Day two of the National Restaurant Association’s NRA Show 2016 dawned bright and beautiful in Chicago! Restaurateurs and thought leaders returned to McCormick Place to chat everything related to service, talent retention, and technology.
Great afternoon in #Chicago! Join us on our patio after the #NRAShow – we open at 4PM! pic.twitter.com/5DJTtCEfGu
— The Betty (@thebettychicago) May 22, 2016
The food continued to be a highlight for many attendees.
Well, of course this exists. #nrashow pic.twitter.com/XxCFow5A8j
— Bret Thorn (@FoodWriterDiary) May 22, 2016
Get your boozy and sweet tooth fix @FremontChicago @BARatNRA #RumfettiPushPops #NRAShow pic.twitter.com/qLlCPN9gaw
— Amanda ???? (@mandyjoCHICAGO) May 22, 2016
Never let it be said we're only eating the chocolate at the show! #NRAShow pic.twitter.com/WrnhpX4TPL
— The Food Channel (@FoodChannel) May 22, 2016
At the #NRAShow Lets start healthy: I love all of these ingredients! #food #foodie @NRAShow #soup pic.twitter.com/GFd086O4OI
— Patti Honacki (@AmericasTVHost) May 22, 2016
Freshly baked cookies in South Hall courtesy of @christiecookie! #NRAShow #chicago pic.twitter.com/MBBlgfdE0a
— Convenience Store News. (@CStoreNews_) May 22, 2016
A favourite quote came courtesy of Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Her words echoed the pride that many attendees feel about the industry in which they work.
Top quote of #NRAShow: "When you find this industry, you never want to leave." @dawnsweeney14 pic.twitter.com/OMgSGQHTAN
— Fourth US (Powering HotSchedules) (@HotSchedules) May 22, 2016
"When you find this industry, you never want to leave." @dawnsweeney14 #NRAShow #HotSchedules
— Mary Kay Hyde (@MaryKayHyde) May 22, 2016
Robots were still a big hit on the second day. Conference-goers were treated to demos of Middleby Corporation robots using a fryer to make French fries.
Robots making your fries? It's happening on the #NRAShow Floor! @middlebycooking's innovative machine is showing off pic.twitter.com/Q1fq3lhkVm
— National Restaurant Association Show (@NatlRestShow) May 22, 2016
Other talks focused on attracting millennials, tech adoption, and the importance of transparency in maintaining relationships with guests.
Transparency does help increase trust. Food companies are looked at heavily by consumers now, restaurants coming @foodintegrity #NRAShow
— Kim Kirchherr, MS, RD, CAE (@KimKirchherr) May 22, 2016
Millennials have different needs and we’re going to need to stay on top of that. @redrobinburgers #Signature16
— National Restaurant Association Show (@NatlRestShow) May 22, 2016
42% of independent operators say tech use in their restaurant is lagging. #NRAShow
— Laura Michaels (@FSNLauraM) May 22, 2016
Dahlia El Gazzar, who spoke on Saturday about AI-based mobile apps, continued the discussion about mobile yesterday.
.@DahliaElGazzar is showing "Apps that Rock in 2016". #NRAShow pic.twitter.com/JpnnI7BYWL
— Tess Vismale, CMP, DES (@tessvis) May 22, 2016
Strong interest in e-learning mobile tech at #NRAShow pic.twitter.com/EtHXBucTxN
— Tim Tang (@TimTang4Retail) May 22, 2016
A talk on gamification, delivered by Lisa Eberhart, a registered dietitian at NC State University, highlighted how it can be used to engage both team members and guests, as well as promote healthy eating choices.
Great session on #gamification to promote #health and #wellness @NCState with high student engagement #NRAShow
— Jason Stemm (@NYCubsFan) May 22, 2016
#gamification #fun #effective #NRAShow pic.twitter.com/MmdAppgxnQ
— Kim Kirchherr, MS, RD, CAE (@KimKirchherr) May 22, 2016
Gamification offers connection not coercion. #NRAShow
— Kim Kirchherr, MS, RD, CAE (@KimKirchherr) May 22, 2016
Make health & wellness fun & people will do it. (I've been trying to get people to see & get that forever!) #NRAShow
— Kim Kirchherr, MS, RD, CAE (@KimKirchherr) May 22, 2016
What talks or events have resonated most with you at NRA Show 2016? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @Benbria!
