LAS VEGAS – The Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 continued its momentum on Tuesday, March 25, marking a powerful second day of the industry’s biggest hospitality event. The day featured the official opening of the expo floor, where more than 500 exhibitors greeted an eager crowd of bar and restaurant owners and operators.
Red Carpet and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Attendees packed the expo floor following a high-energy red carpet event and special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Leading the celebration were Olympic gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall and Paralympic gold medalist Hunter Woodhall. They joined Bar & Restaurant Group Vice President Tim McLucas to kick off the day’s festivities at the Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025.
A lineup of celebrities and culinary icons also walked the red carpet. These included celebrity mixologist Mia Mastroianni, actor Matthew Postlethwaite, and chef Brian Duffy. Phil Wills, co-founder of Spirits in Motion, was also in attendance.
During the ceremony, McLucas awarded $2,000 fellowship grants to Lea Dalton and Grace Miles, students at Johnson & Wales University pursuing careers in the beverage and culinary fields.
Keynote Address by Will Guidara
Before the ribbon was cut, attendees gathered for the day’s industry keynote session. The speaker was Will Guidara, a renowned restaurateur, author, and co-producer of FX’s The Bear.
Guidara discussed key insights from his bestselling book, “Unreasonable Hospitality.” He shared strategies on building strong team culture, enhancing the guest experience, and scaling hospitality operations successfully. His insights were particularly relevant to the attendees of the Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025.
Industry Awards Recognize Excellence
Several prestigious awards were presented during the day. Highlights included the Industry Excellence Awards, the Industry Impact Award, and the second annual Supplier Awards. These honors celebrated professionals and brands that are raising the bar in the hospitality space, as showcased at Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025.
New Activations and Sponsorships Debut on the Expo Floor
Once open, the expo floor impressed attendees with brand-new activations and sponsorships. A key highlight was the debut of IFMA (The Food Away From Home Association). IFMA brought hands-on innovation showcases, tastings, and collaborative sessions led by experts in the food and beverage industry, as part of their participation in Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025.
New additions this year also included the Pizza and Fry Zone, which featured creative fry dishes and demos to help businesses turn a popular side into a menu moneymaker. The Cocktail Clubhouse wowed guests with the latest trends in spirits, liqueurs, and cocktail presentations.
At the center of the expo, sponsor Alto-Shaam launched its Vector multi-cook oven, a standout innovation built to streamline kitchen operations at the Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025.
Day Three Preview and Closing Highlights
The final day of Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 kicks off tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. It will feature more workshops, live food demonstrations, additional award ceremonies, and a continued focus on innovation and networking. The expo floor reopens at 12:00 p.m. for attendees to explore even more.
Learn More About Bar & Restaurant Expo
For the complete event schedule and exhibitor listings, visit the official Bar & Restaurant Expo website for all the details on Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 Just Now News.
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