It’s that time when we look to the year ahead for some inspiration. While winter’s just been laid to rest, spring quickly leads to summer, and our best intentions are swept away under the mat of a busy season.
So, what can a restaurant operator do to help them remember why they got into this business and keep them excited about the prospects?
That’s where the industry’s tradeshows, conventions, and expos come in, reminding us of the incredible community surrounding us and the possibilities that change brings.
Let’s take a look at some of the upcoming events and make plans before another year passes by.
National Restaurant Association Show / May 17-20 / Chicago
The big kahuna of the year is the National Restaurant Association Show. As they humbly state, this Show is where “every trend, solution, and category in the industry comes to life. When it comes to staying on top of what’s happening in hospitality—and ahead of what’s next—there’s no place like the Show.”
As the Western Hemisphere’s largest foodservice event, their accolades would be correct. Here, you’ll find some innovative ideas, including the latest menu trends and operational opportunities that reduce stress and help overcome some of today’s challenges, including strategies for labor and supply chain issues.
Operator-led educational programs are ideal for those looking for solutions to some of the pain points they’re experiencing. The Emerging Brands Pavilion features new companies you may have yet to hear about. On-floor programming includes culinary demos by celebrity chefs, beverage sessions with mixologists, and supplier-led sessions.
FS/TEC / September 14-16 / Kissimmee, Florida
As major investors in the sector encompassing technology, restaurants, and entertainment, our team at EMERGING Fund is always excited to see what’s transpiring at FS/TEC.
Self-described as the “conference where the restaurant industry and technology converge,” it offers a dynamic agenda, including discussions on the latest industry innovations. Experts in their field share insights into the latest trends in foodservice technology, an ever-evolving space.
At this event, you’ll find tech-focused decision-makers looking for their next partner, over 60 speakers, and more than 725 exhibitors and sponsors. According to FS/TEC, 76% of restaurant operators believe using technology offers them a competitive edge. Because of this, operators are looking to stay updated on the latest advancements, discovering what technologies will help them reach the next level.
With the biggest Food Tech show floor in the industry, you’re sure to find something new and tantalizing.
Restaurant Finance & Development Conference / November 10-12 / Las Vegas
The Restaurant Finance Monitor’s annual RFDC is the premier financial event for restaurant operators, owners, and financial executives. If you’re interested in the business side of things (and who isn’t), this is the conference to attend.
Expert educational sessions include topics on financial strategies, raising capital, and the latest M&A activity. You’ll also have the opportunity to make valuable contacts. These contacts include investors and lenders for those looking for expansion or buying or selling opportunities.
The Benefits of Attending
For those in the restaurant industry looking for a competitive edge, these shows give you insider knowledge: what works, what doesn’t, and the latest trends. They also provide the opportunity to meet fellow attendees through chance encounters or at one of the many networking events.
And we all know what chance encounters can do.
- When Steve Jobs and Bill Fernandez were taking a walk, they ran into Steve Wozniak, who was washing his car. The ensuing relationship between Jobs and Wozniak resulted in Apple Computer, Inc.
- John Lennon and Paul McCartney met at the Woolton Parish Church Garden Feet in 1957. Quarrymen, a high school band with John Lennon as the lead singer, got into the event at the last minute. An impressed McCartney introduced himself. We all know what happened from there.
The moral of the story? You never know which step in what direction will change your life, or at least your business, for the good.
