EXPO + EDUCATION
RICK BAYLESS AWARD-WINNING CHEF, RESTAURATEUR, AUTHOR AND TV PERSONALITY JEFFREY CLARK DIRECTOR, EXPERT EXCHANGE COMMUNITIES: NUTRITION, SUSTAINABILITY, AND FOOD SAFETY/ QUALITY ASSURANCE AT NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SUSTAINABILITY AS A PROFIT AND RECRUITMENT DRIVER
MAY 17 SATURDAY
1:00 p.m.- 1:45 p.m.
The #1 trend in the National Restaurant Association’s 2025 What’s Hot report is sustainability. Gen Z is emerging as “the sustainability generation”, impacting both consumer behavior and staffing. But with so much talk about sustainability it’s hard to know what it all really means for your business. Where should you start and what tactics make sense for your brand and resources? How should you engage your staff? How does sustainability truly impact your customer engagement and retention? Get a clear picture of how sustainability initiatives can and will affect your business now and in the near future. Uncover pragmatic steps to improve your environmental footprint, communicate best practices with your employees, and highlight achievements with your customers that will in turn drive profit.
PAVAN KAPUR CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER AT CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT DR. RACHEL J.C. FU CHAIR, DIRECTOR, AND PROFESSOR AT ERIC FRIEDHEIM TOURISM INSTITUTE | DEPT OF TOURISM, HOSPITALITY AND EVENT MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA BOB SCHALOW SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AT DIVERSIFIED RESTAURANT GROUP HOSPITALITY WORKFORCE REVOLUTION: ENHANCING RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND ENGAGEMENT WITH AI AND FUTURE-READY SKILLSETS
MAY 17 SATURDAY
2:00 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.
As AI and automation reshape the future of work, the importance of equipping the workforce with essential skills—both technical and soft skills—has never been greater. This session will focus on how smart recruitment, employee retention strategies, and meaningful engagement can be optimized through a deep understanding of technology, AI literacy, and the cultivation of critical soft skills. From integrating AI into the hiring process to nurturing a workforce capable of adapting to digital transformations, discover the future of workforce development and the vital role of skill-building.
JESSICA BEST OWNER & CHIEF STRATEGIST AT BETTERAVE TOP 10 EMAIL MARKETING CAMPAIGNS THAT WORK FOR RESTAURANTS MAY 18 SUNDAY 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. Email Marketing consistently earns the highest Return on Investment of any channel, driving more than 20x what it costs! Are you getting $20+ in revenue for every $1 you spend in email marketing? The secret is in your data: Data-driven email marketing can be customized, targeted, and timed perfectly for each and every recipient. And in today’s world, more relevance drives more revenue. Bring your email/data questions & conundrums! We’ll workshop a few of them so you can clear hurdles to make your email marketing more powerful. BRYAN MEREDITH RESTAURATEUR COACH AND SPEAKER AT BRYAN MEREDITH COACHING CYBERSECURITY ESSENTIALS FOR RESTAURANT OWNERS AND TEAMS MAY 18 SUNDAY 11:00 a.m.- 11:45 a.m. Even with cybersecurity on the rise, you do not have to be an IT expert to incorporate cybersecurity practices into your operations to help keep your business safe. Of course, having an IT expert on your team can be beneficial, however, you still need to know the fundamentals. Whether you’re a restaurant owner or team member, you’ll learn valuable, yet simple steps to safeguard your operation. From tactics to protecting customer information, to keeping the business running smoothly if something goes wrong, you’ll gain a better understanding of cybersecurity to take action against possible threats.
NATHAN SNO CEO AT FOOD STORY MEDIA MASTERING SOCIAL MEDIA: YOUR STORY IS YOUR SUPERPOWER
MAY 18 SUNDAY 11:00 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.
Social media isn’t about algorithms, it’s about attention. In this masterclass, we’ll break down the two key elements of social media mastery: your story and your strategy. Every powerful brand starts with clarity in who you are, what you do, and why it matters. You’ll learn how to craft an identity that stands out. But a great story means nothing without execution. We’ll uncover systems, hacks, and frameworks that leverage social media psychology and connection tactics to build authority, engage your audience, and amplify your impact. Whether you’re growing a business, building a personal brand, or leading a movement, the ability to communicate your story with precision and execute with intention is the difference between being seen and being remembered.
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National Restaurant Association Show Preview
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