Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025

Will Guidara, the renowned restaurateur, author, and co-producer of FX’s hit series The Bear, has redefined what it means to deliver exceptional hospitality. As the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, Guidara’s more-is-more philosophy turned the restaurant into a three-Michelin-starred, World’s Best Restaurant winner. His groundbreaking approach—centered on creating a deep sense of belonging— also became a major influence on The Bear’s portrayal of hospitality.

In this keynote, Guidara shares his journey from running one of the world’s top restaurants to shaping one of television’s most celebrated depictions of the industry. He’ll dive into the lessons from his book, Unreasonable Hospitality, and offer actionable insights on team culture, guest experience, and scaling hospitality with heart. Whether you’re looking to elevate your business, empower your team, or create unforgettable moments, this session delivers exclusive wisdom from an industry visionary who has influenced both real-life and on-screen hospitality.

Sponsored By: Blaze

Industry Excellence Awards
Recognizing the best of the best in hospitality, the Bar & Restaurant Expo Industry Excellence Awards honor outstanding individuals and venues that are making a significant impact on the industry. This is your chance to nominate those who embody excellence and innovation.

Award Categories
Individual Awards

1. Bartender of the Year
2. Chef of the Year
3. Community Leadership Award
4. Industry Impact

Venue Awards

1. NEW! Design of the Year
2. Bar of the Year
3. Restaurant of the Year
4. Best Hospitality Training Program
5. Best Cocktail Program

Supplier Awards
These prestigious awards aim to honor industry trailblazers who have redefined the bar and restaurant landscape with their exceptional products and solution

Categories

1. Best Alcoholic Beverage
2. Best Food Product/Producer
3. Best Non-Alcoholic Product or Mixer
4. Best Entertainment Product
5. Best Equipment, Tool, or Bar Supply
6. Best Technology Product
7. Best Décor or Furniture Product

Join industry experts Art Sutley Phil Wills, Mia Mastroianni and a special celebrity guest for an engaging and dynamic session on the power of empowerment in the hospitality industry. This panel will explore how to empower your staff, management, and ownership to foster growth, success, and a positive work culture—both inside and outside the four walls of your business. In this interactive session, our panelists will share real-life experiences, industry insights, and
actionable strategies to help you:
• Empower your staff by creating a supportive, inclusive environment where they can
    thrive both personally and professionally.
• Inspire management with leadership tools that encourage self-growth, emotional
   intelligence, and effective conflict resolution.
• Strengthen ownership by cultivating an empowering culture that drives business success
   and personal growth for leaders.
Expect to walk away with practical tips and fresh ideas to implement in your business, as well as
the opportunity to engage directly with our panelists during a Q&A session. Whether you're an
owner, manager, or part of the front-line team, this session is designed to help you elevate your
role and your business to the next level.
Don’t miss out! Come ready with your burning questions and get the tools you need to
empower yourself and your team.

Vegan Pulled "Pork"
Roasted maitake mushrooms, charred vegetable slaw, remoulade & pickled stuff, micro amaranth & bulls blood

Scaling a hospitality business in today’s market requires more than just great food and drinks—it demands operational discipline, strategic expansion, and financial acumen. In this session, we’ll explore how Gin & Luck, the company behind Death & Co, grew from a single New York cocktail bar into a nationally recognized, multi-revenue stream brand. Attendees will gain insights into scalable business models, developer-funded growth, licensing opportunities, and brand-driven revenue diversification to expand without massive capital outlays.
Attendees will: 

• Understand the fundamentals of scalable hospitality business models.
• Explore developer-funded expansion and licensing as growth strategies.
• Learn how to diversify revenue streams beyond brick-and-mortar locations.
• Identify financial strategies to increase margins and fund sustainable growth.
• Gain real-world insights from a successful multi-location hospitality brand.

The demand for high-quality non-alcoholic options is skyrocketing, and hospitality venues that embrace this shift can unlock new revenue streams, attract diverse guests, and enhance the overall guest experience. But how can bars, restaurants, and hotels go beyond token offerings to create a truly compelling NA program?
This interactive seminar brings together industry experts to explore best practices for integrating non-alcoholic drinks into hospitality settings—covering menu strategy, pricing, staff training, consumer engagement, and operational execution.
Join moderator Derek Brown (Co-Founder, Mindful Drinking Fest; Author, Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No & Low-Alcohol Cocktails) as he leads a discussion with top hospitality leaders on:

• How to build a non-alcoholic beverage program that sells
• Maximizing margins while offering value to guests
• Understanding what today’s guests expect from NA offerings
• Equipping teams to promote and serve NA drinks effectively
• Seamlessly integrating NA options into your venue’s workflow

Whether you run a cocktail bar, restaurant, hotel, or multi-unit operation, this seminar will provide actionable insights to help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving beverage landscape.

Stepping into the role of lead or head bartender is a pivotal career decision that can unlock exciting growth opportunities. In this two-part masterclass, you'll learn how to evaluate and prepare for this leadership position thoughtfully and strategically. We'll also dive into the often-overlooked but essential skill of listening, equipping you with tools to lead effectively, resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships with colleagues and guests alike. This session will set you up for success not only as a bartender but as a respected leader in the hospitality industry.

In this 90-minute masterclass restaurant general managers will learn how to transform a standard pre-shift meeting into a powerful tool for enhancing team engagement, improving service quality, and boosting overall restaurant performance. This session will provide actionable strategies to elevate the pre-shift from a mechanical task to an energizing, culture-building event. Attendees will gain insights into structuring pre-shift meetings that not only prepare staff operationally but also inspire and motivate them, leading to stronger guest experiences, improved staff retention, and increased revenue.
Key topics will include the importance of creating a consistent and intentional pre-shift structure, how to develop and convey core values, and practical methods for continuous staff education and growth. Participants will leave with clear guidelines on how to organize, lead, and sustain pre-shift meetings that drive success across all levels of the restaurant.
Participants will know how to:

• Standardize Pre-Shift Content: Use a structured format that includes daily and weekly focuses based on monthly educational themes such as service excellence, hospitality, and food knowledge.
• Invest in Engagement: Spend 20-30 minutes on pre-shift meetings daily, ensuring that both FOH and BOH staff are engaged, motivated, and prepared to create an exceptional guest experience.
• Develop Core Values: Ensure that pre-shift meetings communicate your restaurant’s core values in real-time application, fostering a sense of purpose and alignment among staff.
• Support Management Growth: Train managers to be effective leaders and educators through the pre-shift structure, providing them with tools to motivate and guide their teams.
• Boost Staff Retention: Use pre-shift meetings as a platform for continuous education and team-building, reducing turnover by making staff feel valued and invested in their growth.

Filipino Fried Chicken Lollipops
Kare-kare sauce and pickled papaya slaw

Bar Managers face some unique challenges. Whether you're looking for new insights or just validation of your experiences, join others facing similar issues at our Bar Managers Meet-Up. Hosted by Bar & Restaurant Expo Advisory Board member Chad Michael George, come exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships in a casual setting.