The conference will explore emerging trends and issues and aims to facilitate dialog and best practice exchange around issues such as rising commodity prices, sourcing of ingredients, and equipment purchasing strategies. Food and beverage purchases alone by the restaurant industry are expected to exceed $237 billion this year. 

 

The group will address the full spectrum of the field, including purchasing, distribution, logistics, quality assurance, freight, and inventory management, and provide perspective applicable to restaurant operations of all sizes. The group’s spring 2013 conference will be held at the Westin Chicago, preceding the 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, which will be held May 18-21 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. 

 

“Supply chain management issues are top of mind for today’s restaurant operators. We designed our conference to center around emerging issues and top priorities to help restaurateurs navigate the complex issues of safely and efficiently getting supplies to our nation’s nearly one million restaurant and foodservice locations,” says Scott DeFife, executive vice president of policy and government affairs for the National Restaurant Association. “Our mix of executive level, policy level, and peer discussions will deliver innovative ideas and solutions to critical issues that face every restaurant operator.” 

 

This year’s Supply Chain Management conference will feature:

 

-CEO panel: Chief executives from leading restaurant companies will share their perspectives on the importance of supply-chain management and how supply-chain teams can better communicate their value. Hear from Brinker International’s Doug Brooks, Dunkin’ Brands’ Jon Luther, and Centerplate’s Des Hague. 

 

-Expert presentations: Top restaurant, supply-chain, and distribution leaders will present on issues such as commodity costs, distribution challenges, the Global Food Safety Initiative, economic factors affecting the supply chain, and more.

 

-Roundtable discussions: Break-out sessions with restaurant colleagues from around the country will exchange ideas and find innovative solutions to common challenges, including technology, third-party purchasing organizations, purchasing strategies for equipment and small wares, global sourcing, remodeling, energy procurement, and more.

 

-Closing keynote: Discover ways to influence people, establish rapport, detect deception, investigate fraud, or negotiate deals in a lively, interactive session with Janine Driver, CEO of the Body Language Institute. Driver, a retired federal law enforcement officer, is a recognized expert on deception detection and body language. A contributor to NBC's Today show, Anderson Cooper Live, Extra!, and the Dr. Oz Show, Driver is the author of bestsellers "You Say More than You Think" and "You Can’t Lie to Me."

 

Registration is $295 for NRA members and $395 for nonmembers before March 15 and $350 for members and $450 for nonmembers after March 15. Admission to the NRA Show is free for study group attendees. Special housing rates at the Westin Chicago also are available.