Latest news with #NationalRestaurantAssociationShow
Business Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Beyonce helps drive Chicago hotel bookings above Lionel Messi's record
[CHICAGO] Beyonce's concert in Chicago helped drive hotel bookings to a fresh record, beating a previous high set when Lionel Messi's Inter Miami played in the third-largest US city. Travellers booked 46,450 hotel rooms in Chicago last Saturday (May 17), the most ever for any single day, according to Choose Chicago, the city's tourism organisation. Visitors were also in town for the National Restaurant Association Show, which usually attracts more than 50,000 people. The new record is good news for Chicago, which had been struggling to lure tourists back. While the number of visitors rose 6.5 per cent last year to 55.3 million, it still remains below pre-pandemic levels. The city received 61 million tourists in 2019, according to Choose Chicago data. 'This is such an exciting time of year in Chicago,' Kristen Reynolds, the group's president, said in a statement, referring to events that take place in the summer including the Nascar street race and Lollapalooza. 'We look forward to continuing this momentum, driving economic vitality through visitation.' Bookings last Saturday compared with the previous record set on Aug 31, when a Pearl Jam concert at Wrigley Field coincided with the Chicago Fire game against Inter Miami at Soldier Field. That day, tourists booked 46,126 hotel rooms, data from Choose Chicago showed. Major concert tours have proved profitable in the city in recent years. Taylor Swift's Eras Tour weekend in 2023 generated an average of 44,383 hotel rooms over a Friday and Saturday, a record back then. BLOOMBERG
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DSA Signage Partners with Neon to Deliver Smarter, More Engaging Signage for Restaurants
Collaboration offers brands a one-stop-shop for premier hardware and software DSA Signage and Neon have entered into a strategic partnership Chicago, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DSA Signage, a leading manufacturer of high-quality displays, and Neon, the customer engagement platform behind modern digital signage, overhead music, and guest Wi-Fi, today announced a new strategic partnership at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. As part of this collaboration, DSA Signage digital screens will now be powered by Neon's cloud-based platform, merging premium hardware with intelligent content and device management capabilities. 'DSA Signage strives to be a true partner for our customers, and we're glad to bring even more value by pairing our high-quality signage with Neon's seamless content control and smart engagement tools,' says Shokouh Shafiei, CEO of DSA Signage. 'Brands can rely on our durable, vibrant screens while using Neon software to easily update menus, pricing, and promos.' This partnership brings a comprehensive, turnkey solution to businesses across industries — from hospitality and retail to healthcare and transportation — making it easier than ever to deploy dynamic, visually engaging, and centrally managed digital signage. 'We're honored to be the platform behind DSA Signage's digital display network,' adds Eli Chmouni, CEO of Neon. 'Together, we're helping brands transform how they connect with customers, one screen at a time, and creating amazing experiences along the way.' With DSA Signage custom-engineered enclosures, drive thru signage, and high-bright displays integrated with Neon's powerful software, clients will gain: Real-time content updates across locations POS-integrated dynamic pricing and promotions Cloud-based screen management and monitoring Flexible multimedia scheduling Simplified nationwide rollouts The integrated DSA Signage-Neon solution is available now and supported by both teams, from hardware delivery and installation to software setup and content onboarding. DSA Signage and Neon leaders are sharing details with National Restaurant Association Show attendees in Chicago this week at Neon's Booth #8306. To learn more, visit and # # # About DSA Signage DSA Signage manufactures high-quality displays from its Southern California facility to help businesses brighten their brands. The company creates LED light boxes, menu boards, and other digital signage to illuminate and enhance content. DSA Signage offers indoor and outdoor solutions, from standard to highly custom solutions designed in-house by its team of engineers. To learn more, visit Follow DSA Signage on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Youtube. About Neon Neon is a modern customer engagement platform that helps businesses connect with their customers through digital signage, overhead music, and guest Wi-Fi. From national restaurant chains to boutique retailers, Neon provides a full-service solution that combines powerful software with optional hardware, installation, and support — all managed from a single, easy-to-use dashboard. Learn more at Follow Neon on Instagram and LinkedIn. Attachment DSA Signage and Neon have entered into a strategic partnership CONTACT: Renee Cossman CossmanPR, LLC renee@ in to access your portfolio
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Sprite introduces a limited-edition flavor. Here's when you can try it.
Sprite introduces a limited-edition flavor. Here's when you can try it. Show Caption Hide Caption Dirty Soda shops explode in popularity after viral boosts Viral TikToks and reality shows helped dirty soda shops explode nationwide Sprite is about to drop a new flavor. The company announced on May 19 that it is launching a new limited-edition summer flavor. "Sprite + Tea" is directly inspired by consumer consumption and the viral trend of consumers steeping tea bags in cold Sprite for a few minutes before drinking it. "It truly originated from social activity that went viral of consumers actually putting tea bags into Sprite and essentially steeping the tea" to create this concoction of bubbles, citrus and tea," Kate Schaufelberger, brand director of Sprite North America, told USA TODAY. "We tried to get under it - of what people were really searching for." She said the new product creates "an elevated Sprite consumption experience." Schaufelberger said the company hopes consumers receive it positively and that the brand will continue to listen to audience feedback. "This came from them as an original seed of an idea, and now we are coming back to them to some degree, to see what they think of it, and hopefully it pays off or exceeds their expectations," Schaufelberger said, adding the team hopes Sprite + Tea will become a year-over-year seasonal offering like the holiday fan-favorite Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry. The brand director also revealed the new product is already getting strong industry recognition and just won a Fabi Award given by the National Restaurant Association Show to celebrate new and creative products. The concept actually started out as an intern research project, according to A.P. Chaney, senior creative director of sparkling flavors in North America at Sprite. "When it blew up on TikTok with millions of views, it was a gut check that we were on the right track," Chaney said in a statement. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. What does Sprite + Tea taste like? Sprite says, "The category-crossing offering blends the crisp, lemon-lime refreshment of Sprite with the classically refreshing taste and flavor of tea." The new Sprite, which Schaufelberger described as the "perfect summer beverage," includes "tea flavor that pays homage to a classic iced tea taste" and tea essence that adds "aroma and consumption experience that's very different than any Sprite the company has put out before." "When you first sip it, it hits you like a Sprite," Schaufelberger said. "It has that known Sprite taste and carbonation. But in the middle is this new, unique tea experience." The brand said the new flavor underwent several rounds of consumer testing to "fine-tune the formula for the amber-colored sparkling beverage." How to get new Sprite + Tea The new Sprite + Tea is available in both the regular and zero-sugar varieties at retailers nationwide starting May 19 until October. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National Restaurant Association Sees Continued Growth and Success by Future-proofing What Makes the Restaurant Experience Unforgettable
President & CEO Michelle Korsmo calls on restaurant operators to focus on the people, consistency and reliability that keep consumers coming to restaurants CHICAGO, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurants will continue to thrive by empowering a future-ready workforce and embracing technology to unleash breakthrough efficiency in a rapidly changing and competitive marketplace. This was the message of National Restaurant Association President & CEO Michelle Korsmo today during her keynote address delivered to attendees at the annual National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Korsmo emphasized to the owners, operators, and suppliers present that the path forward requires investing in people and adopting technologies that enhance the restaurant experience. "We should celebrate the nearly 16 million people who make up this workforce. The competition for talent is fierce. It's not just about filling jobs; it's about inspiring people to choose this industry, to see it as a career that offers purpose and fulfillment," said Korsmo during her remarks. Empowering a Future-Ready WorkforceAccording to the National Restaurant Association's 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry report, 60 percent of food service employees are under 35. This generation craves more than just a paycheck. They're looking for a community and workplaces that value developing the potential in their teams, provide flexibility, and use technology to improve the employee and customer experience. Korsmo highlighted the restaurant industry's unique role as both a training ground and a launchpad for meaningful careers. She pointed to programs like ProStart®, where high school students gain hands-on culinary and business experience that prepares them to be the next generation of industry leaders. Unleashing Breakthrough Efficiency "Gone are the days when restaurant operators could simply balance the checkbook at the end of the month to know if they were profitable. Today, meeting the demands of the modern restaurant environment requires a whole new level of insights and tools. That means tighter control over inventory, smarter purchasing decisions, and more strategic supply chain management. It also means managing labor costs more effectively, with better scheduling, predictive tools, and automation that enhances operations, rather than replacing people," said Korsmo. Leveraging technology is key, and Korsmo noted that 83 percent of restaurant operators say that using technology provides a clear competitive advantage and 4 in 10 say their tech investments have directly improved overall customer satisfaction. As labor and food costs continue to rise, Korsmo noted, improving efficiency can be the difference between struggling and staying profitable. Korsmo closed her remarks by emphasizing that consumers continue to love the restaurant experience and are choosing to spend their discretionary dollars in restaurants – with sales projected to reach $1.5 trillion this year and strong demand across every segment of the industry. Korsmo encouraged restaurant operators to get involved and let their voices be heard, noting that there is no better advocate for the restaurant industry. Read Korsmo's full remarks here. About the National Restaurant AssociationFounded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.7 million employees. Together with 52 State Associations, we are a network of professional organizations dedicated to serving every restaurant through advocacy, education, and food safety. We sponsor the industry's largest trade show (National Restaurant Association Show); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart). For more information, visit and find @WeRRestaurants on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Restaurant Association Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tractor Beverage Brings the Mad Farmer Tour--and a Taste of Business as Unusual--to the National Restaurant Show
With bold organic beverages, immersive storytelling, and a fresh take on foodservice, Tractor invites attendees to step inside a new kind of booth—where soil meets soul and story meets pour DENVER, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From May 17–20, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tractor Beverage Company is showing up differently at the National Restaurant Association Show. While most exhibitors set up booths, Tractor is rolling in with its Mad Farmer Tour vehicle—a retrofitted Airstream turned storytelling experience—and inviting attendees to experience what it means to do business as unusual. As the only USDA Certified Organic beverage brand crafted exclusively for foodservice, Tractor has built a platform for the next era of dining—one that meets growing consumer demand for bold flavor, ingredient integrity, and deeper connection to the food system. "At Tractor, we call it business as unusual because we believe food and beverage should nourish more than the bottom line," said Kevin Sherman, CEO of Tractor Beverage Company. "We're proud to support operators with products that meet the moment—organic, original, and built to stand out." The Mad Farmer Tour is a national, soil-first platform for connection and inspiration—designed to spark meaningful engagement with farmers, food leaders, and communities across the country. Rooted in the belief that to shape the future of food, we must show up and plant ourselves, the tour invites operators to experience a new way of thinking about beverage: one that bridges what Tractor calls the Hope Gap—the space between the world as it is, and the world as it could be. Beyond storytelling, Tractor supports the future of food through its sourcing practices and the work of the Farmhand Foundation, which helps farmers—especially those transitioning to organic—build long-term resilience and access critical resources. "Operators are being asked to deliver more with less—and they need beverage partners who make it easier to win," said Brian Barbara, Chief Revenue Officer. "That's what Tractor does. We bring bold flavor, a powerful point of difference, and real support for their teams." What to Expect at Tractor's Booth #11662 (North Hall): Organic beverage tastings from Tractor's farm-to-fountain portfolio Step inside the Mad Farmer Tour vehicle, a reimagined Airstream for immersive brand storytelling Happy Hour, 2:30–4:30 PM Saturday through Monday, featuring: Postcard Writing Station: Write a note to yourself or someone else, hang it from our White Oak tree, and receive it back in the mail after the show Tractor invites foodservice professionals to step into a space where flavor, intention, and real-world impact come together—and to leave with more than just a sample. About Tractor Beverage Company At Tractor, we believe both your meal and your drink should be filled with intention. Farmer-founded and employee-owned, we know that what's good for the soil is good for the soul. That's why we craft drinks that nourish soil health and support a better food system. Tractor Beverage Company is the first USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO beverage brand crafted exclusively for foodservice. With a farm-to-fountain portfolio, the industry-first Organic Impact Tracker™, and contributions through the Farmhand Foundation, Tractor supports farmers, empowers operators, and helps redefine the future of food and drink. Learn more at or follow @drinktractor on Instagram. Media Contact:Julianna CavanaughTractor Beverage Company395339@ | 315-761-7198 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Tractor Beverage Company Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
