Your first time at any expo can be overwhelming. Your first time at Bar & restaurant Expo is very overwhelming. There is so much happening, a million emails, activations, live demonstrations, samples, schedules, education, parties… it’s a lot!
Here’s what you need to make the most of your time at Bar & Restaurant Expo:
- Download the app – this will make your entire experience so much easier, it can even send you alerts for events you want to check out! Download it here for Apple and here for Android phones.
- Wear comfortable shoes – you’re going to be on your feet all day
- Drink water – Las Vegas is very dry, and nothing ruins an event like a hangover
- Bring business cards – if you want to grow your network, you need to have business cards
- Prepare ahead of time – take a look at the conference schedule, event app and website, so you know what to expect when you get to the show. Write down the conference sessions you want to go to, and the booths you want to visit so you have a game plan
- Give yourself ample time to get around – taxis can be scarce, especially late at night
- Notebook & pen – the amount of information flying around Bar & Restaurant Expo is extraordinary. Having something to write down great ideas is honestly paramount to getting the most out of the experience.
If you want to know what else to expect at the show this year, I broke it down day by day.
Day 1
The first day of Bar & Restaurant Expo is all about education. The expo floor isn’t open yet, so you don’t have to worry about getting distracted by the hundreds of booths. If you booked a VIP ticket, you get to take one educational workshop. These are hands-on, immersive educational sessions that run from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Make sure you reserve your space early, because they do sell out! Once the workshops are over, the regular conference sessions, or ‘breakout sessions’ begin. Each one is about an hour long, and they run all day and covering the most important topics, including marketing, technology, F&B, operations and more.
Here's what I learned from my first Bar & Restaurant Expo: plan your time. There’s nothing worse than showing up without a plan and running around trying to figure things out on the fly. The conference schedule is posted online weeks in advance, so you can take a look at what’s happening and figure out what works for you.
Other than that, bring a notebook, a bottle of water and some snacks – there is a huge amount of information being shared today. And as Chef Brian Duffy says, just one sentence you hear in passing can change the way you do business.
The first night of the show has an amazing Welcome Kickoff Party that starts at 6:30pm. It’s open to everyone, and it’s a great place to network, meet with suppliers, sample drinks and have a great time. This year, we’re hosting it at the Sahara Hotel’s beautiful Azilo Pool.
Every night at 9pm, Bar & Restaurant Expo hosts incredible club nights called ‘Platinum Parties’. These are open to VIP ticket holders, but anyone can upgrade their ticket at registration if they want to join. The VIP parties are honestly wild – Las Vegas really does do clubbing better. I’ve been to nightclubs around the world, but nothing prepared me for Vegas. The venues are just outrageously decadent.
It’s not just about partying, you also get to experience products in a real venue and network in an informal setting. If you’re looking to grow your network, the Platinum Parties are a must.
Pro tip: make sure you know the dress code before you go. Also, hydrate.
Day 2
The second day of #BRE is wild. Breakout sessions start at 10:00am, if you’re able to get up in time. If not, make sure you’re at the Las Vegas Convention Center before 11:00am to catch the keynote. This year’s keynote is a panel on growth opportunities for 2022 and beyond – if you’re an operator, you don’t want to miss it. They’re always hosted by leaders in the industry, and provide information you can’t find anywhere else.
Right after the keynote, the crowd starts to gather in the convention center lobby. It’s red-carpet time. Bar & Restaurant invites celebrities to cut the ribbon and officially launch the show. This year, former NASCAR driver and co-founder of City Lights Shine, Brendan Gaughan, will be cutting the ribbon.
Spend some time on the carpet to watch the biggest names in F&B walk by – last year we had E40, Rick Springfield, Sammy Hagar, Mia Mastroianni, David Kaplan, and of course, our incredible FBIC chefs.
After that, the doors are open and the massive crowd floods into the expo hall, where there are literally hundreds of vendors ready to meet you and show off their products.
This is not your standard expo. Don’t expect rows and rows of boring booths. We have interactive demonstration areas, a fully-functioning bar and restaurant, sampling areas and more – it’s really an incredible experience. World Tea Expo is also located on the show floor, so you can explore what’s happening in the tea world and find new products to take back to your venue.
Last year, I got a great tip from an expo pro: walk the floor like a buffet. Take a lap of the floor and jot down booths that you really want to go back to. There’s a map of the show floor available online, and it really is worth looking at before you even get to Las Vegas. That way, you can come up with a plan of attack for exactly who you want to meet. Don’t forget to factor in some time to rest. It’s easy to get carried away on the show floor and wipe yourself out. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Grab something to eat from the FBIC, and head over to the NxT Stage to listen to industry discussions and rest your feet.
The First-Time Attendee Happy Hour starts at 7:00pm, which gives you enough time to head back to the hotel, wash up, maybe take a nap – and get ready for the night. This is a great opportunity to network, and get almost unfettered access to industry influencers and our amazing team of Executive Council board members who are ready to talk with you about basically anything. Make some time to find them, they’re experts in their fields who are literally there to give you free advice. You can find out more about our team here.
And of course, the night isn’t over without a Platinum Party. Head to OMNIA Nightclub for two hours of sponsored drinks, and incredible dancing. Don’t forget about the dress code!
Day 3
Wednesday is definitely a more relaxing day, and you have more opportunities to really speak with people. If you loved a conference speaker, now’s a good time to have a longer conversation, exchange information and keep in touch. Chef Duffy also does his Live Menu Read workshop on Wednesday morning, and if you’re able to get in – it’s one of our most popular sessions.
Wednesday is also a great time to get a closer look at all the incredible kitchen equipment at the FBIC, and find something that will work for your venue.
Stick around for the Industry Excellence Awards, presented by Bar & Restaurant Expo and sunday, and don’t miss our closing Platinum Party is at Marquee Nightclub. It’s a great way to end #BRE2022 on a high note!
Download the full event brochure here to access even more information about the show, and an exclusive promo code.
Bar & Restaurant Expo (formerly Nightclub & Bar Show) is a live, in-person event held March 21-23, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Early bird registration is open now. Click here get your tickets now!
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