Bar & Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas Was Largest in 5 Years
The thirty seventh annual Bar & Restaurant Expo, held March 27-29 in Las Vegas, was the biggest in 5 years, with a complete of 11,477 attendees, a ten% improve over the 2022 occasion.
The expo flooring opened on Tuesday, March 28, with a particular ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Meals Community celeb chef Jet Tila, who reduce the ceremonial ribbon alongside Bar & Restaurant Group Vice President Tim McLucas. Along with Tila, different celebrities, visitors and cooks graced the pink carpet, together with Robert “Kool” Bell from Kool & The Gang; celeb mixologist Mia Mastroianni; celeb chef Brian Duffy; Jackie Summers, the keynote speaker and founding father of JackFromBrooklyn and Sorel Liqueur; and Phil Wills, co-founder of Spirits in Movement.
Additionally on the pink carpet, McLucas introduced Shelia Bennet, government director of CORE (Kids of Restaurant Workers), the official charity associate of Bar & Restaurant Expo, with a $5,000 donation on behalf of the expo.
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Tila introduced the opening keynote session, sharing his journey from immigrant son to world-renowned chef and the teachings he’s realized all through his entrepreneurial profession. Day two kicked off with a twin keynote session by Summers and Susan Fedroff, co-owner of Clover Membership, Leyenda and MilLady, who introduced important management abilities that apply to all phases of creating a brand new enterprise.
On the expo flooring, patrons had entry to 400 exhibitors, a 52% improve in comparison with 2022, plus an expanded program of thrilling reside culinary demos by a workforce of high-profile cooks, together with Duffy, Larissa DaCosta, Kevin DesChenes, and Kayla Robison, who showcased the newest meals and gear innovation that enhances income and the visitor expertise.
Friends additionally sampled scrumptious dishes that included Honolulu avenue garlic shrimp; Nikkei-style crispy pork stomach causa; and brief rib Penang curry pressed sandwiches.
“Seeing the speedy progress in participation from attendees and exhibitors this yr has been wonderful contemplating the place the trade was simply three years in the past,” McLucas stated. “New enterprise alternatives are thriving within the trade proper now, and we’re targeted on supporting operators as they develop their companies and broaden their meals and beverage choices that enchantment to their prospects’ evolving wants.”
This yr’s Bar & Restaurant Expo additionally featured the first-ever Japanese Meals & Beverage Showcase, through which 50 exhibitors introduced a mixture of prime Japanese merchandise, flavors and globally famend specialties. There was additionally the Restaurant Zone, a 15,000-square-foot space devoted to restaurant gear, meals and options. The brand new Non Alc Chill Zone showcased what’s new within the fast-growing trade of non-alcoholic drinks.
Bar & Restaurant Expo capped off the yr with the 2023 Business Excellence Awards ceremony. Mastroianni introduced the awards, with classes together with group management, bartender of the yr and finest hospitality coaching program. Discover a full record of the 2023 winners right here.
Kim Haasarud of Liquid Structure was introduced with the Business Impression Award, which acknowledged Haasarud’s ardour for the trade and her assist advancing the trade in a major manner.
The 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo will return to Las Vegas March 18-20, 2024.
