- About/Register
- Schedule
- Education
- Social Functions
- Trade Show
- Hotel
- Sponsors
About/Register
The 2024 NAC Concession & Hospitality EXPO is scheduled for July 16-19 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand. Visit often for information on an evolving Agenda, Sponsorships and Trade Show.
CLICK HERE FOR GENERAL REGISTRATION, TRADE SHOW BOOTHS AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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 program comes together.
The event is an educational conference in its 41th 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 2024 Expo in St. Louis.
Schedule
Check back often as more details are revealed.
| Date | Event | Description | Session Materials | Room |
| Monday, July 15 | | | |
| 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | BOD and Sponsors Dinner | | | Statler - Mezzanine |
| 9:00 PM | NAC Late Night Lounge | | | President's Suite |
| Tuesday, July 16 | | | |
| 9:00 AM -5:00 PM | NAC Registration | | | Private Dining Room - Lobby |
| 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Continental Breakfast | | | Mezzanine Foyer |
| 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Accredited Concession Supplier (ACS) Class Register Here | | | Statler-Mezzanine |
| 9:30 AM - 10:45 PM | Communications & Marketing Committee | | | Aubert-Mezzanine |
| 9:30 AM - 10:45 PM | Membership & Mentorship Committee | | | Parkview-Mezzanine |
| 9:30 AM - 10:45 PM | Education Committee | | | Portland-Mezzanine |
| 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM | Charitable Cause Committee | | | Aubert_Mezzanine |
| 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM | Government Relations Committee | | | Parkview-Mezzanine |
| 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM | International Committee | | | Portland - Mezzaine |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | BOD and Committee Lunch | | | Crystal Foyer 20th Floor, Lobby Access |
| 1:00 PM - 2:45 PM | Executive Committee Meeting | | | Lafayette Boardroom - Mezzanine |
| 3:00 PM- 4:30 PM | BOD Meeting | | | Parkview/Aubert - Mezzanine |
| 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Opening Night Reception & Silent Auction | | | Crystal Ballroom - 20th Floor, Lobby Access |
| 9:00 PM | NAC Late Night Lounge | | | President's Suite |
| Wednesday, July 17 | | | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | NAC Fun Run/Walk Register Here | | | Meet in Lobby |
| 8:00 AM -5:00 PM | NAC Registration | | | Private Dining Room, Lobby |
| 8:30 AM | Continental Breakfast | | | Crystal Foyer-20th Floor, Lobby Access |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Opening General Session - State of the Industry Address | Leaders from various operations and NAC leadership will address the most current happenings in Entertainment Food & Beverage. | | Crystal Ballroom-20th Floor, Lobby Access |
| 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM | General Session 2 - Maximizing Group Sales: Strategies for Success | This session provides an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge strategies and best practices in group sales, emphasizing the unique challenges and resulting opportunities. | | Crystal Ballroom--20th Floor, Lobby Access |
| 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM | Awards Luncheon | We will come together to honor the 2024 Bert Nathan Memorial Award Honoree, and the 2024 Mickey Warner Award Recipient. | | Statler-Mezzaine |
| 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM | General Session 3 - Thinking Outside the Popcorn Box: Maximizing Sales with Merchandise | This session will discuss how to drive increased revenue through innovative merchandising strategies. We will explore creatively expanding product offerings beyond traditional venue snacks to include a variety of appealing merchandise that enhances the patron experience and boost profitability. | | Crystal Ballroom-20th Floor, Lobby Access |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | General Session 4 - Venue Breakout Sessions | | | Crystal Ballroom-20th Floor, Lobby Access |
| 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Wednesday Evening Event - | Tour of Busch Stadium and Dinner at Budweiser Brew House. | | Gather in Lobby |
| 9:00 PM | NAC Late Night Lounge | | | President's Suite |
| Thursday, July 18 | | | |
| 8:00 AM -5:00 PM | NAC Registration | | | Majestic Foyer - Gateway Level |
| 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Exhibitor Set-Up | | | Majestic D-H-Gateway Level |
| 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Continental Breakfast: | | | Majestic A - C-Gateway Level |
| 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | General Session 5 -Enhancing Leadership in Entertainment Venue Management | Heather Morgan, Chief of Staff and Strategy at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and Brett King, Founder and CEO of CineTRAIN, will guide a conversation on cultivating a strong leadership mindset and tactical approaches for improving leadership skills throughout your entertainment venue. | | Majestic A - C-Gateway Level |
| 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | General Session 6 - Town Hall - Open Forum | NAC leadership will once again open the floor to listen to needs of our membership as we continue to evolve. | | Majestic A - C-Gateway Level |
| 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM | Annual Meeting/Luncheon | | | Crystal Ballroom- 20th Floor, Lobby Access |
| 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM | NAC Expo Trade Show | | | Majestic D-H-Gateway Level |
| 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Thursday Evening Event | An Evening at Grant's Farm | | Gather in Lobby |
| 9:00 PM | NAC Late Night Lounge | | | President's Suite |
| Friday, July 19 | | | |
| 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM | Venue Tours | Scheduled to visit:
-CityPark Soccer Stadium
-The Enterprise Center, Home of the St. Louis Blues NHL team.
-Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
| | Gather in Lobby |
| 4:15 PM | Airport Drop Off | | | |
| 5:00 PM | Arrive back at Hotel | | | |
Education
Check back often as more details are revealed.
Wednesday, July 17
(9:00 AM – 10:30 AM) Opening General Session – State of the Industry Address
Leaders from various operations and NAC leadership will address the most current happenings in Entertainment Food & Beverage. Chris Johnson, ECM, ACS, CCM of Classic Cinemas; Rob Lehman, CCM, Santikos Entertainment; and George Raub, IV, ECM of Delaware North will help lead the way
(10:45 AM – 12:00 PM) General Session 2 – Maximizing Group Sales: Strategies for Success
This session provides an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge strategies and best practices in group sales, emphasizing the unique challenges and resulting opportunities. Kim Cook-Sorano of Sky Zone will lead a panel of experts from various entertainment venues including John Malkus from the Marriot St. Louis Grand, James Caldwell from Grant’s Farm and Shawn Baker from Delaware North/Busch Stadium
(2:00 PM – 2:45 PM) General Session 3 – Thinking Outside the Popcorn Box: Maximizing Sales with Merchandise
This session will discuss how to drive increased revenue through innovative merchandising strategies. We will explore creatively expanding product offerings beyond traditional venue snacks to include a variety of appealing merchandise that enhances the patron experience and boost profitability. Tim Farha and Steve Sciortino of AICP will be joined by Jeff Waaland of Golden Link to lead the discussion.
(3:00 PM – 3:45 PM) General Session 4 – Venue Breakout Sessions
Thursday, July 18
(10:00 AM – 10:45 AM) General Session 5 – Enhancing Leadership in Entertainment Venue Management
Heather Morgan
Brett King
Heather Morgan, Chief Content Officer at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and Brett King, Founder and CEO of CineTRAIN, will guide a conversation on cultivating a strong leadership mindset and tactical approaches for improving leadership skills throughout your entertainment venue. Be prepared to engage and share how your company implements these essential practices.
(11:00 AM – 11:45 AM) General Session 6 – Town Hall – Open Forum
NAC leadership will once again open the floor to listen to needs of our membership as we continue to evolve.
Social Functions
Check back often as more details are revealed.
Tuesday, July 16
(6:30 PM – 8:00 PM) Opening Night Reception & Silent Auction
Wednesday, July 17
(7:00 AM – 8:00 AM) NAC Fun Run/Walk
(12:00 PM – 1:30 PM) Awards Luncheon
We will come together to honor the 2024 Bert Nathan Memorial Award Honoree, and the 2024 Mickey Warner Award Recipient.
(6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) Wednesday Evening Event – Busch Stadium Tour and Dinner at Ballpark Village
All attendees with Full Expo Registration will board a bus and tour Busch Stadium. Step up to the plate and experience the magic of baseball history with a tour of Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, nestled in the heart of downtown St. Louis. It has a seating capacity of 44,383, with 3,706 club seats and 61 luxury suites. It replaced Busch Memorial Stadium and occupies a portion of that stadium’s former footprint.
After the tour, we will walk across the street to Ballpark Village for dinner at the Budweiser Brew House.
Thursday, July 18
(6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) Thursday Evening Event – an evening at Grant’s Farm
Since opening to the public in 1954, Grant’s Farm has become a refuge for more than 900 animals both great and small. You can visit and interact with many of them throughout the evening. Historic buildings range from Ulysses S. Grant’s humble log cabin to the Busch family’s “Big House” to the traditional German-style stables and Bauernhof. A variety of food and beverage options will be available for you to enjoy while spending time at Grant’s Farm.
Friday, July 19
(9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) Venue Tours and lunch
Scheduled to visit:
CityPark Soccer Stadium
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
The Enterprise Center, Home of the St. Louis Blues NHL team.
Trade Show
Booths are now available for the 2024 Expo!
The 2024 Trade Show will be held on Thursday, July 18 (1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) in St. Louis, at the the Marriott St. Louis Grand 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!
The booth registration entitles you to receive one complimentary registration to our Accredited Concession Supplier Certification (ACS) Class on Tuesday July 16!
As an added incentive, booth registrations received and paid for by April 30th will receive ONE FREE FULL EXPO REGISTRATION! Special pricing is available for any other booth personnel who wish to attend all the events. The Opening Night Silent Auction and Happy Hour is open to all for additional networking time.
Click on company name to go to their website.
We look forward to seeing your in St. Louis!
Trade Show Hours
Thursday, July 20 (1:30 p.m. – 5:00 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!
Hotel
The 2024 NAC Concession & Hospitality EXPO will be held on July 16-19 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand
Marriott St. Louis Grand
800 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63101, US
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE ROOM.
NAC Expo Single Room Rate: $195.00 / night
Stay at Marriott St. Louis Grand to experience the vibrant, authentic spirit of St. Louis, Missouri. With a prime downtown location near the St. Louis Zoo, City Museum, Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village, and the Gateway Arch, our downtown St. Louis hotel is a National Historic Landmark. It was originally the Statler Hotel, an icon of the St. Louis skyline since the 1900s. Relax in our guest rooms and suites featuring plush bedding, high-speed Wi-Fi and scenic downtown views. Maintain your workout routine in our well-equipped fitness center. Greet the day with breakfast at 8th Street Pantry or our on-site full-service Starbucks®. Delight your palate with contemporary American cuisine and cocktails at our Zenia Bar & Grille restaurant. Our hotel on Washington Ave, St. Louis, offers versatile event space, including the historic Statler and Crystal ballrooms, for your next corporate event or wedding in downtown St. Louis. Fall in love with Missouri at Marriott St. Louis Grand.
Unsolicited 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 St. Louis 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 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.
Sponsors
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.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN EXPO SPONSOR!
For more information on how to become a sponsor contact Chris Dammann at the NAC office, 312.236.3858, cdammann@NAConline.org.
