Restaurant · Vertical x Region
Restaurant leadership conferences in the Southeast have a packed early 2026 calendar, with eight events running from January through February across Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia.
A closer look at how the set distributes across sub-scopes.
| State | Conferences |
|---|---|
| Florida | 6 |
| South Carolina | 2 |
| Tennessee | 1 |
| Virginia | 1 |
Within the 10 Restaurant conferences in the Southeast, 0 rank as Tier A. Orlando hosts the most events in this cut, with 2 on the calendar. January is the busiest month, with 6 conferences scheduled. Ticket pricing splits 6 at the $ tier and 2 at the $$$ tier, so entry costs vary widely across the set. ICR Conference tops the Tier-ranked list, held in Orlando. The most common stated purpose is Growth / Revenue, covering 7 of the 10 events in this cut. Event length averages 2.4 days across the set, with the longest running 4 days.
Jan 11–13, 2026Orlando, FL2k–5k attendees
Given its 2k–5k expected attendees, ICR Conference has cemented its place as a well-regarded event in the Restaurant industry. For teams targeting the Restaurant industry, the show is worth a serious look.
Jan 20–20, 2026Columbia, SC<500 attendees$ ticket
Given its <500 expected attendees, South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Annual Meeting & Conference has cemented its place as a niche event in the Restaurant industry. Attendance pricing of $ suggests a filtered, high-intent room, and the Orbital team rates it in the specialist tier informed by verified attendance composition, post-show exhibitor outcomes, and editorial assessment. For teams targeting the Restaurant vertical, this show is worth a serious look.
Jan 21–21, 2026Clearwater, FL<500 attendees$ ticket
Based on <500 annual attendees, SHFM Florida Local ranks solidly as an entry-level conference within the Restaurant sector. Entry at $ signals a serious operator audience, which is why Orbital rates it at Bronze informed by verified attendance composition, post-show exhibitor outcomes, and editorial assessment. Exhibitors focused on the Restaurant vertical, the show is worth a serious look.
Jan 24–26, 2026Nashville, TN<500 attendees$$$ ticket
Given its <500 expected attendees, NACE Evolve Conference for Chapter Leaders has cemented its place as a niche event in the Restaurant industry. Attendance pricing of $$$ points to a buyer-rich attendee base, and the Orbital team rates it in the specialist tier based on a combination of attendee quality, exhibitor ROI data, and industry relevance. Sales teams working the Restaurant space, this conference deserves a line item in your event budget.
Jan 27–29, 2026Myrtle Beach, SC5k–10k attendees$ ticket
With 5k–10k industry professionals on the floor, Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Supply Show of the Southeast sits firmly as a solid mid-tier show across the Restaurant space. Ticket pricing at $ suggests a filtered, high-intent room, and our team places it among Silver events based on a combination of attendee quality, exhibitor ROI data, and industry relevance. Sales teams working the Restaurant vertical, this show belongs on any serious exhibitor's planning list.
Jan 27–27, 2026Fort Walton Beach, FL$ ticket
Performance Foodservice Valdosta Foodcentric Event sits firmly as a solid mid-tier show across the Restaurant space. Ticket pricing at $ implies a vetted crowd of decision-makers, and our team places it among Silver events drawing on multi-cycle exhibitor feedback and verified attendee role data. Operators building pipeline in the Restaurant category, this gathering deserves a line item in your event budget.
Feb 1–4, 2026Orlando, FL1k–2k attendees$$$ ticket
Considering 1k–2k registered participants, RILA LINK Retail Supply Chain Conference stands as a Gold-rated gathering for the Restaurant vertical. Registration at $$$ suggests a filtered, high-intent room, leading Orbital to rate it as a Gold event based on a combination of attendee quality, exhibitor ROI data, and industry relevance. If you're selling into the Restaurant vertical, the show belongs on any serious exhibitor's planning list.
Feb 1–3, 2026Fort Myers, FL<500 attendees
Considering <500 registered participants, BITAC Food & Beverage stands as a Bronze-rated gathering for the Restaurant vertical. Sales teams working the Restaurant vertical, the show merits inclusion in your annual conference calendar.
Feb 2–3, 2026Richmond, VA<500 attendees$ ticket
Considering <500 registered participants, VRLTA Day on the Hill & Taste of VRLTA stands as a Bronze-rated gathering for the Restaurant vertical. Registration at $ points to a buyer-rich attendee base, leading Orbital to rate it as a Bronze event reflecting a holistic view of buyer density, lead quality, and industry footprint. Sales teams working the Restaurant industry, this show belongs on any serious exhibitor's planning list.
Feb 9–11, 2026Tampa, FL500–1k attendees$ ticket
Given its 500–1k expected attendees, NICA Business Expo & Fare Foods Food Show has cemented its place as a dependable event in the Restaurant industry. Attendance pricing of $ suggests a filtered, high-intent room, and the Orbital team rates it in the mid tier drawing on multi-cycle exhibitor feedback and verified attendee role data. If you're selling into the Restaurant category, this gathering deserves a line item in your event budget.
All 10 conferences at a glance
| Conference | Tier |
|---|---|
| ICR Conference | GoldOrbital’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. |
| South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Annual Meeting & Conference | 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. |
| SHFM Florida Local | 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. |
| NACE Evolve Conference for Chapter Leaders | 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. |
| Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Supply Show of the Southeast | 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. |
| Performance Foodservice Valdosta Foodcentric Event | 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. |
| RILA LINK Retail Supply Chain Conference | GoldOrbital’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. |
| BITAC Food & Beverage | 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. |
| VRLTA Day on the Hill & Taste of VRLTA | 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. |
| NICA Business Expo & Fare Foods Food Show | 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. |
There are 10 Restaurant conferences listed for Southeast in this guide. Browse the full list above to compare dates, locations, and expected attendance.
ICR Conference is one of the largest events on this list with approximately 2k–5k attendees. It takes place Jan 11–13, 2026. Location: Orlando, FL.
NICA Business Expo & Fare Foods Food Show has the lowest ticket price on this list ($). It's held in Tampa, FL. Expected attendance: approximately 500–1k.
More Orbital conference guides in related industries
Orbital Conference Directory
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.
