The education program for New England Restaurant & Bar Show 2026 features two interactive areas on the show floor – Culinary Stage and Ed-Quarters. The location is noted under each session title. All sessions over the two-day event are included with attendee registration.

Please note that the program is sorted by day. Select the day(s) of interest below to see all programming available for that day.

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10:30 AM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    Join MRA Legal Center Partners from Rudolph Friedmann, LLC and McDermott, Quilty, Miller & Hanley, LLP for a focused and practical deep dive into the regulatory landscape shaping the Massachusetts res …
11:00 AM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
11:30 AM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    As technology and AI redefine the back-of-house, the heart of the 2026 Experience Economy is defined by a focus on human connection. This session explores the critical shift from transactional efficie …
12:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
12:30 PM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    The workforce has already changed. The real question is whether your leadership has kept up. Today’s hospitality leaders are running teams that span generations, cultures, lived experiences, and expec …
1:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
1:30 PM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    What separates good restaurants from great ones often happens behind the menu—inside the numbers that tell the real story of performance. Patrick Renna, CFO of Proof of the Pudding, breaks down how re …
2:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
2:30 PM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    Today’s most successful restaurants don’t rely on great food alone—they build demand through smart events, compelling marketing, strategic social media, and increasingly, AI-powered tools. Explore how …
3:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
3:30 PM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept—it’s already influencing how independent restaurants operate, market, and protect margins. Yet for many operators, AI still feels intimidating or …
4:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    The beverage world is no longer just about "spirits vs. sodas." Today’s guests are looking for wellness, theatre, and radical personalization. In this fast-paced seminar, we dive into the core shifts …
10:30 AM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    Entering restaurant ownership—and knowing when and how to exit—are two of the most critical and complex decisions an independent operator will ever make. Whether you are considering buying your first …
11:00 AM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
11:30 AM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    Join Gardy Desrouleaux, Managing Partner and Owner of Craft Food Halls as he details on how choosing the right location has always been one of the most important decisions in restaurant development. B …
12:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
12:30 PM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    What does it take to successfully transition from a Hall of Fame career to building a thriving business brand? In this must-see keynote session, the three New England sports legends of David Ortiz, Ty …
1:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
1:30 PM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    Today’s restaurant operators are navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment—one that directly impacts profitability, staffing, and long-term sustainability. In this timely session, Sean …
2:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The chef is busy cooking up something delicious.
2:30 PM
  1. Ed-Quarters
    Women are reshaping the alcohol business—launching bold brands, challenging long-standing norms, and carving out space in an industry historically dominated by men. Hear directly from trailblazing wom …
3:00 PM
  1. Culinary Stage
    Stay tuned. The mixologist is busy concocting something amazing.