Home » Bartending News » Danny Meyer to Headline 2027 Bar & Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas
Hospitality leader, restaurateur, and founder of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack will share insights on leadership, culture, and building successful hospitality businesses.
The Bar & Restaurant Expo is bringing one of hospitality’s most influential voices to Las Vegas in 2027. Danny Meyer, founder of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack, will headline the annual industry gathering taking place March 22–24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Dedicated specifically to independent bar and restaurant operators, the 2027 Bar & Restaurant Expo will center around the theme “Get Inspired,” with a focus on practical solutions and education designed to help owners and operators navigate the everyday challenges of running a hospitality business.
Meyer opened Union Square Cafe in New York City in 1985 at just 27 years old, eventually building Union Square Hospitality Group, which includes acclaimed restaurants such as Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, and Ci Siamo. Meyer and USHG also founded Shake Shack, which became a public company in 2015.
Throughout his career, Meyer has become known for his philosophy of “Enlightened Hospitality,” a belief that putting employees first creates the foundation for stronger guest experiences and successful businesses.
His keynote follows the release of his latest book, “What Could Possibly Go Right?”, which draws on more than four decades in hospitality and explores lessons around leadership, culture, and building teams.
The Bar & Restaurant Expo continues to focus on the real challenges facing today’s hospitality professionals — from labor and rising costs to attracting guests, improving margins, strengthening teams, and adapting to changing consumer expectations.
For 2027, the event will expand its emphasis on peer-to-peer learning, bringing together operators, owners, and industry leaders to share firsthand experiences and actionable ideas.
The show floor will feature dedicated areas focused on Food & Beverage, Equipment, Technology & Innovation, Services, and Entertainment & Experience, along with interactive programs designed to help operators discover new solutions.
New additions for 2027 include the Emerging Leaders Program, designed to connect the next generation of hospitality professionals with industry executives, mentors, and operators.
While the Expo is built for operators, the conversations happening in Las Vegas impact everyone behind the bar. Leadership, team culture, guest experience, technology, and operational efficiency all shape the future of hospitality.
As the industry continues to evolve, Bar & Restaurant Expo remains a place where hospitality professionals can connect, learn, and discover new ideas to bring back to their businesses.
Bar & Restaurant Expo 2027
📍 Las Vegas Convention Center
📅 March 22–24, 2027
Registration is now open.
