11 Restaurant Conferences To Explore Industry Trends In 2024
Restaurant conferences are a great place to network. But they are also a melting pot of insights and industry trends. For any hoteliers and chefs looking to stay ahead of the curve, or pick up a new tactic they can use to enhance their restaurant's repertoire, these are the best restaurant conferences to attend in 2024.
11 Best Restaurant Conferences Shortlist
Here's my shortlist of the best restaurant conferences I think are worth attending in 2024:
- Restaurants Canada Show - Toronto, Ontario, Canada (April 2024)
- Restaurant Leadership Conference - Phoenix, AZ (April 2024)
- The Restaurant Show - Birmingham, UK (April-May 2024)
- National Restaurant Association Show - Chicago, IL (May 2024)
- Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit - Chicago, IL (June 2024)
- Texas Restaurant Show - San Antonio, TX (July 2024)
- California Restaurant Show - Los Angeles, CA (August 2024)
- FSTEC (Food Service Technology) - Grapevine, TX (September 2024)
- Fast Casual Executive Summit - Denver, CO (October 2024)
- Restaurant Finance & Development Conference - Las Vegas, NV (November 2024)
- QSR Next - Online (November 2024)
Find more details about each conference below.
12 Best Restaurant Conferences
1. Restaurants Canada Show - Toronto, Ontario, Canada (April 2024)
- Dates: April 8-10, 2024
- Location: Enercare Centre
- Pricing:
- Members: Free
- Non-members: Starts at $99 (one-day pass) and $149 (three-day pass)
- Website: Restaurants Canada Show
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The Restaurants Canada Show is the largest food service and hospitality trade show, featuring exhibitors showcasing food and beverage products, equipment, technology solutions, and services.
The speakers list includes Amanda Hamer, CEO of Ediblebliss11, André Hueston Mack, Owner & Winemaker of Maison Noir Wines, and Bill Marler, Founder of Marler Clark.
Why You Should Attend:
In the Restaurants Canada Show, attendees can participate in educational seminars, culinary demonstrations, and networking events to gain insights and connections to drive their businesses forward.
2. Restaurant Leadership Conference - Phoenix, AZ (April 2024)
- Dates: April 14-17, 2024
- Location: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
- Pricing: Free (for those who have received an invitation)
- Website: Restaurant Leadership Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Overview:
The Restaurant Leadership Conference is a premier gathering of restaurant executives and industry leaders, offering a unique blend of networking opportunities, keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on leadership development, business strategies, and industry trends.
Why You Should Attend:
The Restaurant Leadership Conference is an event for restaurant executives and leaders seeking to stay ahead of the curve and drive success in the competitive market. It provides unparalleled networking opportunities to connect with industry peers, share best practices, and forge valuable relationships that can drive business success.
3. The Restaurant Show - Birmingham, UK (April-May 2024)
- Dates: April 29-May 1, 2024
- Location: NEC Birmingham
- Pricing: Free
- Website: The Restaurant Show
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The Restaurant Show is the UK's leading event for restaurant, hospitality, and catering professionals. It features exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, and innovations across all sectors of the industry.
Why You Should Attend:
The Restaurant Show provides a comprehensive platform for restaurant, hospitality, and catering professionals to discover new ideas, products, and trends that can help drive their businesses forward. It offers educational seminars and panel discussions on topics ranging from menu development and kitchen design to customer experience and sustainability.
4. National Restaurant Association Show - Chicago, IL (May 2024)
- Dates: May 18-21, 2024
- Location: McCormick Place
- Pricing: Starts at $90
- Website: National Restaurant Association Show
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Overview:
The National Restaurant Association Show is the premier event for the restaurant, food service, and hospitality industry in the United States.
Why You Should Attend:
The National Restaurant Association Show is a must-attend event for anyone in the restaurant, food service, or hospitality industry to explore the latest trends, products, and technologies. It features educational sessions, culinary demonstrations, and networking events covering topics such as menu development, technology solutions, workforce development, and sustainability.
5. Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit - Chicago, IL (June 2024)
- Dates: June 11-12, 2024
- Location: The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit
- Social Media: LinkedIn
Overview:
The Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit in Chicago, IL, is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by quick-service restaurant (QSR) operators.
Why You Should Attend:
In the Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit, attendees can participate in keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops to gain insights and strategies for success in the competitive QSR market with topics about menu innovation, operational efficiency, customer experience, and technology integration.
6. Texas Restaurant Show - San Antonio, TX (July 2024)
- Dates: July 13-15, 2024
- Location: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
- Pricing:
- Members: Free
- Non-members: $50
- Website: Texas Restaurant Show
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The Texas Restaurant Show in San Antonio, TX, is the largest annual gathering of restaurant, food service, and hospitality professionals in Texas.
Why You Should Attend:
The Texas Restaurant Show features exhibitors showcasing a wide range of products and services, including food and beverage, equipment, technology solutions, and culinary innovations. Attendees can participate in educational sessions, culinary demonstrations, and networking events to learn the latest industry trends and connect with peers and suppliers.
7. California Restaurant Show - Los Angeles, CA (August 2024)
- Dates: August 25-27, 2024
- Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
- Pricing: Starts at $15
- Website: California Restaurant Show
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The California Restaurant Show is the largest food and beverage trade show on the West Coast that brings together restaurant, food service, and hospitality professionals to explore the latest trends, products, and innovations in the industry.
Why You Should Attend:
The California Restaurant Show offers a unique opportunity by featuring exhibitors showcasing food and beverage products, equipment, technology solutions, and services. Attendees can also participate in educational sessions, culinary demonstrations, and networking events to gain insights and connections to drive their businesses forward.
8. FSTEC (Food Service Technology) - Grapevine, TX (September 2024)
- Dates: September 16-18, 2024
- Location: Gaylord Texan Resort
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: FSTEC
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
FSTEC (Food Service Technology) is the leading technology conference for the food service industry that focuses on the latest innovations, trends, and best practices in food service technology.
Why You Should Attend:
FSTEC offers insights about point-of-sale systems, mobile ordering, digital marketing, cybersecurity, and data analytics through educational sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking events with technology vendors and industry experts.
9. Fast Casual Executive Summit - Denver, CO (October 2024)
- Dates: October 13-15, 2024
- Location: Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
- Pricing: Starts at $645
- Website: Fast Casual Executive Summit
- Social Media: X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The Fast Casual Executive Summit is a premier event for fast-casual restaurant executives and industry leaders. It covers topics such as menu innovation, digital technology, sustainability, and customer experience.
Speakers include Jason Rusk, SVP of Restaurant Operations at Wonder, Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken, and Sherif Mityas, CEO of BRIX Holdings.
Why You Should Attend:
The Fast Casual Executive Summit offers a unique blend of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities focused on the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the fast-casual restaurant sector.
10. Restaurant Finance & Development Conference - Las Vegas, NV (November 2024)
- Dates: November 11-13, 2024
- Location: Fontainebleau Las Vegas
- Pricing: Free
- Website: Restaurant Finance & Development Conference
- Social Media: X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference is a premier event for restaurant finance and development professionals that insights into the latest trends, strategies, and opportunities in restaurant finance, investment, and growth.
Why You Should Attend:
The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference offers an opportunity to gain insights, network with peers, and explore financing options to support restaurant growth and expansion. Attendees can participate in educational sessions, panel discussions, and networking events to learn from industry experts, explore financing options, and forge partnerships to fuel restaurant expansion and development.
11. QSR Next - Online (November 2024)
- Date: November 13, 2024
- Location: Online
- Pricing: TBA
- Website: QSR Next
Overview:
QSR Next is a virtual conference focused on the future of the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. It explores emerging trends, innovations, and challenges shaping the future of QSR operations, customer experience, and technology adoption.
Why You Should Attend:
QSR Next offers a convenient and accessible platform for QSR professionals to participate in live presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions to gain insights, learn from industry experts, and explore the future of the QSR landscape.
Summary
These restaurant conferences offer invaluable strategies for adapting to changing consumer expectations and technological advancements. Join and explore how these innovations can be implemented in your own restaurant to stay ahead in a competitive industry. You can also attend more general hotel conferences, which may cover catering, events, property management, marketing, and more.
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