Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025

Explore the dynamic Bar & Restaurant Expo Hall, where innovation meets opportunity! Discover the latest products, services, and solutions that can take your business to the next level. With access and complimentary samples included in all registration passes, this is your chance to taste, test, and connect with top industry suppliers.

Chicken Hummus Bowl with Tim Witcher

Learn how to create an engaging industry night that boosts sales during slow months, fosters community support, and adds excitement with friendly competition. This session will guide you in setting up a successful event that unites hospitality workers and gives back to the hospitality community while building lasting relationships with local businesses and suppliers.
Participants will learn:

• How to organize a competition that attracts hospitality professionals and builds camaraderie.
• Effective strategies for marketing the event on social media to maximize attendance.
• Techniques to engage the community and ensure long-term participation.
• How to partner with suppliers and local businesses for sponsorship and support.
• Key steps to manage high volumes and optimize your venue for a seamless, successful event.

This session highlights the vital role front-of-house staff play in crafting memorable guest experiences. Gain actionable strategies to energize and empower your team, ensuring they deliver exceptional service that transforms first-time visitors into loyal patrons.
Participants will know how to: 

• Empower staff to make on-the-spot decisions that enhance guest experiences.
• Build a culture of recognition that celebrates outstanding service and teamwork.
• Enhance training focusing on soft skills like empathy and conflict resolution.
• Personalize guest interactions by remembering preferences and special occasions.
• Foster a feedback-driven environment to encourage continuous improvement.

Striking the right balance between managing costs and driving revenue is one of the most challenging aspects of running a successful bar or restaurant. This session dives into actionable strategies for pricing menus effectively, maintaining profitability, and staying competitive in an ever-evolving market. Gain the tools to optimize pricing while enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty.
Participants will: 

• Learn how menu pricing influences customer perception and drives purchasing decisions.
• Explore tactics for managing food, beverage, and labor costs while maintaining high standards.
• Discover how to strategically price and structure menus to increase profitability and guide guest choices.
• Leverage industry data and consumer behavior insights to stay ahead of pricing shifts.
• Design promotions that align with your pricing strategy and attract repeat business.

Designed specifically for established independent restaurants and multi-unit operators with 2-25 units, this town hall session tackles the unique challenges for established businesses or those currently in an active scale-up phase.
This 2-hour "triage" session is tailored for those facing specific business challenges or actively scaling up operations.
In an interactive town hall format, three industry consultants will provide targeted insights on these key areas: People & Staffing, Operations & Financials, and Digital & Social Media Marketing, focusing on solutions that drive growth and streamline operations.
After the town hall, participate in 30-minute breakout discussions providing one-on-one coaching to address your current challenge or questions. Get ready to leave with tailored, actionable insights to help you scale effectively and enhance your business’s long-term success.

In this dynamic workshop, participants will learn how to craft a compelling and flexible brand story that aligns their hospitality project with community values and supports sustainable growth. Through interactive activities, we’ll guide you in defining core brand values, refining your messaging, and ensuring consistent communication with employees, partners, and customers.

• Identify and define core brand values for long-term success.
• Develop a compelling brand story that resonates with your community.
• Learn how to communicate consistently across all stakeholder groups.
• Build a brand story that remains adaptable as your project grows.
• Gain practical tools to structure and discipline your brand messaging efforts.

Tuna Tostada with Nick Liberato

Access to watch the Shake It Up Competition is included in all registration passes.

Bar & Restaurant Expo is the official location for the United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG) National Cocktail Competition.

Get ready to witness the cocktail event of the year – the electrifying USBG Shake It Up Competition that will have you on the edge of your seats!

Watch this thrilling competition as the most talented bartenders go head-to-head in a battle of creativity, speed, and skill. Witness mind-blowing cocktail concoctions that push the boundaries of what you thought a drink could be.

Support the bartender community and cheer on the National Finalists in both the Classic and Flair Division!

Spotlight Stage, Future Proof Experience

Join a veteran bar operator and lawyer for a concise overview of the legal factors that can shape the long-term success of your business. This session covers critical topics like business formation, property acquisition, licensing, and compliance, offering actionable insights for navigating the complex legal challenges of the hospitality industry.
Session participants will: 

• Understand the key legal considerations for starting and structuring a hospitality business.
• Learn strategies for property acquisition and lease negotiations.
• Gain insights into licensing and compliance requirements for bar and restaurant operations.
• Identify common legal pitfalls and how to mitigate risks effectively.
• Equip yourself with practical knowledge to address legal challenges at any stage of business growth.

Become a local leader by building meaningful connections with your community. This session will help you develop strategies to strengthen your brand’s presence and foster loyalty in your local market.

Learn how to engage with your community to build lasting relationships.
Discover strategies for supporting and collaborating with local businesses.
Position your venue as a cornerstone of your neighborhood.
Utilize local events and partnerships to enhance visibility.
Build a loyal customer base through authentic community involvement.

Chicken Jalapeno Popper Meatballs with Bobby Marcotte

Live Menu Read with Brian Duffy