As a restaurant owner, attending bar and restaurant expos, food shows, and other hospitality events can be highly beneficial for your business. The opportunities to network with industry professionals, discover new trends, and gain insights into the latest technologies and products available in the market can exponentially improve your views about how to operate your own restaurant. By attending these shows, you can stay ahead of the competition, enhance your business operations, and find inspiration for improving your restaurant.
Here are the top 7 reasons why you should attend a bar, restaurant, food or hospitality show.
1. Networking
Why? Connect with suppliers, vendors, and other industry professionals to build valuable relationships.
Real World Benefits. We were able to meet other owners from around the country, share experiences, and get fresh ideas on how others handled many of the same issues we were having.
2. Discover Trends
Why? Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in food, beverages, technology, and design.
Real World Benefits. It was interesting to hear about trends that were going on in other areas of the country and then seeing them show up in our area. We started making plans based upon these trends we learned about and got a head start on making necessary changes to stay ahead of our competition.
3. Product Showcase
Why? Explore a wide range of products and services that can enhance your restaurant operations.
Real World Benefits. During one trip to a food show, we found a Nathan's Hot Dog package that came with small hot dogs and buns all in one case. The price was perfect and because they were small (think slider size), it allowed us to get around the baseball stadiums' list of things we could not sell. We ended up selling those little hot dogs like crazy. It added about 20% extra revenue in all our concession locations. We didn't even know we wanted or needed that item until we saw it at the show.
4. Educational Seminars
Why? Attend workshops and seminars to learn from experts and gain valuable insights.
Real World Benefits. Let's face it, if you're not willing to learn, you're just marking time and will eventually get passed by.
5. Inspiration
Why? Get inspired by new ideas, concepts, and innovations that can help you grow your business.
Real World Benefits. We went to a show about a year prior to doing a major renovation of one of our restaurants. It served as a massive brainstorming session and led to us having much better decision-making meetings when it came time to finalize our plans.
6. Staff Rewards
Why? The opportunity to blend education and team building while treating your people to a fun trip all at the same time.
Real World Benefits. We took our top two managers to a weekend food show, and it turned into a weekend retreat for all of us. They enjoyed the educational sessions, the expo hall (which is where one of them found the slider dogs mentioned above), and of course the hotel spa. Did we get value for the money we spent? You bet.
7. Competitive Advantage
Why? Stay ahead of your competitors by being informed about the latest developments in the industry.
Real World Benefits. The restaurant business is tight, with new competitors opening all the time. I always said I didn't want to be somebody's only place; I was just happy to be on their list. At the time, Charlotte had hundreds of restaurants, so being on somebody's list of places they frequented was critically important. New, fresh information is valuable, and the best place to collect it as at these trade shows.
In all fairness, you can't go to every show, but it's not too late to attend one of my favorites: The Bar and Restaurant Expo in Vegas. The show runs March 17-20th, and I'll be speaking on Monday, March 18 in a session called, "Transforming your People from Liabilities to Assets Will Reduce Expenses and Grow Revenue!" Get your tickets today!
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Plan to Attend or Participate in the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 18-20, 2024
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 2024 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at the 2024 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
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.