Top 10 Restaurant Conferences in the South in Spring 2026
16 Restaurant conferences take place in the South in Spring in 2026.
Florida tops the cut with 3, with Tennessee at 3 and Texas at 2.
Ranked list
10 conferences
1
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
With 500–1k industry professionals on the floor, ALIS CALA sits firmly as a solid mid-tier show across the Restaurant space. Ticket pricing at $$$ points to a buyer-rich attendee base, and our team places it among Silver events drawing on multi-cycle exhibitor feedback and verified attendee role data. If you're selling into the Restaurant market, the show merits inclusion in your annual conference calendar.
2
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Mar 3–3, 2026·Gatlinburg, TN·1k–2k attendees·$ ticket
Our take
Based on 1k–2k annual attendees, FoodCentric Experience East Tennessee ranks solidly as a reliable conference within the Restaurant sector. Entry at $ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, which is why Orbital rates it at Silver drawing on multi-cycle exhibitor feedback and verified attendee role data. Operators building pipeline in the Restaurant category, this event deserves a line item in your event budget.
3
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Mar 31–Apr 1, 2026·Richmond, VA·2k–5k attendees·$ ticket
Our take
Considering 2k–5k registered participants, Performance Foodservice Events stands as a Silver-rated gathering for the Restaurant vertical. Registration at $ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, leading Orbital to rate it as a Silver event using a framework weighted toward decision-maker access and verified exhibitor ROI. For teams targeting the Restaurant space, this gathering merits inclusion in your annual conference calendar.
4
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
With 1k–2k industry professionals on the floor, PFS Nashville Foodcentric sits firmly as a solid mid-tier show across the Restaurant space. Ticket pricing at $ signals a serious operator audience, and our team places it among Silver events informed by verified attendance composition, post-show exhibitor outcomes, and editorial assessment. For teams targeting the Restaurant category, this gathering should be on your shortlist.
5
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Ben E. Keith SA Food Show has cemented its place as a niche event in the Restaurant industry. Attendance pricing of $ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, and the Orbital team rates it in the specialist tier informed by verified attendance composition, post-show exhibitor outcomes, and editorial assessment. Exhibitors focused on the Restaurant industry, this event belongs on any serious exhibitor's planning list.
6
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Based on <500 annual attendees, BITAC Operations ranks solidly as an entry-level conference within the Restaurant sector. Entry at $$$ points to a buyer-rich attendee base, which is why Orbital rates it at Bronze informed by verified attendance composition, post-show exhibitor outcomes, and editorial assessment. Exhibitors focused on the Restaurant vertical, the show should be on your shortlist.
7
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Mar 3–5, 2026·Louisville, KY·<500 attendees·$$$$ ticket
Our take
Considering <500 registered participants, DISCUS Annual Conference stands as a Bronze-rated gathering for the Restaurant vertical. Registration at $$$$ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, leading Orbital to rate it as a Bronze event drawing on multi-cycle exhibitor feedback and verified attendee role data. Operators building pipeline in the Restaurant market, this conference merits inclusion in your annual conference calendar.
8
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Apr 16–19, 2026·Miramar Beach, FL·<500 attendees·$$ ticket
Our take
Based on <500 annual attendees, FBEC ranks solidly as an entry-level conference within the Restaurant sector. Entry at $$ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, which is why Orbital rates it at Bronze drawing on multi-cycle exhibitor feedback and verified attendee role data. Operators building pipeline in the Restaurant category, this event deserves a line item in your event budget.
9
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Gordon Food Service Atlanta Show ranks solidly as an entry-level conference within the Restaurant sector. Entry at $ signals a serious operator audience, which is why Orbital rates it at Bronze based on a combination of attendee quality, exhibitor ROI data, and industry relevance. Sales teams working the Restaurant market, this conference merits inclusion in your annual conference calendar.
10
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
May 12–13, 2026·Washington, DC·500–1k attendees·$ ticket
Our take
With 500–1k industry professionals on the floor, Hotels on the Hill sits firmly as an accessible show across the Restaurant space. Ticket pricing at $ points to a buyer-rich attendee base, and our team places it among Bronze events using a framework weighted toward decision-maker access and verified exhibitor ROI. Operators building pipeline in the Restaurant space, this conference is worth a serious look.
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Frequently asked questions
How many Restaurant conferences are happening in South?
There are 10 Restaurant conferences listed for South in this guide. Browse the full list above to compare dates, locations, and expected attendance.
When is the biggest Restaurant event in South?
ALIS CALA is one of the largest events on this list with approximately 500–1k attendees. It takes place Apr 28–30, 2026. Location: Coral Gables, FL.
What's the cheapest Restaurant conference to attend?
Hotels on the Hill has the lowest ticket price on this list ($). It's held in Washington, DC. Expected attendance: approximately 500–1k.
Further reading
More Orbital conference guides in related industries
Orbital's verified directory covers 1,924 trade events across 12 industries — with attendee counts, ticket pricing, exhibitor costs, and tier ratings for every listing.
