Tradeshow
Tuesday March 10th | 11:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday March 11th | 9:30am - 3:00pm
3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tuesday: 10:00am - 5:15pm
Wednesday: 8:30am - 5:15pm
DISCOVER NEW PRODUCTS AND IDEAS FOR 2015 AND BEYOND!
All conference packages include access to our award-winning Tradeshow at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which offers more than 900 exhibitor booths and the opportunity to sample some of the best catering-tailored foods and beverages in the world.
The Tradeshow floor is also packed with interactive demo experiences, so you can explore upcoming trends and leave with fresh ideas to truly differentiate and stay ahead of your competition.
Be sure to check the schedule of all Tradeshow events, education sessions, tastings, and hands-on demos, so you do not miss out on all that the Tradeshow has to offer.
Plus, you’ll find new ideas, show specials, demo stages, and tons of inspiration! Many special activity areas will bring added excitement to the Tradeshow floor:
CONTESTS
DICED CULINARY COMPETITION Armed with a mystery basket of ingredients, six creative and highly skilled chef teams will face off in a culinary competition not to be missed! Assigned a specific dish, each team will have thirty minutes to complete their dish and submit for judging. Watch as our panel of noteworthy judges tastes each dish and declares a winner. |
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RAPID RECIPE CHALLENGE Inspired by Top Chef's Quickfire Challenge, watch as these talented chefs complete in a heated rivalry. Contestants will be given a covert list of food items and then will have just minutes to prepare and present their catering creation. Cheer on your favorite chef as a team of experts decides who is named the Rapid Recipe Champion. |
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Tablescape Contest The annual Tablescape Contest is where you'll find dozens of amazing ideas for your tabletop designs. Vote for your favorite, and don't for get your smartphone or camera to capture and bring home the inspiration. |
TRADESHOW STAGES
Spectacular Sweets Pastry Showcase
Get ready for some more sweet surprises as several of the country’s top pastry chefs show off their unique talents in this pastry showcase. You’ll see molded chocolate ideas, decorating demos, sugar techniques and so much more.
Culinary / Innovation Stage
Watch presentations focused on culinary trends and techniques, social media, technology, and inspired event designs.
Sample Sessions:
• A Prettier Bank Balance: Use Mobile Technology To Grow Your Business and Save Money
• Edible Art. Build a Cheese Display that Will Impress the Toughest Critics
• My Top Five Favorite Apps for Catering
The Tasting Bar New!
Your taste buds will be tingling with anticipation when you “belly up” to the tasting bar. Taste chocolate, herbs, coffee and much more during these sessions. Each session is limited to 50 “tasters”, so get to this stage early.
Sample Sessions:
• Secrets from the Cup – Coffee Tasting
• Where There’s Smoke – Taste and Smell the Results of Smoking with Different Woods
• Manna from Heaven. A Devine Chocolate Tasting
Hands-on Demo Arena
If you are looking to get your hands into action, step right up and join the classes in this action stage area. You will participate in the classes that teach how to set up and execute a plated dinner, how to set the dining room efficiently, design tricks for menu cards and place cards, platter and passed appetizer garnishes, food photography, and more.
Sample Sessions:
• Build a Gold Medal Team. Fun and Effective Team Building Exercises
• Setting the Dining Room Quickly with Consistency & Flare
• Garnishing Ideas for Platters and Passed Appetizer Trays
Think Tank
Take advantage of this open forum format where experts on specific topics will answer your questions, discuss pertinent issues, and talk about the business of Catering & Events.
Sample Sessions:
• Solving the Mystery of the Millennial Generation Client and Employee
• Using Social Media to Reach Today’s Catering and Event Client
• Staying on the Cutting Edge – How to Find Inspiration Everywhere
AFR Design Challenge Stage Back for the fourth year, the AFR Design Stage promises even more exciting design fun and inspiration. The stakes are high as industry designers Andy Hopper and David Twigger face off in the Wild West Showdown. Watch this fast-paced challenge on Tuesday, March 10 at 1:30pm for fresh ideas and a lively competition! |
LOUNGES
Catersource magazine Lounge
Take a break, regroup or re-energize. Check out dozens of entries from the ICA CATIE Awards and Catersource ACE Awards.
Event Solutions Lounge
The Event Solutions Lounge will be the meeting place for event pros to network and share ideas, as well as meet some of our online contributors and review the finalists and winners of the Event Solutions Spotlight Awards.
VIP Lounge All Access badge holders are invited to the VIP Lounge to take a break, network or gather colleagues for a quick meeting. Take time to refresh with some caffeinated beverages while recharging your mobile device. |