DISCOVER NEW PRODUCTS AND IDEAS
All conference packages included 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 was also packed with interactive demo experiences, so attendees could explore upcoming trends and leave with fresh ideas to truly differentiate and stay ahead of your competition.
CONTESTS
DICED CULINARY COMPETITION Armed with a mystery basket of ingredients, six creative and highly skilled chef teams will faced off in a culinary competition not to be missed! Assigned a specific dish, each team had 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 |
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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 included even more exciting design fun and inspiration. The stakes were high as industry designers Andy Hopper and David Twigger face off in the Wild West Showdown.
LOUNGES
Catersource 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.