Hospitality Pathways Conference
Main Conference: August 21–22, 2025
Pre-Conference: August 20
Washington Marriott Georgetown
1221 22nd St NW
Washington, DC
For the third annual Hospitality Pathways Conference (HPC), the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation will welcome more than 200 workforce development stakeholders and partners from Justice Agencies, Community-Based Organizations, State Restaurant Associations from 10 states of HOPES (AK, CO, CT, DE, IL, MI, OH, PA, TX, & VA), staff from CBOs and SRAs implementing Restaurant Ready in 35 states, federal agency partners, industry partners, subject matter experts, and Foundation staff.
The jam-packed agenda includes peer-networking opportunities, educational workshops, and interactive sessions to improve program implementation and increase awareness of the wide variety of career pathways in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
“Passport to Employment – Connecting to Industry”
This year’s conference will focus on the many connections to industry and employment throughout the pathway of workforce programs. Some of these opportunities and strategies include industry-aligned competencies, workplace experiences, registered apprenticeships programs, scholarships, military members, and the roles that industry partners play (mentors, career panels, mock interviews, culinary demonstrations, industry skills tours, and employment).
The purpose of the HPC is to support effective implementation and increase successful outcomes of workforce development programs while highlighting the different opportunities in hospitality for people from all backgrounds and with all levels of experience.
Goals include:
- Highlight best practices and share success stories
- Reach performance measures and increase successful outcomes
- Increase collaboration across programs, partners, and states
- Provide technical assistance, guidance, resources, and tools
- Spotlight career pathways in the hospitality sector
- Educate partners about national, government, private, program, and industry resources that lead to better workforce program implementation
- Ensure program model fidelity and compliance with regulations and best practice
Registration
Registration will be open through Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Conference Location
Washington Marriott Georgetown
1221 22nd St NW
Washington, DC
Hotel Booking
Room Rate – $183 plus tax/night
Use this link for room block reservations. Room block reservations close on July 29.
Pre-conference, Welcome Reception, and Culinary Training
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
2055 L Street NW
8th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Conference Schedule
Wednesday, August 20
12:00–4:00 pm: Pre-Conference
- Restaurant Ready 101 – CBO Session: Content overview of Restaurant Ready, effective program implementation, and participant engagement strategies
- Restaurant Ready 101 – SRA Session: Resources for developing industry partnerships and connecting with new community-based organizations
Thursday, August 21
8:30 am: Full Breakfast – Served in Foyer
9:00–9:30 am: Opening Plenary – Power: Chef Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Kitchen, Restaurants Advance Leadership Awardee
9:30–9:45 am: Break
9:45–10:45 am: Workshops Session 1 (concurrent)
- Track A. Participant Journeys: Supporting the participant experience, including specific populations such as reentry, young adults, veterans, disability, foster care, and more!
- Track B. Partnership & Collaboration: Identifying and collaborating with stakeholders to create participant pathways, connect to industry, and increase impact
- Track C. Program Design & Engagement: Delivering an effective program, recruiting and engaging participants, measuring success, and connecting participants to “what’s next”
- Track D. Operations & Sustainability: Achieving excellence, scaling what works, sustainability, and diversifying funding
10:45–11:00 am: Break
11:00 am–12:00 pm: Workshops Session 2 (concurrent)
- Session 1 breakout sessions repeated
12:00–1:15 pm: Lunch and Pathways Panel: Restaurant Ready & HOPES Participants
1:15–1:30 pm: Break
1:30–3:00 pm: Interactive Sessions
- Four tracks repeated allowing longer hands-on experiences with strategies and resources
3:00–3:15 pm: Break
3:15–4:45 pm: Interactive Sessions
- Four tracks repeated allowing longer hands-on experiences with strategies and resources
6:00–8pm: Welcome Reception and Awards Ceremony
- NRAEF Event Space 8th Floor
Friday, August 22
8:30 am: Networking Breakfast
9:00–9:30 am: Opening Plenary: Possibility – Innovative Program
9: 30 am–12:00 pm: Culinary Training with Chef Mentor
- NRAEF 8th Floor – Participants Only
9:30–10:30 am: Workshops Session 3
- Four tracks repeated
10:30–11:00 am: Break (extended, so that attendees may check out of rooms)
11:00–12:00 am: Structured Networking Opportunity
- Attendees convened by region: Attendees discuss local, state, and regional challenges, innovative solutions, emerging practices, and potential collaborations
12:00–1:00 pm: Regional Readouts – Lunch & Working Session Discussion
- Share themes and “big ideas” from regional networking
1:00–2:00 pm: Closing Plenary: Potential & Excellence – Industry & Employer Panel
2:00 pm: Conference Ends
Meet the Speakers
Additional speakers to be announced
2024 HPC – A Look Back
2025 Conference Sponsors
