SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
12:00 p.m. Tee times begin at Kaluhyat and Shenendoah courses (separate registration required)
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception | CHEROKEE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
8:00 a.m. Registration opens
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast | NAVAJO
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. State of the Restaurant Industry & Economic Outlook | NAVAJO
Restaurant operators face mounting challenges as rising costs and more cautious consumers put pressure on profitability. Meanwhile, the broader economy and consumer spending reflect a mix of resilience and uncertainty. This session delivers a data-driven analysis of current trends shaping the restaurant and foodservice industry and explores what lies ahead for the rest of 2026 and 2027—helping operators anticipate opportunities and prepare for potential risks in a rapidly evolving market.
Presented by Chad Moutray, Ph.D., CBE, Senior Vice President, Industry Research & Knowledge, and Chief Economist
10:20 – 11:05 a.m. AI Without the BS: Understand Your Business, Ask Better Questions, and Make Better Decisions
AI is moving fast, and hospitality leaders are being told they need to move just as quickly. But knowing what’s possible isn’t the same as knowing what makes sense for your business.
Whether you’re just getting started or already experimenting with new tools and technologies, this practical session will cut through the hype and give you a clearer way to think about AI. We’ll look at what AI can and can’t do, where it is already useful in hospitality, where the human touch still matters most, and why the best place to start is often with your own business processes rather than a new piece of technology.
You’ll learn how to identify problems and opportunities worth exploring, ask better questions of your team and technology partners, evaluate potential solutions, and make more informed decisions about where AI belongs in your business. No technical background required. You’ll gain a practical framework for understanding AI’s capabilities, asking better questions, evaluating its fit, and making decisions that serve your business, team, and guests.
Presented by Elaine Chon-Baker, Founder & Managing Director of Mokja Ventures and Entrepreneur in Residence at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
11:10 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee break
11:35 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Hospitality Exchange Roundtables
One of the most valuable resources in hospitality is the collective experience of your peers.
During this session, attendees will choose from a variety of facilitated roundtable discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities facing today’s hospitality operators. Each table will explore a different topic—from hiring and leadership to technology, marketing, profitability, and guest experience—giving participants the opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and learn practical strategies from fellow restaurateurs, hoteliers, and industry experts.
Rather than a traditional presentation, these conversations are designed to encourage meaningful dialogue, real-world problem solving, and the exchange of ideas you can take back to your business.
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Compliance & Labor Law Review, Presented by Scott Rogoff, Partner, Barclay Damon
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. LUNCH | Navajo
5:00 p.m. NYSRA Night Out | Details Coming Soon!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27
9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. NYSRA Board Meeting
