Bar & Restaurant Expo
Bar & Restaurant Expo is an annual Las Vegas trade show for U.S. bar and restaurant professionals, operated by Questex LLC since 1986. It generated 12,378 attendees in 2024 and earns revenue from tiered attendee passes, exhibitor booth sales, and sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Bar & Restaurant Expo does
Bar & Restaurant Expo is an annual in-person trade show for the U.S. bar and restaurant industry, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall and operated by Questex LLC, a private events and media company. Originally founded in 1986 as the Nightclub & Bar Show and rebranded in June 2021, the expo is now in its 40th year and recorded 12,378 attendees in 2024, with 66% identified as owners, managers, GMs, or executives, and 160+ registered media outlets. The event features multiple specialized zones (The Bar, Restaurant Zone, Chef's Stage, Japanese Food & Beverage Showcase), role-based masterclasses, conference sessions, workshops, keynote speakers, and competitions in partnership with associations such as USBG and IFMA.
The company generates revenue through three primary streams: tiered attendee registration (VIP Pass $899, Conference Pass $599, Expo Pass $299, with a 25% group discount for 5+ registrants), exhibitor booth sales (standard 10'x10' spaces plus upgrades and sponsorships), and sponsorship/advertising (masterclass, pavilion, activation, opening-night-party, and digital/app sponsorships). Go-to-market is event-driven: the expo acquires attendees through Questex's hospitality media brands (Bar & Restaurant News, Vibe, World Tea News), social media, email, press releases, and association partnerships, while exhibitor acquisition is handled by a dedicated sales team segmented across product categories including Beer/Wine/Spirits, Food, Equipment, Technology, Operations, Entertainment, and Professional Services.
Bar & Restaurant Expo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bar & Restaurant Expo
- Legal name
- Questex LLC
- Website
- https://barandrestaurantexpo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bar & Restaurant Expo is an annual Las Vegas trade show for U.S. bar and restaurant professionals, operated by Questex LLC since 1986. It generated 12,378 attendees in 2024 and earns revenue from tiered attendee passes, exhibitor booth sales, and sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bar & Restaurant Expo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hospitality Trade Shows
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food, Beverage & Hospitality Trade Shows Organizers (THAHABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA), Hotel & Resort Convention Venues (Convention Hotels) (THAHAAAC)
Keywords
Where Bar & Restaurant Expo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Bar & Restaurant Expo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Attendee Registration Fees: Revenue generated from attendee passes including VIP Pass ($899), Conference Pass ($599), and Expo Pass ($299). Additional revenue from group discounts and add-on passes.
- Exhibitor Booth Sales: Revenue from exhibitors purchasing booth space at the expo. Standard 10'x10' booth spaces include back drape, side rails, and booth identification sign. Additional fees for upgraded exhibit spaces and sponsorships.
- Sponsorship & Advertising: Various sponsorship tiers including masterclass sponsorship, pavilion sponsorship, activation sponsorship, and general event sponsorship. Also includes digital advertising and app sponsorship opportunities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | VIP Pass - All Access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Conference Pass |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Expo Pass |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Group Discount |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Bar & Restaurant Expo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bar & Restaurant Expo is an annual in-person trade show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center that brings together hospitality industry professionals (bar and restaurant owners, operators, managers, bartenders, and chefs) with suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers of food, beverage, equipment, and technology. The multi-day event features an exhibitor expo hall, educational masterclasses and conference sessions, hands-on demonstrations, competitions, and networking events. Revenue is generated through attendee registration passes, exhibitor booth space sales, and sponsorship/advertising packages.
Product overview
Bar & Restaurant Expo is an annual hospitality industry trade show operated by Questex, featuring a multi-day event with exhibitor expo halls, role-based masterclasses, conference sessions across multiple tracks (Food & Beverage, Guest Experience, Marketing, Operations, People & Staffing), hands-on workshops, live culinary demonstrations at The Chef's Stage and The Bar, specialized pavilions including Japanese Food & Beverage Showcase, keynotes with industry leaders, networking parties, and VIP events. The event offers tiered passes (VIP $899, Conference $599, Expo $299) and exhibitor/sponsorship opportunities for suppliers targeting bar and restaurant professionals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bar & Restaurant Expo (Annual Trade Show) Annual multi-day in-person hospitality industry trade show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, featuring an exhibitor expo hall, educational masterclasses, conference sessions, live demonstrations, competitions, and networking events for bar and restaurant owners, operators, managers, bartenders, chefs, and suppliers.
- Exhibitor Booth Space 10'x10' standard exhibit space at the Bar & Restaurant Expo for suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers to showcase products to qualified hospitality buyers. Includes back drape, side dividers, booth sign, 4 complimentary exhibitor badges, 11 exhibition hours, and access to sponsorship opportunities.
- Sponsorship & Advertising Custom sponsorship and advertising packages for the Bar & Restaurant Expo, including pavilion sponsorships, masterclass positioning, opening night party sponsorships, on-floor activations, online and mobile app sponsorships, and digital advertising opportunities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 12,378 record attendance in 2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Bar & Restaurant Expo
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Bar & Restaurant Expo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Bar & Restaurant Expo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- SP-RING USAminorPartnership for the Japanese Food & Beverage Showcase at the expo, bringing authentic Japanese products and culinary demonstrations to the event.
- USBG - United States Bartenders' GuildcoreUSBG partners with Bar & Restaurant Expo to host the Shake It Up Competition at the event. The competition showcases bartender skills and provides a platform for industry recognition.
- Johnson & Wales UniversityminorEducational partnership providing fellowship grants to Johnson & Wales University hospitality students ($1,250-$2,000) and promoting careers in hospitality industry.
- IFMA - The Food Away from Home AssociationcoreIFMA partners with Bar & Restaurant Expo to present the IFMA Food Away From Home Association Pavilion, debuting in 2025. Charlie McConnell, IFMA VP of Industry Insights, Education, and Research speaks at the expo.
- MiddlebycoreMiddleby is the Official Kitchen Equipment Sponsor of the Restaurant Zone at Bar & Restaurant Expo. They engage with customers at every level and present equipment solutions to the industry.
- Hoshizaki AmericaminorSponsor of The Bar activation featuring Bad Birdy presentation on ice as a cocktail ingredient, part of the expo floor experiential activations.
- Breville USAminorFirst-time exhibitor at Bar & Restaurant Expo showcasing premium beverage equipment. Reported high engagement with decision-making attendees.
- Stonewall Kitchen Family of BrandsminorExhibitor at the expo representing national distributor interests. Reported high attendee engagement and valuable distributor connections.
- Quest Zero InitiativeminorQuestex's sustainability initiative committing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Bar & Restaurant Expo participates by reducing event footprint and providing sustainable event tips.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bar & Restaurant Expo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ProWein: Leading international wine and spirits trade fair. Broader and more global incumbent in beverage trade shows, competing for international brand exhibitor attention that might otherwise consider Bar & Restaurant Expo.
- drinktec (Beviale): Major global trade fair for the beverage industry held in Munich. Broad incumbent serving beverage and liquid-food suppliers, competing for equipment and beverage exhibitor marketing dollars.
Direct peers
- Fancy Food Show (Winter & Summer Fancy Food Shows): Specialty Food Association's biannual trade shows for specialty food brands and buyers. Competes for food exhibitor marketing budgets and overlaps with Bar & Restaurant Expo's restaurant operator audience.
- Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America: Premier US craft beer industry trade show and conference. Competes for beer exhibitor spend and bar/restaurant operator attendees interested in beverage programming.
- Coffee Fest: Specialty coffee, tea, and beverage trade show with similar annual event structure and exhibitor business model. Competes for beverage exhibitor sponsorships and overlapping hospitality operator attendees.
- National Restaurant Association Show (NRA Show): Largest annual US restaurant industry trade show, also held in a major US city, targeting the same exhibitor-and-operator ecosystem as Bar & Restaurant Expo. Direct head-to-head competition for exhibitor booth dollars and attendee registration.
- Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Annual Convention: Annual US convention for wine and spirits wholesalers and suppliers. Competes for alcohol beverage brand exhibitor budgets targeting on-premise hospitality buyers.
- International Pizza Expo & Conference: Annual trade show for the pizza and broader restaurant industry. Competitor for food and beverage exhibitors and overlapping restaurant operator attendees within Bar & Restaurant Expo's core market.
Emerging players
- FSTEC (Foodservice Technology Conference): Annual technology-focused conference for restaurant operators and technology vendors. Competes for restaurant technology exhibitors and overlaps with Bar & Restaurant Expo's technology/innovation zone attendees.
Regional players
- HOSTEX (UK Hospitality & Trade Exhibition): UK-based hospitality trade exhibition serving operators and suppliers in the British market. Comparable trade show format but operates in a different geography from Bar & Restaurant Expo's US focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bar & Restaurant Expo social profiles
Digital presenceBar & Restaurant Expo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bar & Restaurant Expo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Bar & Restaurant Expo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bar & Restaurant Expo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bar & Restaurant Expo
What does Bar & Restaurant Expo do?
Bar & Restaurant Expo is an annual in-person trade show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center that brings together hospitality industry professionals (bar and restaurant owners, operators, managers, bartenders, and chefs) with suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers of food, beverage, equipment, and technology. The multi-day event features an exhibitor expo hall, educational masterclasses and conference sessions, hands-on demonstrations, competitions, and networking events. Revenue is generated through attendee registration passes, exhibitor booth space sales, and sponsorship/advertising packages.
Is Bar & Restaurant Expo a public or private company?
Bar & Restaurant Expo is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Bar & Restaurant Expo founded?
Bar & Restaurant Expo was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bar & Restaurant Expo based?
Bar & Restaurant Expo is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bar & Restaurant Expo make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Attendee Registration Fees are the primary driver. The others are exhibitor Booth Sales and sponsorship & Advertising.
Who are Bar & Restaurant Expo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ProWein and drinktec (Beviale). Direct peers are Fancy Food Show (Winter & Summer Fancy Food Shows), Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America, Coffee Fest, National Restaurant Association Show (NRA Show), Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Annual Convention and International Pizza Expo & Conference. FSTEC (Foodservice Technology Conference) is listed as an emerging player. HOSTEX (UK Hospitality & Trade Exhibition) is listed as a regional player.
Does Bar & Restaurant Expo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bar & Restaurant Expo.
What industry is Bar & Restaurant Expo in?
Bar & Restaurant Expo's product category is Hospitality Trade Shows. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHABAI, Food, Beverage & Hospitality Trade Shows Organizers, with a secondary code of MPAGAFAA, General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows. Its NAICS code is 56192 and its SIC code is 7900.