NRA Chicago Hotel & Hospitality Show, USA

The NRA (National Restaurant Association) Show, held in Chicago, USA, was founded in 1919 and is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive trade fairs for restaurant and hospitality equipment, organized by the National Restaurant Association.

The National Restaurant Association holds a dominant position in the U.S. restaurant industry, with annual sales totaling $55.8 billion and providing employment to 13 million workers, making it a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, workforce, and social services. Its membership includes restaurant associations from all 50 states, as well as more than 945,000 hotels and restaurants. Each year, the show draws 67,000 buyers from over 100 countries worldwide.

From AI-powered kitchen systems to plant-based innovative ingredients, from smart back-of-house solutions to sustainable packaging, technology and creativity are showcased side by side at the NRA Show! This year’s event brought together over 2,300 exhibitors from 110 countries and regions, earning it the reputation of being the “super stage” for the U.S. hotel and restaurant industries.

As a leading provider of international exhibition services, Juzhan Exhibition has earned the trust of its clients through precise market positioning and high-quality service, helping companies expand into global markets and reignite the passion of foodservice professionals worldwide. The NRA Show in Chicago is undoubtedly a profound preview of the industry’s future.

NRA Chicago Hotel & Hospitality Show, USA tickets are e-tickets. Domestic and international visitors must complete online pre-registration with real-name passport verification. After purchase, the organizer verifies visitor identity. Visitors who do not meet entry requirements may need to submit additional documents. Once approved, you will receive email confirmation or a QR code. On site, present your original passport and confirmation letter to collect a paper badge, or scan the QR code to enter.

The Exhibition Value of the NRA Show in Chicago, USA

• The National Restaurant Association Show (NRA Show) is the world’s largest and longest-running professional event for the hospitality and foodservice industries. Hosted by the National Restaurant Association since its inception in 1919, it has been held over a hundred times and is widely recognized as a leading indicator of global foodservice industry trends and a central hub for the North American hotel and restaurant market. Held annually at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the show serves as a strategic platform for connecting global supply-chain resources, showcasing cutting-edge technological advancements, and shaping industry development trajectories.
• The core value of exhibiting lies in its unparalleled reach into the North American market and its highly concentrated pool of professional buyers. In 2025, the show will bring together more than 2,200 exhibitors from around the globe, occupying 65,000 square meters of exhibition space, and attracting over 58,000 professional visitors from 124 countries, with a notable increase in the share of international attendees. These professionals include executives from major hotel chains, restaurant operators, supermarket networks, catering service providers, distributors, and procurement decision-makers, offering exhibitors a strategic gateway to engage directly with key North American purchasing influencers.
• The show establishes a one-stop commercial platform spanning the entire hospitality and foodservice value chain. Exhibits cover 12 major categories and over 200 subcategories, including commercial kitchen equipment, food and beverage products, dining supplies, guestroom amenities, hotel furniture, electronic security systems, entertainment devices, industrial machinery, and commercial delivery vehicles—ranging from food ingredients to kitchen appliances, and from hotel supplies to advanced technological solutions, thus forming a complete industrial ecosystem. The show also features dedicated zones such as the “Lakefront Center Global Cuisine Pavilion” and the “Technology & Entertainment Zone,” highlighting regional culinary specialties alongside pioneering innovations like AI-powered ordering systems, smart POS terminals, and digital management platforms.
• The show aligns with three major industry trends—AI-driven solutions, sustainability, and personalized experiences—creating a robust hub for deep integration among academia, industry, research, and application. In 2025, AI takes center stage, with Kraft Heinz unveiling its ReMix machine that enables consumers to customize sauces on-site, while AI-based ordering systems, robotic chefs, and intelligent kitchen appliances make their debut, transforming AI from a conceptual idea into practical operational optimization tools. Sustainability permeates the entire venue, with eco-friendly packaging, energy-efficient equipment, recyclable materials, and technologies aimed at reducing food waste emerging as key highlights. Chef Works introduces environmentally friendly uniforms, and the Surfrider Foundation showcases ocean-friendly restaurant initiatives. Meanwhile, personalized experiences continue to evolve, with functional beverage brands like Olipop expanding into the foodservice channel, and a dedicated THC‑infused beverage zone making its first appearance, reflecting the diverse demands of the U.S. market.
• The show hosts numerous high‑profile industry events, fostering a thought leadership environment through deep collaboration among academia, industry, research, and practice. During the 2025 edition, the eighth U.S. Chinese Cuisine International Forum will convene, focusing on “Perseverance Amidst Change: New Strategic Pathways for the Globalization of Overseas Chinese Cuisine in the Wake of Tariff Storms.” Key figures such as Chinese Consul General Wang Baodong in Chicago and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will attend to discuss pathways for Chinese cuisine globalization and strategies to address tariff-related challenges. In addition, nearly a hundred specialized events—including innovation technology forums, industry trend seminars, cooking demonstrations, and new product launches—will provide exhibitors with end-to-end support, from trend insights to commercial implementation.
• For Chinese enterprises, this show represents a strategic gateway to penetrate the North American market, connect with international resources, and showcase innovative capabilities. In 2025, nearly 30 Chinese companies will participate, with firms such as Jiurong, Hengxin, Jiahe, and Juyi presenting frozen and refrigerated equipment, packaging solutions, disposable tableware, cooking utensils, and eco‑friendly products, achieving results that exceeded expectations. An increasing number of Chinese and Asian brands are actively engaging, with the Chinese cuisine sector and Sichuan restaurant delegations participating as official exhibition groups, demonstrating confidence and strength in bringing Chinese culinary culture to the global stage. Exhibiting companies can leverage this platform to access core global procurement networks and seize early opportunities in the North American hospitality and foodservice industries’ ongoing transformations toward intelligence, sustainability, and brand‑driven growth.
• The 2026 NRA Show is scheduled to take place from May 16 to 19 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. With an anticipated exhibition area exceeding 80,000 square meters, approximately 2,480 exhibitors, and over 60,000 professional visitors, the show will continue to serve as an efficient platform for global exchange and collaboration within the hospitality and foodservice sectors.

Notable exhibitors

• Food and Beverage Brands:Kraft Heinz (ReMix Self-Mixing Sauce Machine), Nature’s Fynd (Fy Fermented Protein), BlueHenry (Cocktail Garnishes), Tari Peruvian Hot Sauce (Peruvian Chili Sauce), Zentis North America (Kültee Kaviar Bubble Tea Pearls), Epicurean Butter (A.1. Steakhouse Butter), Greenridge Naturals, Runamok Maple (Maple Syrup), Greener Pastures Chicken (Chicken Strips & Nuggets), Palermo Villa (Roman Pizza Crust), Heritage Health Food (Worthington Plant-Based Products), Natavo Avocado (Non-Browning Avocado), Out Of The Blue (Dinnerware), Giusti USA (Balsamic Vinegar), Crafted Cocktails (Brown Sugar Simple Syrup), DRNX (Functional Water), Olipop (Functional Soda), Bloom (Functional Soda), North, Louie Louie, Wynk (THC Beverages), Tramontina USA (Commercial Kitchen Equipment/Tools)
• Foodservice Equipment and Kitchen Technology:Alto-Shaam (Origin™ Multi-Function Convection Oven), Merrychef (Oven Chamber Liners), VITO Fryfilter (FT CONNECT Deep-Frying Tester), EmberGlo (ES10 Countertop Steam Oven), MacPac SA (Food Packaging), YESPAC (DUOCUP™, EcoVive™ Eco-Friendly Packaging), Shepherd Filters (Wool Grease Filtration System), Fast Kitchen Hoods (VariVent Energy Control System), Giusti USA, Tramontina, VITO Fryfilter
• Technology and Digital Solutions:Advantech (AI Self-Service Kiosks, Smart POS, Digital Signage), PLS (Bite, MishiPay, Tonic POS Software), Reddie Technology (Digital Signage), Primera Technology (Eddie Edible Ink Printer), Milagro Corporation (Integrated Restaurant Business Platform), CLC Insight (Culinary Innovation Path Menu Development Platform), Visenta (In-Restaurant Photography Solutions), Career Plug (Recruitment and Retention Software), Custom America (Touchwindow Slice Table, Mobile POS), Apex Order Pickup Solutions (OrderHQ™ Array Order-Pickup System), Zebra, ELO, Dell, MicroTouch, Citizen, Lenovo, Microsoft, EPSON, esper
• Hospitality Supplies and Furniture:Vingcard | ASSA ABLOY | Nomadix, OpenKey, LumiSource (Custom Commercial Furniture), Flash Furniture (Outdoor Furniture), Skechers (Restaurant Uniforms/Shoes), Cargo Crew (Workwear), Chef Works (Eco-Friendly Uniforms)
• Sustainability and Social Responsibility:Surfrider Foundation (Ocean-Friendly Restaurant Initiative), Shepherd Filters, YESPAC
• Other Prominent Brands:Hormel (Multi-Cuisine Concept Booth), Sysco (Supply Chain), Careit Co. (Food Donation App), Alto-Shaam, Merrychef, Kegco (Beverage Dispensers), Cristel USA (Four New Kitchen Utensils)
• Chinese Exhibitors:JiuRong, HengXin, JiaHe, JuYi (Frozen & Refrigerated Equipment, Packaging, Disposable Tableware, Cooking Utensils, Eco-Friendly Products)