Benjamin Smock - President & Owner
Benjamin Smock is president and owner of Toque & Bottle Advisory, a convention and hospitality consultation company headquartered in Chicago.
Smock brings over 12 years of experience to the industry, having launched his career with the nationally renowned Levy Restaurants. He worked his way through the ranks at a variety of Levy’s sports and entertainment properties including Ravinia Music Festival, Conseco Fieldhouse, and Arlington International Race Course, where he managed fine dining restaurants, a courtside sports bar, and a variety of catering events for 20 – 2000 guests.
In 1999, Smock earned the coveted “Levy Legends” Manager of the Year title for his performance at two properties (Ravinia & Conseco Fieldhouse during the same season) and his role in Levy’s college recruiting efforts. He returned to Chicago in 2001 to serve as Director of Banquets and then Director of Restaurants at North America’s premier convention facility, McCormick Place.
In January 2006, Smock founded Toque & Bottle Advisory, where his client roster includes Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), Chicago Auto Show, National Restaurant Association, American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Urological Association (AUA), PACK Expo, the Motivation Show, and HIMSS. Smock has successfully developed methods for his clients to improve the hospitality experience for exhibitors and attendees, as well as leverage their attendees for outside vendor opportunities.
Smock’s professional affiliations include active membership of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau; active membership of the National Restaurant Association; and serving as a Burnham Bash committee member since 2008.
Smock contributes to great charitable causes as a committee member for Share our Strength “Taste of the Nation” and is a longtime supporter of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
Smock is a graduate of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State, where he is an active member of the Alumni Association.
for show management or media information, contact Ben Smock
ben@toqueandbottle.com
Angela Matis - Sales Associate
Angela Matis serves as Toque & Bottle Advisory’s sales associate. She brings 12 years of experience in event management, catering & banquet service, internal & external sales and results-driven client relationships to the TBA team.
Matis launched her hospitality career at The Clubhouse in Oakbrook, IL where she held the position of sales manager/corporate trainer, generating sales in excess of $2 million dollars.
She most recently served as a premier sales representative for Cintas Corporation and has been recognized for her exceptional service with the Achievers Club Award for quarterly sales exceeding $33,000.
Matis spent seven years as a sales manager for Town and Country Homes, where she excelled in recruiting new business leads, managed meaningful relationships between customers and the Community Construction Team, and maintained an average sales volume of 50 homes per year, putting her consistently in the top 30 percent of sales producers.
She received the Gold Award in 2006 and 2007 from the Sales & Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago for excellence in annual fiscal sales, received four Pinnacle Awards, including Excellence in Sales 2006; Sales Team of the Year 2005 and 2004, and Rookie of the Year 2003.
Angela is a graduate of Illinois State University and enjoys running, theatre, and dining out. She is passionate about supporting Lupus research programs.
for bistro tickets advertising inquiry, contact Angela Matis
angela@toqueandbottle.com
Anna Clark - Marketing
Anna Clark serves as Toque & Bottle Advisory’s marketing consultant. She brings to the team experience in advertising, marketing and event planning. Anna moved to Chicago after graduating from St. John Fisher College in Rochester NY. She began working at Southern Wine & Spirits shortly thereafter where she gained experience in promotional planning and marketing. Anna was promoted from off premise manager to on premise manager where she supervised marketing budgets and programming for over 100 accounts in downtown Chicago.
After working with Southern Wine & Spirits, Anna was hired by Goose Island Beer Company as Marketing Manager of the geographic marketing team. She led the marketing team for this fast growing Chicago craft brewery and supported 15% annual growth. Over the two and a half years Anna worked as Marketing Manager, She partnered with numerous organizations, non profits, restaurants, and venues in the Chicagoland area. She was also able to help move forward Goose Island’s green initiatives working with organizations such as City Farm, Green City Market, and Slow foods among others.
Anna enjoys volunteering to support Chicago’s sustainable organizations and non profits and is involved with several event committees to help plan fundraising events.
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