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The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) will welcome thousands of restaurant and hospitality professionals from across Louisiana and the Gulf South to the 73rd Annual LRA Showcase, July 25-26, 2026, in Hall I of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

Designed exclusively for industry professionals, the LRA Showcase features hundreds of exhibiting companies showcasing the latest products, services, technology and innovations designed to help restaurants, hotels, bars, venues and hospitality businesses improve efficiency, increase profitability and prepare for the busy fall and holiday seasons.

Held during the industry's slower summer months, the Showcase gives owners, operators, chefs and managers the opportunity to evaluate new equipment, technology, food and beverage products, business solutions and operational strategies before business begins to accelerate later in the year.

"This is where Louisiana's restaurant industry comes together," said Stan Harris, President and CEO of the Louisiana Restaurant Association. "For 73 years, the Showcase has connected operators with the products, ideas and people that help them strengthen their businesses while celebrating the incredible talent that makes Louisiana's hospitality industry second to none."

This year, the LRA is partnering with New Orleans & Company and Sirha Food to host the prestigious Bocuse d'Or Americas Selection and Pastry World Cup Americas Selection in Hall H. These internationally recognized culinary competitions will bring the hemisphere's top chefs and pastry chefs to New Orleans as they compete for a place in the world finals in Lyon, France in 2027.

One registration provides industry professionals access to both the LRA Showcase and the Bocuse d'Or Americas and Pastry World Cup competitions. Both events are industry-only and are not open to the general public.

Registration is open to restaurant owners, operators, chefs, pastry chefs, managers, purchasing managers, food and beverage directors, bar managers in the foodservice industry. Companies that supply products and services to the restaurant and hospitality industry are also invited to become exhibitors. Supplier registrations are limited and approved at the discretion of Show Management. Interested in exhibiting? Contact: showcase@lra.org.

Educational Programming

In addition to the expansive exhibit floor, attendees can take advantage of two stages in one area featuring alternating business-focused education and culinary demonstrations.

The Kitchen Counter Speaker Series, presented by Ecolab, will provide practical business insights for restaurant operators.

Saturday, July 25

• 12:15 p.m. – State of the Restaurant Industry & Economic Outlook with Chad Moutray, Ph.D., National Restaurant Association
• 2 p.m. – Restaurant legal update with Attorney Michelle Anderson, sponsored by Fisher Phillips
• 4 p.m. – 2026 LRA Awards Ceremony, sponsored by DIRECTV for Business – National Accounts

Sunday, July 26

• 11 a.m. – Keeping Restaurants in Business: Financial Strategies Every Owner Should Know, with CPA Thomas Fontes and sponsored by Accounting Services Unlimited
• 12:15-1 p.m. – Legal update with Attorney Alan Yacoubian, sponsored by Johnson, Yacoubian & Paysse
• 2-2:45 p.m. – Keynote Address: The Future of Restaurants featuring renowned futurist Dr. Shawn DuBravac