The UNLV Foundation Annual Dinner - Celebrating the sprit of philanthropy
Jon Taffer

Jon Taffer

Jon Taffer is a hospitality industry thought leader, philanthropist, larger-than-life businessman, and TV star. He takes a no-holds-barred approach to helping hotels, restaurants, bars, and businesses reach their full potential. For nearly four decades, Jon has been at the forefront of the business management industry, offering his expertise to hundreds of thousands of properties and Fortune 500 companies. By no surprise, studies show that Jon is the most influential, trustworthy, and intelligent food & beverage personality on television.

As executive producer and host of Bar Rescue, Jon has rescued over 220 bars and restaurants across America, including 23 right here in the Las Vegas valley. Bar Rescue spotlights Jon as he saves failing bars from looming closure, leveraging his four decades of industry experience and trademarked “Reaction Management” strategy.

When he’s not dedicating his time to bringing businesses back from the brink, Jon volunteers his time with the Keep Memory Alive Board of Directors, supporting the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health mission. He also regularly offers up his seasoned hospitality skills to the UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, where he helps faculty develop a curriculum that aligns with industry expectations and trends.

As an author, Jon wrote Don’t Bullsh*t Yourself, a no-nonsense guide that helps people understand and overcome the excuses holding them back from success. It became a New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal best-seller in its first week of release, joining his first book, Raise the Bar, on the best-sellers list. Jon’s new book, The Power of Conflict, provides readers with a toolkit to speak their minds to get the desired results.

His magnetic personality, no-nonsense style, and diverse experience as an entrepreneur are best summed up by his motto:

“No Excuses, Only Solutions”