The 100 Years Club Installment #120: Booze, Bots & Bowling

I love going to conferences and trade shows. Why?

• They are like business shopping malls. I always see cool new products (even though I’m not buying them — just creating content about them).
• I experience engaging new communities. Each industry has its own personality, and being a part of a group passionate about a particular category is energizing. Food and beverage people are especially fun and inclusive. I usually meet other “conventioneers at conference hotels,” as we used to call them. I try to guess what show they are attending (without looking at their badges).
• I learn. Although I get fidgety during classroom-style presentations, I try to attend one or two sessions. Not only do I meet fellow attendees and take away business tips, but I also get ideas for improving my public speaking skills.

I hadn’t been to the Bar & Restaurant Expo since pre-pandemic.

A former conference speaker, I also contributed to their digital magazine.

So much has evolved over the past seven years.

What hasn’t changed is the need for humans to gather in brick-and-mortar locations where they can drink (alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages), eat snacks, tell their troubles to random bartenders, dance, sing, and play games.

A picture (or video) is worth 1,000 words.

Whereas in the past, I would write a list of the products I saw and people I met (like this one from the Fancy Food Show), I decided to tell the story of my adventures via video instead.

So, turn up the sound and belly up to the (virtual) bar!

Here is the list of some great companies and people I met at the show!

If you didn’t make the list, please don’t stress…simply reach out to me and let me know why your company/product/service/people are so great and I may include you in a future post, video, or business article.