The National Restaurant Association Show is just 10 days away. The annual event will be held from May 17 to 20 at the McCormick Place in Chicago. The Show will welcome almost 2,300 exhibitors this year, many of which will introduce products and services to help you save money, energy, water and reduce waste. Many exhibitors will also be presenting food items—including meat alternatives—that are healthier options for you and your guests. A few examples of companies that will be in attendance include Better Earth (compostable packaging), Foodservice Sustainability Solutions (food waste dehydrator), and Path Water Bottles. See the entire list here.
One of the educational sessions will focus on “Sustainability as a Profit and Recruitment Driver.” It will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. The session’s description: “The #1 trend in the National Restaurant Association’s 2025 What’s Hot report is sustainability. Gen Z is emerging as “the sustainability generation”, impacting both consumer behavior and staffing. But with so much talk about sustainability it’s hard to know what it all really means for your business. Where should you start and what tactics make sense for your brand and resources? How should you engage your staff? How does sustainability truly impact your customer engagement and retention? Get a clear picture of how sustainability initiatives can and will affect your business now and in the near future. Uncover pragmatic steps to improve your environmental footprint, communicate best practices with your employees, and highlight achievements with your customers that will in turn drive profit.”
Session speakers will include Rick Bayless, award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and TV personality, and Jeffrey Clark, Director, Expert Exchange Communities: Nutrition, Sustainability, and Food Safety/Quality Assurance at the National Restaurant Assn.
I have attended the NRA Show numerous times in the past and it can take multiple days to cover the trade show floor, network, and attend some of the educational sessions. Be sure to arrive with a plan and comfortable shoes good for walking.
