The Call for Proposals for the 2024 Restaurant Show is now closed.
Submitters will be notified of the status of their proposal by November 1, 2023. If you don’t receive a notification by November 1, please check your junk or spam folders for an email from the National Restaurant Show (service@mapyourshow.com).
Education at the Show provides insightful, engaging and timely content focused on key topics relevant to foodservice operators and the industry
Session Types and Locations:
- The majority of our operator-led education sessions are 45 minutes and will be hosted in closed meeting rooms just off the Show floor to allow for focused learning experiences. These sessions may be presentations led by 1-3 speakers, panel discussions with up to 4 speakers, or other session formats approved by the Show’s Programming Team.
- Adult beverage demos and sessions will be 30-45 minutes and hosted in The Beverage Room Stage, located directly on the Show floor.
Target Audience: Foodservice and hospitality operators from across the industry spectrum, including but not limited to commercial independents and commercial chains, non-commercial foodservice, retail foodservice and lodging.
- Foodservice and hospitality operators that are subject matter experts and have direct experience in the proposed topic area.
- Subject matter experts from foodservice and hospitality service or membership organizations, educational institutions, or media and insights firms.
Note for Suppliers: We do not accept proposals from suppliers or any employee or representative of a supplier through the Call for Proposals. In order to participate in the Show’s education program, suppliers must exhibit at the 2024 Show and sponsor the session. Please contact nraexhibitinfo@winsightmedia.com for more information about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities.
As a subject matter expert, you are joining us in our mission to deliver impactful in-person education that will help build the future of the industry. Your experience and perspective may help your peers answer their biggest questions, build their business and strengthen our community.
Speaker benefits include:
- Complimentary registration to the 2024 Restaurant Show, with access to all education sessions, featured sessions, and the Show Expo (excludes evening events and ancillary events.
- Inclusion in marketing promotions (highlighting you, your company, and your session) to attendees through the Show’s various marketing platforms.
- Opportunity to contribute to the advancement of the industry and your profession.
- Opportunity to network with peers and industry professionals at the event.
- Platform to demonstrate your value, expertise and acumen, often leading to business and career development.
Speaker Expense Reimbursement
The National Restaurant Show does not pay speaker fees or reimburse for travel expenses. Most speakers and their companies recognize the importance of being part the Show’s educational program and embrace the spirit of giving back to the industry by funding their own travel and lodging.
The Show provides speakers the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise, knowledge and thought leadership, as well as to network with industry professionals for business development purposes.
The Show will select session proposals based on a variety of quality factors, including but not limited to:
- Proposal is in alignment with the 2024 Show’s focus areas.
- Content is relevant to today’s foodservice industry and the Show’s target audience.
- Content provides timely, practical and actionable takeaways.
- Content and/or content delivery method is unique.
- Content delivery method is appropriate and impactful in an in-person learning environment.
- Content is devoid of overt and covert commercialism.
- Proposal incorporates audience engagement and/or experiential elements.
- Speaker has public speaking experience or demonstrates ability to present professionally in an educational setting.
- Speaker is knowledgeable, engaging and has direct experience with the proposed topic.
- Proposal is well-written and meets overall submission guidelines.
Please review the Submission Guidelines before starting a proposal. For a complete checklist of information collected in the proposal form, please see Appendix B of the Submission Guidelines.
- A complete proposal! This includes session title, description, learning objectives, supporting materials, and all speaker information. We will not consider incomplete submissions.
- Proposals should be specific, well-titled, and illustrative of the impact of the content to be presented. The more specific a proposal, the better.
- Your title is going to be fighting for attention with dozens of other titles, so be creative but make sure it is also direct and explanatory.
- Speakers are just as important as the content! It is critical you include all speaker details in your proposal (speaker name, title, company, contact information, headshot and biography), as the proposed speaker(s) heavily impact scoring. Make sure to confirm with the speaker(s) their availability to present during the 2024 Show prior to submitting the proposal.
- Identify ways to engage your audience to maximize the impact of your proposed session (i.e. case studies, scenario-based exercises, discussions, group work, etc.).
- Proof your work!
- The Call for Proposals closed September 29th. We are no longer accepting proposals for the 2024 Show at this time.
2024 Education Tracks and Topics
We prioritize proposals that are tailored to one of the areas of focus for the 2024 Show, however we will consider other topics that are highly relevant and meet our selection criteria.
Culinary Insights: Through culinary-focused education, explore the latest in food and beverage trends, menu insights and optimizations to boost sales, and more.
- Culinary and menu innovations: secret menus, LTO’s and beyond
- Emerging flavor trends
- Managing supply chain and inflation challenges
- Menu pricing
- Menu optimization and efficiencies
Operations Solutions: Find strategies to improve operational efficiencies, maximize ROI, and navigate today’s new business realities.
- Emergency preparedness
- Financing options for business growth
- Food safety training
- New off-premise business realities
- Selecting the right online ordering platforms for your business
- Navigating service fees and tipping
Marketing Matters: Learn new consumer trends, insights and engagement strategies to successfully market your brand and connect with today’s evolving consumer.
- Consumer myths and realities
- Digital marketing
- Lessons from successful LTO’s
- Marketing for different dayparts
- Social media trends, best practices, and influencer campaigns
Technology Strategies: Discover how the power of technology can improve your business.
- AI: opportunities, challenges, and where to start
- Assessing & prioritizing technology needs
- Location-based marketing tools
- Loyalty program tech
- Managing & leveraging customer data
Trends in Adult Beverage: From new revenue opportunities to what’s trending in beer, wine and spirits, find business insights to maximize your beverage program.
- Beverage trends
- Beverage LTO’s
- Daytime drinking occasions
- Low and zero-proof drinks
- The evolving bar customer
- The latest in to-go alcohol
Workforce Management: Gain tools to create a stronger workforce. Learn how to navigate the new labor landscape, bolster hiring, retention and training efforts, and prioritize DEI and wellness.
- Creating an inclusive work environment
- Nontraditional hiring channels and platforms
- Prioritizing authenticity in DEI work
- Rethinking compensation models
- The next generation of workforce
- Training & reskilling
SUBMISSION & SELECTION PROCESS & GUIDELINES
How to Submit a Proposal
The Call for Proposals closed September 29th. We are no longer accepting proposals for the 2024 Show at this time.
Before you submit your proposal, please make sure:
1) That you/your speakers have pre-established authorization from your/their employer (if applicable) to present.
2) That you/your speakers have travel expenses covered.
3) That you/your speakers agree—if accepted—not to cancel other than for medical or family-emergency reasons. Submitting and agreeing to speak is a professional commitment to be taken seriously.
Submission Guidelines
Please review the Submission Guidelines before starting a proposal. For a complete checklist of information collected in the proposal form, please see Appendix B of the Submission Guidelines.
Review & Selection Process
Proposals are reviewed by a panel of industry experts representing various industry segments and areas of expertise. Reviewers score proposals based on the Selection Criteria, and proposals with the highest scores are considered for selection. The Show programming team will notify submitters of their proposal status by November 1, 2023.
Non-Commercial Policy
There is a strict non-commercial policy in place for speakers participating in the program. Review the Submission Guidelines for more details on the non-commercial policy.
Email Sign Up
More information on the latest National Restaurant Show
Text Sign Up
Stay up-to-date on everything for the Show. Sign up to receive texts from the National Restaurant Show on news, features, education and more.