Showcasing Events
We are united by our passion for crafting extraordinary, mouthwatering, and flawless experiences that clients treasure and celebrate together. Prepare to discover refreshed event design concepts specially curated for 2026.
Catersource + The Special Event Showcasing Events
Connect Social
Kick off your week right by connecting with friends and colleagues at our opening welcome reception.
Monday, February 24, 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Opening Night Party
Immerse yourself in a trendy showcase with food and beverage highlights that will change your menus.
Tuesday, February 25, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Opening Keynote
Reinvigorate your creative juices with inspiration from the industry on the mainstage.
Wednesday, February 26, 9:00am - 10:00am
SEARCH Foundation Annual Signature Event
Wednesday, February 26th
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Closing Keynote
It's time for the big finale! Join us for our Closing Keynote!
Thursday, February 27, 9:00am - 10:00am
Tablescape Competition
Thursday, February 27, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Location: Catersource + The Special Event Show Floor
Awards Ceremony
Join Catersource + The Special Event in honoring industry leaders on Thursday evening, February 27, 5:30pm – 7:00pm at our awards gala.
Location: General Session Stage
Admission to this event is free with any pass type.
Closing Night Celebration
Celebrate with colleagues amidst an entertainment-filled experience as we wrap up a great week for our industry.
Thursday, February 27, 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Beverage Garden
Join us in the Beverage Garden on the tradeshow floor for a bespoke tasting experience—only open to ticket holders—that will inform the myriad ways you approach beverages and how they are built, garnished, and served. Walk the garden and compare cocktail bitters (i.e., not all bitters of the same "flavor" taste the same!), sample garnishes, assess Bloody Mary mixes, and enjoy a signature cocktail to round out your experience, among other tastes. Each day offers a different learning experience as well:
The Tasting Experience: Wednesday
Wednesday, February 26 • 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm • $125
Featured education with wine pairings: 3:45 - 4:30
Why Wine? Why Not? Elevate Your Catering Offerings Beyond Food with Chef Thao Moore
Food and wine! We hear this term frequently, but how much do you REALLY know about wine? The world of wine can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be! Chef Thao Moore is WSET Level 3 Wines Certified from Napa Valley Wine Academy. In this session, you will sample beautiful wines that won't break your (or your client's) budget. Thao will break down the basics of wine education and discuss how you can take wine to the next level in your business offerings to include VIP wine and dinner pairings or teach wine classes. You will walk away with knowledge that will help elevate your company and brand. Learn, laugh, and get inspired!
The Tasting Experience: Thursday
Thursday, February 27 • 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm • $125
Featured education with non-alcoholic cocktail pairings: 1:45 - 2:30
Crafting Cocktails: Taste, Flavor, and Cost Insights with Johnson & Wales University's Dean Mistretta
This workshop explores the art and science of creating cocktails, delving into the key aspects of taste testing and flavor profiling and their impact on the financial costing of two approaches: Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails and bartender-prepared cocktails. Participants will learn to identify the nuanced differences in flavor complexity, ingredient balance, and consistency between these methods, while also uncovering surprising similarities in sensory evaluation techniques.
Attendees will experience taste testing and flavor profiling firsthand, gaining tools to assess drink quality and market appeal. The workshop will then examine the cost dynamics of RTD cocktails—optimized for scalability and shelf stability—contrasted with the real-time craftsmanship and ingredient variability of bartender-prepared beverages. Financial considerations, including ingredient sourcing, preparation time, and wastage, will be analyzed to help caterers make informed decisions based on customer preferences and operational goals.
By blending sensory science with financial analysis, this workshop equips professional caterers with actionable insights to enhance their cocktail offerings, streamline production, and elevate the customer experience in a competitive market. Whether catering events or managing bar services, attendees will leave with strategies to balance creativity, quality, and profitability.