Attendees // Colorado Restaurant & Bar Show

10 AM – 4 PM

Exhibit Hall Open to Attendees

11 AM – 2:00 PM

Education Sessions:

Staying Compliant: Labor Law Essentials for Restaurants 

Presented by McDonald Farms.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Join Micah Dawson, Partner, Fisher and Phillips LLP, for an essential update on the labor laws shaping Colorado’s restaurant industry today. This session equips restaurant owners and managers with the latest, need-to-know guidance on minimum-wage changes, overtime rules, tip-pooling regulations, paid sick leave requirements, and proper employee classification.

Attendees will walk away with clear, actionable insights to maintain compliance, prevent costly penalties, and support a fair, efficient workplace. With federal, state, and local regulations evolving rapidly, this presentation is designed to help your restaurant stay ahead and operate with confidence.

Q&A with Micah Dawson

12 – 1 p.m.

Not So Everyday AI:  Practical AI Tools Restaurant Leaders Should Know

Presented by Popmenu.

1 – 2 p.m.

Artificial intelligence is already showing up in restaurant operations, marketing, staffing, and guest communication. The real challenge is knowing where it actually helps and where it creates more noise.

In this session, Dan Streeter, the CEO of Mission Fuel AI, introduces practical AI tools restaurant leaders can use to reduce manual work, improve communication, and support teams across multiple locations. The focus is on real use cases that fit the pace and pressure of the restaurant industry.

Attendees will leave with clear examples of how AI can support daily operations without disrupting service or adding complexity.

2026 State of the Restaurant Industry & Economic Outlook 

Virtual session – recording sent to pass holders to watch on their own time

Restaurant operators face mounting challenges as rising costs and more cautious consumers put pressure on profitability. Meanwhile, the broader economy and consumer spending reflect a mix of resilience and uncertainty.

This session with Chad Moutray, SVP Industry Research & Knowledge and Chief Economist at the National Restaurant Association, delivers a data-driven analysis of current trends shaping the restaurant and foodservice industry and explores what lies ahead for 2026—helping operators anticipate opportunities and prepare for potential risks in a rapidly evolving market.

Purchase Education Pass, includes access to all three sessions.

11 AM – 3:00 PM

Colorado ProStart® Student Chef Showcase

Enjoy bites prepared by talented Colorado ProStart® students and learn how the ProStart® program is shaping the next generation of culinary professionals.

11 AM – 3:00 PM

Vendor demonstrations

More details coming soon!

4 PM

Exhibit Hall Closes

Micah Dawson – Partner, Fisher Phillips LLP

Micah is a CRA Legal Resource Center partner who advises employers on how to comply with state and federal regulations and develop the best corporate practices and policies.

Micah has significant experience litigating on behalf of national and international employers in state and federal courts across the country and has successfully tried cases in both jury and bench proceedings. As a member of the firm’s Wage and Hour Practice Group, Micah has obtained favorable outcomes for clients in various wage and hour matters, including class and collective actions, under the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and various state laws across the country. Micah is also a member of the firm’s Labor Relations Practice Group and is involved in all aspects of traditional labor law under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Railway Labor Act (RLA), including union avoidance and elections, defense of unfair labor practice charges, collective bargaining negotiations, system board hearings, and labor arbitrations.

Dan Streeter – CEO, Mission Fuel AI

Dan Streeter is the CEO of Mission Fuel AI. He works with organizations to improve productivity and communication using practical artificial intelligence tools. A national speaker and award-winning educator, Dan helps leaders turn AI into everyday support for teams and operations.

Chad Moutray – Senior Vice President, Research & Knowledge Group and Chief Economist at the National Restaurant Association

Chad Moutray is senior vice president for research & knowledge and chief economist at the National Restaurant Association, where he leads economic analysis, data-driven insights, and thought leadership for business leaders in the restaurant and foodservice industry. A recognized expert on economic trends, he frequently shares his perspectives through professional presentations, media interviews, and industry reports.

Before joining the National Restaurant Association, Dr. Moutray served as chief economist at the National Association of Manufacturers (2011–2024) and as director of the Center for Manufacturing Research at the Manufacturing Institute (2016–2024). His earlier roles include chief economist and director of economic research for the Office of Advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration (2002–2010) and dean of the School of Business Administration at Robert Morris College in Chicago (now part of Roosevelt University). His career spans academia, government, and trade associations, each role building upon the last.

Dr. Moutray is an adjunct professor at George Washington University, where he teaches econometrics in the M.S. in the applied economics program. He has held leadership roles in several professional organizations, including serving as chair of the Conference of Business Economists and as a board member of the National Association for Business Economics. He is also a past president and chairman of the National Economists Club, the Washington, D.C. chapter of NABE. In 2026, he will begin serving on the board of trustees of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies in Arlington, VA.

He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Eastern Illinois University. A Certified Business Economist™ since its inaugural class in 2015, he has been recognized for his professional achievements with the Outstanding Graduate Alumni Award from EIU (2014) and the Alumnus Achievement Award from Lake Land College (2015). He continues to contribute to the field as a member of the external economics advisory board for SIUC’s School of Analytics, Finance, and Economics.