Have you ever let a year slip by before realizing you didn’t attend or take part in some of the activities you had on your must-do list? Unfortunately, as a human, that answer is probably yes. Our lives get busy, and before you know it, another year has passed.
In our industry, staying motivated and excited about the possibilities is critical. It relieves potential burnout and reminds us of the incredible people that make up our circle. It gets us excited and motivated, planning for our continued upward climb.
Fortunately, our industry is made up of go-getters and do-betters, which means that there’s no shortage of restaurant events, conferences, and trade shows to attend.
Let’s explore the possibilities and which ones may be best for you and your business. So get your end-of-the-year and 2023 calendars out and get ready to be inspired.
FSTEC
If you’re a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment type of person, this year’s FSTEC conference may be for you. Or, you can always pencil it in for 2023. This conference is for those looking to enhance restaurant operations using the latest technological advancements.
Topics: The Food Service Technology Conference explores everything techy, including the latest innovations in the restaurant industry.
Date: September 19-21, 2022
Contact: FSTEC
Location: Grapevine, TX
Bar & Restaurant Expo
For those who enjoy the excitement and anticipation unique to Las Vegas, this year’s Bar & Restaurant expo promises to be jam-packed with the latest trends in the industry.
Topics: This expo is for those looking for a sensory experience regarding the restaurant industry’s direction. Taste the latest food trends while learning about the changing landscape of the guest experience and how to get onboard for a successful journey. It also includes hands-on workshops, hosted dinners, and a masterclass series for GMs, chefs, and bartenders.
Date: March 27-29, 2023
Contact: Bar & Restaurant Expo
Location: Las Vegas, NV
International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
One of the most popular conferences of the year is the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York. This conference includes an industry-leading education program that focuses on the best practices in the current market.
Topics: This show provides an excellent opportunity to network with peers and industry leaders while learning about the latest trends in menu development, design and décor, and business practices. You’ll also get to see the latest products and services from hundreds of exhibitors.
Date: March 5-7, 2023
Contact: International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
Location: New York City, NY
The Northwest Food Show
For those in the restaurant industry in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, or Northern California, the Northwest Food Show keeps you in the loop of the latest happenings in the Pacific Northwest.
Topics: A few of the past covered topics and activities include best practices for improving margins, networking with data analysis and marketing professionals in the area, and sampling local farm-to-table produce, wine, and beer.
Date: April 16-17, 2023
Contact: The Northwest Food Show
Location: Portland, OR
National Restaurant Association Show
This is probably one of the best-known restaurant industry conferences in the nation. The National Restaurant Association Show offers expert-led education sessions, direct interaction with the latest equipment and technology, business connections with new suppliers, and peer-to-peer networking.
Topics: According to the National Restaurant Association, this show is the largest gathering of food service professionals in the Western Hemisphere. It provides insights into industry projections, innovations, and trending global ingredients. Learn about upscaling your beverage program, game-changing equipment, and more. Workshops include menu optimization, branding, digital media, and funding growth.
Date: May 20-23, 2023
Contact: National Restaurant Association Show
Location: Chicago, IL
Restaurant Leadership Conference
This is the conference for executives from the top chains and emerging brands to expand their network and find partners.
Topics: The Restaurant Leadership Conference is, as the name implies, a place for executives to sharpen their leadership skills and find solutions to the latest industry challenges.
Date: April 16-19, 2023
Contact: Restaurant Leadership Conference
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Global Restaurant Leadership Conference
This conference draws senior executives in the restaurant industry from the top global chains.
Topics: More than 100 thought leaders from around the world provide insight into leadership, financial, and operational tactics in the restaurant industry. For some fun, participants have the option of experiencing Dubai from a helicopter, a 4×4 SUV, or by boat.
Date: November 15-17, 2022
Contact: Global Restaurant Leadership Conference
Location: Dubai, UAE
Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference
Otherwise known as MURTEC, this conference is for those with multiple locations looking to use technology to help expand their enterprise and increase operational efficiencies.
Topics: Some of the topics from their 2022 conference included marketing via social media, data privacy, mastering the art of business intelligence, robotics, and leveraging AI to enhance the guest experience.
Date: March 6-8, 2023
Contact: MURTEC
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Restaurant Finance & Development Conference
This conference is all about successful strategies for increasing the bottom line, including financial considerations, advancement, and living on purpose.
Topics: Some of the covered topics include accounting, finances, and growth in the current market and economy. A few of the keynote speakers include Wolfgang Puck, Tim Tebow, Austan Goolsbee, Peter Cancro, and John Coleman.
Date: November 14-16, 2022
Contact: Restaurant Finance and Development Conference
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo
This conference focuses on industry trends and opportunities and gives attendees the chance to meet hundreds of vendors and purveyors.
Topics: Four unique educational summits provide best practices for every type of restaurant, including independent, multi-unit, food service, and technology. Workshops include profitable menu design, managing labor issues, catering, budgeting, and whiskey tasting.
Date: August 6-8, 2023
Contact: Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
Location: Anaheim, CA
