Bar & Restaurant Expo, the nation’s largest and most influential gathering of bar and restaurant owners and operators, returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center on March 18 – 20 and welcomed a record 12,378 attendees, an 8% increase compared to 2023, who enjoyed exclusive access to leading suppliers, endless networking opportunities, expert speakers, educational workshops and more.
On Tuesday, March 19, the expo floor officially opened to attendees with a special ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by renowned mixologist and keynote speaker, Julie Reiner, who walked the red carpet after her insightful keynote presentation and cut the ceremonial ribbon alongside Bar & Restaurant Group Vice President Tim McLucas. McLucas presented Jill Chapman and Emily Gorman, representatives of the expo’s official charity partner, CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees), with a $5,000 donation on behalf of the expo. Expo organizers also presented John Owen and Karina Rodriguez Casas, two students pursuing a career in the beverage & culinary field at Johnson & Wales University, with a $1,250 fellowship grant each.
On the expo floor, buyers had access to 500 exhibitors, a 25% increase compared to 2023. In addition to exhibitors, the expo floor featured several brand-new activations like the Pizza Zone, sponsored by Parpan, showcasing the hottest trends from unique artisanal toppings to innovative crusts; the Cocktail Clubhouse, a dynamic and captivating space exclusively designed for owners, operators and bartenders passionate about pushing the boundaries of beverage creation; and the Italian Aperitivo Showcase.
Bar & Restaurant Expo recognized winners of various prestigious awards on the final day of the event, including the Industry Excellence Awards, Industry Impact Award, and the inaugural Supplier Awards. In addition, the national United States Bartender’s Guild (USBG) hosted its annual Shake It Up competition at Bar & Restaurant Expo, where the most talented bartenders in the nation demonstrated their creativity, speed and skill for an expert panel of judges. After many rounds of this competition, Yolanda Gregg was named the 2024 USBG National Champion and will go on to represent the USBG at the IBA World Cocktail Championship in Portugal this fall.
“We are so thrilled to see how Bar & Restaurant Expo has continued to grow each year,” said McLucas. “The expo is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our ever-changing industry, and we are proud to offer owners and operators fresh, relevant perspectives, as well as insight into top-of-the-line innovations year after year, and this year with a focus on profitability.”
Bar & Restaurant Expo will return March 24-26, 2025 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall.
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Plan to Attend or Participate in the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 24-26, 2025
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello (for companies A to G) e: [email protected] p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz (for companies H to Q) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh (for companies R to Z) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-5174
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