team of experts is exactly what they need. For others, they need a big agency team for large-scale execution. But let's not create a false equivalence here. #PublicRelations #Communications #PRConsulting #CommunicationsConsulting

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#ThankfulThursday What is something a Speaker should do at Conferences and events so that their presence is known and felt? Something that conference organizers and event planners truly respect and leads to paid speaking opportunites? This minute video shares a lesson! Thank you Luminary and my Luminary sista, Zanade Mann MEd for bringing my newest presentation, "The 7 Deadly Sins of Speaking" to life at a packed space last night! #speakertales #keynotespeaker #comesitatourtable #proudLuminarymember

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I'd like to share some exciting news: UPRAISE has been acquired by rbb Communications, a 70-person, Miami-based integrated communications agency. rbb is an award-winning agency that champions breakout brands with a full suite of services in PR, branding/creative, digital marketing, crisis and influencer management, and more. rbb also has deep expertise in sectors such as energy, professional services, travel & leisure and education. This is a great move for both agencies. UPRAISE gains access to capabilities and resources to offer clients and staff that we've never had before. rbb gains our expertise in serving B2B tech companies as they tap into the growing Florida tech community. We also bring additional experience in financial services to complement rbb’s existing expertise. I am grateful to the many clients, partners, employees (current and past) and other friends of the agency that contributed to our success. We built an agency that focused first and foremost on providing very high-quality service to clients, while at the same time respecting the needs and supporting the career development of our people. UPRAISE will continue to operate as an autonomous business within the rbb family, retaining our brand, website and social channels. We are merging functions where it makes sense, such as accounting, human resources and employee training. The team will remain intact and I will continue to be UPRAISE's president. What this means for our current and future clients is that they will continue to receive the same high-touch, strategy-based service they have received in the past, but now we will also have the ability to provide a wider array of services through internal resources, ensuring we’re able to optimize coordination and maximize results. Over the last three years, I have met with more than 20 agencies and rbb has been the best fit by far in terms of culture, "people first" focus, quality of work, outstanding creativity and more. Check rbb out here: https://hubs.la/Q03xB6850 If you have any questions or would like to learn more, I'd be delighted to hear from you. #UPRAISE #rbbcommunications #PRacquisition

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This week on Defining Hospitality, I sit down with Chelsea Hershelman, VP of Design and Development at CoralTree Hospitality. Chelsea’s path is anything but linear. With a background in art history and years spent across procurement, operations, and development, she’s built a career rooted in curiosity, trust, and the courage to take leaps before everything makes sense on paper. We talk about why hospitality is one of the most flexible industries there is, how leading by influence changes the way teams show up, and why asking good questions often matters more than having the right title. Chelsea also shares honest reflections on balance, burnout, and what it means to stay in the arena while still knowing when to pause, reset, and recharge. If you’ve ever felt unsure about taking the next step, this conversation is a reminder not to disqualify yourself before you begin. 🔊 Find the full conversation on your favorite platform 🖥️ Or watch on YouTube ⬇️ Links in the comments #DefiningHospitality #HospitalityCareers #LeadershipJourney #DesignLeadership #WomenWhoLead #CareerGrowth

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Dining and marketing may seem like two separate functions, but when aligned, they can become powerful tools for elevating your community’s story. Learn about how two divisions of LeadingAge Bronze partner CCL Hospitality Group partnered with LeadingAge member Carnegie East House to strengthen resident experience and community perception through integrated hospitality and creative strategies. This case study highlights how strategic partnerships can help providers amplify their value and better connect with the residents they serve. Read more from CCL Hospitality Group: https://ldng.ag/41cHREr

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Black History Month invites reflection on the legacy of Black-owned agencies and their lasting influence on the communications profession. Over more than 35 years in this business, I have seen how Black-owned agencies helped advance strategic thinking rooted in cultural understanding, responsibility and trust. That work shaped how communications evolved and how organizations engage their audiences today. As a leader in this industry, I understand how important it is to recognize where these practices came from and whose perspectives continue to guide the work. The legacy of Black-owned agencies is present in many of the standards we rely on today. Recognizing this history helps ensure that progress in communications remains grounded in experience, integrity and purpose. #BlackHistoryMonth #ThoughtLeadership #BlackOwnedBusiness #WomenOwnedBusiness #Communications

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