The 2023 NAC Concession and Hospitality Expo

The 2023 NAC Concession & Hospitality EXPO is scheduled for Memphis, Tennessee and the historic Peabody Hotel. The dates for the event are Tuesday, July 18 through Friday, July 21, 2023. Visit often for information on an evolving Agenda, Sponsorships and Trade Show.

CLICK HERE FOR ON-LINE LINKS TO GENERAL REGISTRATION, TRADE SHOW BOOTHS AND SPONSORSHIPS

DOWNLOAD GENERAL REGISTRATION FLYER

About

The National Association of Concessionaires will bring together the top food and beverage concession leaders in the recreation and leisure-time industry at The Concession and Hospitality Expo. The Expo committee is planning terrific educational sessions, great social functions and exciting events. Check back often as the 2023 program comes together.

The event is an educational conference in its 40th year covering a wide range of concessions and foodservice topics. The business sessions are practical and focused on the concessions industry and provide interaction between all types of operations. In addition, exciting social functions allow for attendees to network in a less formal setting. Your full convention registration fee includes all educational sessions, food functions, social events, venue tours and the trade show.

As part of the Expo, NAC will host its own trade show specifically for the recreation and leisure-time foodservice industry. The trade show will feature companies that provide products and services to all types of recreation, leisure-time and public assembly facilities. For more information on the trade show and how you can participate, click on the Trade Show tab on this page.

Make plans now to attend the 2023 Expo in Memphis.

Check back often as more details are revealed.

Date	Event	Description	Session Materials	Room
Saturday, July 15
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	CCM Class (Register Here)			Hernando Desoto
Sunday, July 16
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	CCM Class			Hernando Desoto
Monday, July 17
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	CCM Class			Hernando Desoto
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM	BOD and Sponsors Dinner			Galaxie
9:00 PM	NAC Late Night Lounge			President's Suite
Tuesday, July 18
9:00 AM -5:00 PM	NAC Registration			Mezzanine
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM	Continental Breakfast			Cockrell
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	CCM Class			Hernando Desoto
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Accredited Concession Supplier (ACS) Class (Register Here)			Brinkley
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Committee Meetings			Kentshire, Auburn, International
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	BOD and Committee Lunch			Jackson
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM	Executive Committee Meeting			Auburn Room
3:00 PM- 4:30 PM	BOD Meeting			Louis XVI
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM	Opening Night Reception & Silent Auction	Click here to donate an item!		Rooftop / Skyway
9:00 PM	NAC Late Night Lounge			President's Suite
Wednesday, July 19
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM	NAC Fun Run/Walk			Meet in Lobby
8:00 AM -5:00 PM	NAC Registration			Mezzanine
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Trade Show Exhibitor Set-Up			Grand Ballroom
8:00 AM	Continental Breakfast			Continental Ballroom
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM	Opening General Session – Kick Off message and Optimizing Alcohol/Mixology	Kurt Moody from Patrick Henry Creative Promotions.	CLICK HERE	Continental Ballroom
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM	General Session -Menu Development and Themes for venue attractions	-Deborah Thompson from Restaurant Management Program at NWCC-Desoto Center. -Dr. Carol A. Silkes from the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at the University of Memphis.	CLICK HERE	Continental Ballroom
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Awards Luncheon	Marianne Abiaad of Royal Corporation, the 2023 Bert Nathan Memorial Award Honoree, and George Raub IV, ECM, of Delaware North, the 2023 Mickey Warner Award Recipient.		Skyway Ballroom
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM	General Session - Venue Breakout Sessions			Continental Ballroom
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM	NAC Expo Trade Show			Grand Ballroom
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM	Fed Ex Forum Event - Dinner and Tour
9:00 PM	NAC Late Night Lounge			President's Suite
Thursday, July 20
8:00 AM -5:00 PM	NAC Registration			Mezzanine
8:00 AM	Continental Breakfast			Continental Ballroom
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM	General Session - Consumer Insights	-Stephanie Halley is the Director of Category Leadership- New Transactions for Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC. -André Moraes is the Head of PepsiCo’s Digital Lab, leading Digital Marketing and Category Management for PepsiCo Foodservice. -Adam Dumey, Global Strategy – Hospitality, Just Walk Out Retail Technology (Amazon).	Halley - CLICK HERE Moraes - CLICK HERE	Continental Ballroom
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM	General Session -Wrap up Session			Continental Ballroom
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM	Annual Meeting/Luncheon			Skyway Ballroom
2:00 - 4:00 PM	NAC Expo Trade Show			Grand Ballroom
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM	On-Site Happy Hour and AutoZone Park Dinner and Tour
9:00 PM	NAC Late Night Lounge			President's Suite
Friday, July 21
8:30 AM - 4:15 PM	Venue Tours			Gather in Lobby
9:15 AM-10:15 AM	The Malco Powerhouse Movie Theater (Breakfast sponsored by Malco Theatres)
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM	Performing Arts/Orpheum Theatre
12:30 PM – 2:15 PM	Civil Rights Museum Box Lunches provided
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM	St. Jude’s Hospital Tour
5:00 PM	Arrive back at Hotel

Check back often as details are revealed.

Wednesday, July 19

(9:00 AM-10:30 AM) – Opening General Session – Kick Off message and Optimizing Alcohol/Mixology
NAC leadership kicks off our 40th annual convention and Kurt Moody, Executive Director of Beverage Operations & Training, Patrick Henry Creative Promotions, will present ideas and best practices for specialty drinks and promotions with an eye toward customization and promotion of your attractions and features. With over twenty years of experience in the Restaurant & Hospitality Industry, Kurt is a subject matter expert in beverage operations and training. During his career, he has held nearly every position within a restaurant’s beverage program, Bartender to Beverage Manager to Corporate Beverage Director. In his current role, he successfully implements new beverage innovation and strategies, while developing beverage leaders throughout the country. Kurt holds certifications across many different disciplines: Court of Master Sommeliers, Cicerone Certification Program, BarSmarts Training Program, Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission, and National Restaurant Association. He is a member of the American Homebrewers Association and US Bartenders Guild.

(10:45 AM – 12:00 PM)- General Session – Menu Development and Themes for venue attractions

Two leading Experts will discuss how to match your menu to your venue to create synergies that reflect the personality of your organization and geographic region to your patrons. Deborah Thompson is a director/instructor/adviser of a Hotel and Restaurant Management Program at NWCC-Desoto Center. After working in and out of the restaurant industry for over 20 years, she returned to school to further her education with hopes of eventually opening a restaurant. During that time she began to teach Culinary Arts as an adjunct faculty and found she has a passion for teaching. She has an Associate of Arts Degree in Hospitality and Resort Management from Northwest Mississippi Community College, and a BA from Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at the University of Memphis. Dr. Carol A. Silkes is an Associate Professor of Hospitality and Resort Management in the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at the University of Memphis. Her industry experience includes the Hyatt Corporation, independent restaurants, and Chef John Folse and Company. Dr. Silkes spent twelve years in South Louisiana exploring Cajun and Creole cuisine. Her experiences include corporate chef, fine dining and catering, product research and development, wholesale food production, production of a weekly radio cooking show, cooking demonstrations and classes for television and live audiences, food styling, and cookbook editing.

(1:30 PM-2:30 PM) – General Session – Venue Breakout Discussions
We will break out into two different groups, Theatre Operators and Stadiums and Arenas, for a town-hall style discussion.

Thursday, July 20

(9:00 AM-11:00 AM) – General Session – Consumer Insights
Category Management Experts from leading consumer product manufacturers will provide intelligence on buying behavior in the current environment and insight on the trends shaping tomorrow. Scheduled to appear:

Stephanie Halley is the Director of Category Leadership- New Transactions for Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC. She has worked for the company for the past 9 years in category leadership and category strategy. Prior to her current role, Stephanie led Category Strategy insights activation nationally and built and deployed a legacy omnichannel selling platform: Accelerate Impulse Moments and Store of the Future. Prior to Mars Wrigley, Stephanie worked at General Mills and Kellogg Company in sales and category leadership roles across traditional retail channels.

André Moraes is the Head of PepsiCo’s Digital Lab, leading Digital Marketing and Category Management for PepsiCo Foodservice. The Digital Lab’s focus is on strengthening PepsiCo Foodservice’s partners’ online ordering and digital consumer experiences today, as well as unlocking innovationand advantages enabling future growth. André is also an Adjunct Professor of Marketing Analytics at NYU, and prior to joining PepsiCo led marketing intelligence and consumer insights at Google within the Food & Beverage and B2B Technology verticals, and was a member of Google’s Tech Council.

Adam Dumey, Global Strategy – Hospitality, Just Walk Out Retail Technology (Amazon) is a seasoned, customer-obsessed technology executive with 20 plus years of leadership experience focused on digital transformation across both public sector and commercial sectors. With a robust background in global strategic scope, Dumey has consistently led teams and spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives to optimize customer experiences and to drive business growth. Currently, Dumey is driving adoption of Amazon’s newest retail technology – Just Walk Out and Amazon One – within the hospitality industry. In this role, Mr. Dumey is working to craft a higher value customer experience for guests and visitors.

(11:30-12:15) – General Session – Wrap-Up
NAC leadership will review what we have learned in Memphis and during the last year as we go home and plot a course for our individual organizations and how our Trade Association fits into that plan.

Check back often as details are revealed.

Tuesday, July 18

(6:30 PM-8:00 PM) – Opening Night Reception & Joe Chabot Memorial Silent Auction

Wednesday, July 19

(7:00 AM-8:00 AM) – Fun Run/Walk

(12:00 – 1:00) – NAC Awards Luncheon
Join us for a delicious lunch as we honor and celebrate Marianne Abiaad of Royal Corporation, the 2023 Bert Nathan Memorial Award Honoree, and George Raub IV, ECM, of Delaware North, the 2023 Mickey Warner Award Recipient.

(6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) – Fed Ex Forum Event featuring hors d’oeuvres, bar, dinner and tours.
The FedExForum has come to be known as one of the premier arenas in the NBA and in North America. It is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team, and in the time since FedExForum opened, the arena has presented 10 NBA playoff series, including the 2013 NBA Western Conference Finals, and hosted major basketball tournaments such as the 2009, 2014 and 2017 NCAA Regional Men’s Basketball Tournaments, the 2014 and 2019 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournaments and the 2010 NCAA South Regional Women’s Division I Basketball Tournament.

Thursday, July 20

(6:00 PM-9:00 PM) – Peabody rooftop happy hour followed by tour of AutoZone Park and dinner
AutoZone Park is a Minor League Baseball stadium located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, and is home to the Memphis Redbirds of the International League and Memphis 901 FC of the USL Championship. The Redbirds are the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) St. Louis Cardinals. In 2009, the stadium was named Minor League Ballpark of the Year by Baseball America.

Friday, July 21

(8:30 AM – 5:00 PM) Venue Tours
We will load a bus and tour several attractions around Memphis. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided along the way. We will make a stop at the airport for those catching a flight and be back at the Hotel by 5:00 PM.

9:15-10:15 am – The Powerhouse/Movie Theater (Breakfast sponsored by Malco Theatres)

11:00 am – 11:45 am Tour the Performing Arts/Orpheum Theatre

12:30 – 2:15 pm National Civil Rights Museum (Box Lunches provided)

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm Tour St. Jude’s Hospital

4:15 pm Arrive at the Memphis International Airport

5:00 pm Arrive at Peabody Hotel

Booths are now available for the 2023 Expo!

The 2023 Trade Show will be held on Wednesday, July 19 (2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and Thursday, July 20 (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) in Memphis, Tennessee at the historic Peabody Hotel and is open to full and tabletop displays.

Trade Show booths are now available, and we look forward to having your company exhibit at our show. Here is a link to an on-line registration portal for your convenience. You can also simply email cdammann@naconline.org.

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR BOOTH TODAY!

DOWNLOAD TRADE SHOW FLYER

The booth registration entitles you to receive one complimentary registration to our Accredited Concession Supplier Certification (ACS) Class on Tuesday July 18!

As an added incentive, booth registrations received and paid for by February, 28 will receive ONE FREE FULL EXPO REGISTRATION! Special pricing is available for any other booth personnel who wish to attend all the events. The Joe Chabot Opening Night Silent Auction and Happy Hour is open to all for additional networking time.

We look forward to seeing your in Memphis!

Trade Show Hours
Wednesday, July 19 (2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Thursday, July 20 (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

The trade show will feature products and services such as:
soft drinks • beer • iced tea • nachos • menu boards • pizza • hot dogs • soft pretzels • peanuts • pressure fryers • cotton candy • sno kones • frozen yogurt • ice cream • churros • egg rolls • condiment dispensers • mobile food carts • food warmers • holding ovens • candy • grills • BBQ• popcorn poppers • concession stands • containers & trays • architectural planning & concession design• souvenir cups/mugs • beverage dispensers • paper products • popcorn toppings & oils • point-of-sale equipment and MORE!

Don’t miss the chance to put your company in front of the leading buyers in the industry!

The 2023 NAC Concession & Hospitality EXPO is scheduled for Memphis, Tennessee and the historic Peabody Hotel.

THE PEABODY MEMPHIS
149 Union Avenue, Memphis TN 38103

Rate: $189.00/night

CLICK HERE FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS

OR

CALL: 800-732-2639. Ask for the National Association of Concessionaires Expo

With a style and tradition befitting one of Memphis’ grandest, most legendary hotels, The Peabody Memphis offers a magnificent bridge between the “Blues City’s” celebrated past and cosmopolitan present.

Known as the “South’s Grand Hotel,” The Peabody Memphis is legendary for its charm, elegance, gracious hospitality, and rich history. This Memphis icon, opened in 1869, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is world-famous for its five resident Mallard ducks, who march daily through the lobby at 11am and 5pm.

When you’re ready to experience Memphis’ most unique and distinctive hotel, The Peabody is waiting.

Unsolicited Memphis Room Phone Call Scam
NAC members and exhibitors may receive unsolicited phone calls from companies stating that they can provide you cheaper rooms than we can in Memphis for The Concession and Hospitality Expo. Please be aware that these individuals and companies are known to scam clients by getting credit card numbers and pertinent information that can be used in nefarious ways. You are receiving the most affordable rate at The Peabody while also supporting your association at NAC. DO NOT PROVIDE THESE CALLERS ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION AND PLEASE REPORT THEM TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THEM A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER.

The Concession and Hospitality Expo provides your company with opportunities to put your products, services and brand in front of buyers for all types of recreation and leisure-time food and beverage operations. Sponsorships are available at every level and extend well past the convention itself, and benefits for each level are detailed below. Many of our sponsors also choose to extend their opportunities by registering for the full NAC convention, allowing them access to buyers at all educational sessions and social functions.

For more information on how to become a sponsor contact Chris Dammann at the NAC office, 312.236.3858, cdammann@NAConline.org.

or

CLICK HERE FOR ON-LINE LINK

DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP FLYER

Level:	Platinum	Gold Plus	Gold	Silver	Bronze
	$10,000	$8,000	$5,000	$2,500	$1,000
Benefits:
2 Complimentary 8×10 trade show booths valued at $3,000 Or 1 booth and two additional Registrations	X
Complimentary Full EXPO Registration valued at $595.	X	X
Thank you announcement and invitation to address attendees at event.	X	X
Complimentary 8×10 trade show booth valued at $1,500.		X
Complimentary Full Page Ad in Expo Program valued at $350.	X	X	X
Invitation for two to invitation-only board/ sponsor VIP party on Monday, July 17th.	X	X	X
Seated on dais and recognized as major sponsor at NAC Membership Luncheon on Thursday, July 20th.	X	X	X
Logo recognition and major prominence on every Expo page on the NAC web site throughout the year.	X	X	X	X
Recognition in all pre-Expo marketing, both in print and via email.	X	X	X	X	X
Company name and logo noted in Expo program.	X	X	X	X	X
Recognition in pre- and post-Expo press releases.	X	X	X	X	X
Signage at event.	X	X	X	X	X