Bar & Restaurant Expo, the nation’s largest and most influential gathering of bar and restaurant owners and operators, returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center March 24-26 for the 39th edition of the annual event. This year’s expo welcomed 10,984 attendees, who enjoyed exclusive access to leading suppliers, endless networking opportunities, expert speakers, educational workshops and more.
On Tuesday, March 25, Bar & Restaurant Expo kicked off its official expo floor opening with a red carpet and celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. Special guests included Team USA Olympic long jump gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall and Paralympic sprinting gold medalist Hunter Woodhall, who helped mark the occasion. During the ceremony, expo organizers presented a $5,000 donation to CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees), the event’s official charity partner. Additionally, two Johnson & Wales University students, Lea Dalton and Grace Miles, each received a $2,000 fellowship grant to support their studies in the beverage and culinary fields.
The expo floor featured multiple key activations including the IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, which offered attendees a unique opportunity to explore industry innovations, understand emerging trends, and connect with influential leaders shaping the future of hospitality; the Japanese Food and Beverage Showcase, immersing visitors in the best of Japan’s culinary craftsmanship allowing attendees to source high-quality ingredients and cutting-edge products directly from Japan’s top producers; the Italian Aperitivo Showcase, presenting leading spirits and flavors from Italy; and the Cocktail Clubhouse, a dynamic and captivating space exclusively designed for owners, operators and bartenders passionate about pushing the boundaries of beverage creation. Bar & Restaurant Expo also recognized winners of various prestigious awards, including the Industry Excellence Awards, Industry Impact Award, and the second annual Supplier Awards.
“Bar & Restaurant Expo is focused on supporting the evolving needs of our industry,” said Tim McLucas, Vice President of the Bar & Restaurant Group at Questex. “The event offers the latest education, new ideas, new solutions, and brand-new innovation that helps owners and operators navigate challenges and take advantage of key opportunities to grow their businesses.”
In addition to supporting the industry through education and networking, Bar & Restaurant Expo made a meaningful impact on the local Las Vegas community by donating a total of 1,213 pounds of food to Three Square, the region’s primary food bank network. The donation included leftovers from the Food & Beverage Innovation Center, with several participating sponsors also contributing their unused food to the collection. This collective effort helped ensure that quality food did not go to waste and instead supported those facing food insecurity across Southern Nevada.
Bar & Restaurant Expo looks forward to an exciting return to Las Vegas for its 40th anniversary on March 23-25, 2026. For more information, visit here.
