Events Archives - Page 3 of 5

Collective Wisdom for Catering Excellence

At the annual symposium for Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP), top catering business owners come together with thought leaders to exchange ideas and best practices. From HR and operations to culinary, kitchen, sales and finance, the event is a dynamic gathering of collective hospitality wisdom. Attendees leave with actionable insights designed to elevate their business and further the relationships started that week.

As ECEP prepares for its 2025 Symposium in Napa Valley, California, we’ve summarized five of the most impactful sessions from previous symposiums, with actionable strategies to help any catering business grow and prosper.

Double the Opportunity

The co-located 2024 Florida Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit were so successful that the event is being expanded to three days in 2025.

“The number-one reason people come to these shows now is to learn,” says Glenn Celentano, partner and CEO of Restaurant Events LLC, owner of the events. “Every restaurant operator has something that’s keeping them up at night, and the education is what really drives people to come. With two days, there’s not enough time to sit down and take in all the education and see the whole exhibit floor. Expanding to three days gives [attendees] that opportunity.”

Business Leaders Connect at Plant Based World Expo North America

Plant Based World Expo North America, the leading 100% plant-based trade event, marked its fifth event presenting the future of the plant-based industry to retail and foodservice professionals at the Javits Center in New York City. The event highlighted the accelerating innovation and longevity of the plant-based sector, setting the stage for what’s next in food and beverage, and bringing it to key stakeholders in the food industry.

Nearly 5,000 Attend the California Restaurant Show in Los Angeles

In late August, nearly 5,000 restaurant, pizza and foodservice industry professionals, representing a 51% increase in buyers, were at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the California Restaurant Show, which for the first time included the Pizza Tomorrow Summit Pavilion.

The sold-out trade show floor featured 220-plus exhibiting companies, with 50% of them new to the show, offering new food, drinks, technology, equipment, tableware and much more. The education program, developed in partnership with the California Restaurant Association and a brand-new Conference Advisory Board, featured 60-plus speakers, dozens of culinary competitions, demonstrations, and a sold-out Food and Wine pairing. The tradeshow and conference was co-located with the Coffee Fest Los Angeles, which attracted thousands of additional coffee shop owners and industry professionals.

Peak Creations

Not that long ago with outdoor events, tents tended to be an event planner’s lackluster plan B—something to fall back on if black clouds and a solid drenching threatened your garden party.

Today, though—with new engineering, advanced tech including HVAC systems and electricity, not to mention stylish new formats—tenting systems are serving as full-fledged temporary event venues. Whether you opt for a sleek black conservatory style or a flower-strewn white pole tent, at their best tent installations add both a “wow” factor and functionality.

New England Restaurant & Bar Show Takes Place in Boston in February

The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and Exposition Development Company, Inc. are gearing up for the New England Restaurant & Bar Show

Success in the Sunshine State

Under new management and co-located for the first time with the Pizza Tomorrow Summit, the 2023 Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show in Orlando put on a strong showing in November, attracting thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors—both an increase from last year’s numbers.