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. Your Next AI Investment Isn’t AI: How to design a hospitality technology ecosystem that powers automation, AI, and better decisions. | NAVAJO
AI is rapidly becoming the most talked-about topic in hospitality, but most businesses are asking the wrong question. Before evaluating AI tools, operators should first ask whether their technology ecosystem is capable of supporting them.
This session explores what it actually means to build an AI-ready hospitality technology stack: from clean data and system integration to governance, automation, and operational design. Attendees will learn why disconnected systems and inconsistent data prevent AI from delivering meaningful value, and leave with a practical framework for evaluating their current technology landscape, identifying foundational gaps, and making smarter technology decisions that prepare their organizations for the future.
Rather than focusing on the latest AI products, this session focuses on building the infrastructure that allows any future AI investment to succeed.
Presented by Emma Blecker, Founder & Principal, Make it Make Sense Consulting
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
