With more than 2,200 exhibitors, 700 first-timers, 600 international guests, and 55,000 industry pros expected to attend, the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show will be serving up cutting-edge industry insights and innovations from Saturday, May 18 to the 21st at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The National Restaurant Association Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show® is the most influential foodservice event in the Western Hemisphere, showcasing industry insights, innovations, and trends. Since its inception in 1919, the Show has brought restaurant operators and foodservice professionals together for four days of demos, exhibits, food and beverage sampling, education, and networking. A venue for the global culinary community to gather and explore the latest advancements in food, beverage, equipment, technology and solutions driving the industry forward.
Known among industry insiders as the premiere event in the foodservice industry, organizers of this year’s The NRA Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show® have promised it will be its largest since 2019. Boasting a 700,000 square foot show floor in downtown Chicago, the size of 12 football field, this year’s show is 10% larger than the 2023 event, featuring over two-thousand exhibitors, including 600 international exhibitors, representing 28% of the total exhibitors, from diverse countries, including Canada, China, Brazil, and India, and 700 first-timers.
Taking place May 18 – 21, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago, the NRA is the epicenter for industry insights and innovations, showcasing the trends shaping the food and beverage industries.
Each year, the NRA Show offers a comprehensive snapshot of the industry's outlook, with over 900 product categories, from the latest kitchen equipment to AI-powered solutions , tableware products to emerging culinary flavors, and more, attendees will have a front row seat to what’s driving the restaurant industry into the future.
Participation in the Show offers exhibitors invaluable networking opportunities and exposure, cementing its status as the paramount platform for exhibitors from across the globe.
New and returning exhibitors will be featured within eight pavilions on the Show floor, providing dedicated spaces for them to showcase their offerings. Each pavilion offers its own curated experience tailored to specific interests, including the TECH Pavilion, Bellavita Italian Pavilion, Iberica Spanish Pavilion, The Beverage Room, the Global Food Expo, and the Organic and Natural Pavilion. Startup Alley will highlight first-time exhibitors contributing fresh ideas, products, and innovations to the foodservice industry.
FABI Awards
This year's Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards will recognize 35 recipients for their products shaping the future of restaurants. Marking its 20th anniversary, The 2024 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards will honor 25 recipients who represent the gold standard of food service equipment.
Exhibitor List
Click here for a complete list of companies exhibiting at the 2024 Show. For more information, visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com or head to the show’s official social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Featured Sessions
Keynote '24
Keynote Speaker: José Andrés
Chef, Restaurateur and Humanitarian
Monday, May 20, 2024 - 1:15 p.m. CDT - Grand Ballroom, S100
A captivating discussion with acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian, José Andrés will explore the profound influence food can have on communities and how his own culinary journey has intertwined with his philanthropic efforts.
Drawing on his extensive experience as a world-renowned chef and the founder of World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that has provided millions of meals to those in need, José will share valuable insights on building sustainable food systems, empowering communities, and the crucial importance of giving back. His passion for using food as a tool for social impact aims to inspire positive change within communities.
Journey to 2030 - Forecasting the Future of Foodservice
Speakers: Joe Pawlak, Managing Principal at Technomic and Liz Moskow,
Food Futurist
Sunday, May 19, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. CDT - Grand Ballroom, S100
Robots, drone delivery, more plant-based proteins are here to stay, but what's in store in the next decade? Journey to 2030 takes a closer look into the future of the restaurant industry and explores what lies ahead in the ever-changing culinary landscape. Technomic and industry experts will navigate attendees through projected opportunities, obstacles, and the unknown.
Show Organizers
In partnership with the National Restaurant Association, the Show is owned and operated by Informa, a leading international B2B markets, live and on-demand events, and digital services group, connecting businesses and professionals in over 30 industries with the knowledge they need to thrive.
Show Hours & Location:
Sat., May 18 - Mon., May 20, 2024
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tue., May 21, 2024
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
Representatives from Sauce will be on hand on the show floor to answer any questions about Commission-Free Pickup & Delivery Network for Restaurants.
For a full list of 2024 Restaurant Industry Conferences, Trade Shows, and Expos, check out our related post.
By Eileen Strauss
