The first event of the new year will be held on Jan. 19, 2010 at the Republic Chophouse, 218 N Adams St., Green Bay, Wis. The discussion will focus on the use of social media in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Future locations will be announced a month in advance of the noted event dates.

Confirmed panelists for the event are:

Troy Streckenbach - owner of Jimmy Seas and Stir-ups bars

Abbey Steffen - chef from Republic Chophouse

Maria Skubal - GM of Hotel Sierra (formerly Embassy Suites)

“After a year of developing interest in the Social Media Breakfast in Northeast Wisconsin, we’re excited to be growing into a formal organization like many others across the country,” said Dana VanDen Heuvel, owner of Marketing Savant and co-founder of the New North Social Media Breakfast. “Due to the large response we received from local professionals in 2009, we’re able to expand the program and continue to offer the opportunity for professionals to discuss how social media can impact local businesses.”

The New North Social Media Breakfast is provided to business professionals, both experienced and newcomers to social media, at no cost. Also, due to high interest, the New North Social Media Breakfast is implementing a new RSVP system for 2010 on EventBrite. To sign up for a breakfast, interested parties simply search “New North Social Media Breakfast” on EventBrite and order a free ticket.

Background: The New North Social Media Breakfast was founded in March 2009 by Dana VanDenHeuvel of Marketing Savant in partnership with Weidert Group, Inc. and Element. The group of local professionals meet monthly, rotating between Green Bay and Appleton locations, to discuss how social media is impacting their businesses. To cater to the diverse needs of this growing group of professionals, the New North Social Media Breakfast has burst out of the coffee shop setting and into the community. The breakfast will now be held at various local businesses each month with a panel that will discuss how social media is impacting their industry.

The event is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend. More information can be found at The New North Social Media Breakfast Ning group.