From Breadcrumbs to Breakthroughs: Finding My Way to CHART

There are some things that happen, seemingly as a sign, perhaps fate. You don’t know how you got there, you just did. Have you ever had an experience that was so life changing it just struck you to your core? There is always a trail of breadcrumbs that leads you on your path—it just takes a keen eye to look for them, and a willingness to follow them down the path.

Nearly a decade ago, I was hiring a leadership role to help me to build my QSR into a full-service restaurant in an entirely different state. We interviewed multiple times, and upon final decision—a top candidate wasn’t the one the company moved forward with. Yet, she remains in my professional circle. 

We would have annual meet ups, whether she was flying into my city, or I was flying into hers, we would plan to connect. Many times, she was coming to my town because of CHART. I would inquire what is “CHART?” It seemed like she was always collaborating with this organization, and I had little to no understanding of what they are. She would gush that it is the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers! This still didn’t strike a chord for me. Most of the time, we were catching up professionally and explaining our newest challenges and opportunities and trading stories of best practices. This is hospitality, and when you are in the weeds, you just need another perspective.

Fast forward to this year’s annual catch-up where history repeated itself. She was a speaker at the National Restaurant Association, and I was leading an aggressive growth strategy for my company to triple our store count in just three short years. I found myself at a crossroads—exhausted. I was looking to build out a formal Learning & Development function, and in desperate need of a new perspective. Once again, my colleague mentioned CHART and urged me to attend their upcoming conference.

I attended the August 2025 conference in Redondo Beach, California. I went in with an open mindset. Leading up to the conference I received many emails; what attire to pack, what type of breakouts there would be, and of course, what the meal schedule would be. So far, this seemed like an ordinary conference—but I was so, so wrong.

What unfolded in those days at the conference was anything but ordinary, it was simply extraordinary. This is a member-led organization—where the members volunteer to train other industry trainers! Need a best practice on how to implement brief training “Tik Tok” videos? CHART members can help. Need to understand how AI will influence business decisions in the workplace? CHART members have insight on that. Need help in making a visual impact on how networking with a budget of $2.59 can be done? CHART members can share a way! Do you need help in breaking down barriers between corporate-level team members and hourly team members—over a bowl of broken pottery to bring the team together by gluing it and highlighting the cracks? CHART members can also teach you this!

What I came to the conference with was a world of questions, and what I left with is—how do we spread the word on this organization? How do you save hospitality professionals from being in the weeds; to know there is a network of CHART members just waiting to offer best practices!?

What makes it extraordinary is the spirit of the community. There are no egos, no gatekeeping—just genuine hospitality professionals who care. Over 650 members strong, this is a network of people ready to uplift, guide, and grow with you.  

If you’re feeling in the weeds, perhaps this is your sign. CHART is more than a conference. It's a community. A compass. A place where your professional cracks can be filled with gold—stronger, more resilient, and more connected than ever before.

Perhaps this is your breadcrumb. Follow it. Your journey with CHART is waiting.