Groowe Groowe BETA / Newsroom
⏱ News is delayed by 15 minutes. Sign in for real-time access. Sign in

Questex’s Vibe Conference Unites On-Premise Beverage Leaders, Delivers Record Performance and Industry-Shaping Insights

globenewswire.com
RL Red Lobster was listed as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, which experienced record engagement and attendance. No specific sentiment towards Red Lobster was expressed in the article. AMC AMC Theatres was mentioned as an attendee at the Vibe Conference, an event that achieved record performance and delivered industry-shaping insights. The article does not offer specific sentiment for AMC. AAL American Airlines was listed as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, which reported record sponsor engagement and attendance. The article does not provide specific sentiment towards American Airlines. CCL Carnival was mentioned as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, an event that saw record performance and industry-shaping insights. The article does not express specific sentiment for Carnival. MAR Marriott was mentioned as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, which reported record performance and industry insights. No specific sentiment towards Marriott was expressed. DRI Darden Restaurants was listed as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, an event that saw record sponsor engagement and attendance. The article does not offer specific sentiment for Darden. IHG IHG was mentioned as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, an event that saw record performance and industry-shaping insights. The article does not express specific sentiment for IHG. UAL United Airlines was listed as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, which achieved record sponsor engagement and attendance. The article does not provide specific sentiment towards United Airlines. TXRH Texas Roadhouse was mentioned as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, which reported record performance and industry insights. No specific sentiment towards Texas Roadhouse was expressed. AUB Auberge Resorts was listed as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, an event that saw record sponsor engagement and attendance. The article does not provide specific sentiment towards Auberge Resorts. LYV Live Nation was mentioned as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, which achieved record performance and delivered industry-shaping insights. The article does not provide specific sentiment towards Live Nation. RCL Royal Caribbean was mentioned as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, an event that saw record performance and industry-shaping insights. The article does not express specific sentiment for Royal Caribbean. MTN Vail Resorts was listed as an attending company at the Vibe Conference, which achieved record sponsor engagement and attendance. The article does not provide specific sentiment towards Vail Resorts.

Questex’s Vibe Conference Unites On-Premise Beverage Leaders, Delivers Record Performance and Industry-Shaping Insights NEW YORK, March 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questex’s Vibe Conference, the only event exclusively dedicated to the on-premise national account beverage industry across restaurants, hotels, casinos, cruise lines, airlines and concessionaires, had its highest sponsor engagement and attendance since its inception 17 years ago.

Held February 23–25 at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, the 2026 conference welcomed a record number of attendees including national and regional chain restaurants, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, casinos, and concessionaire with operator attendance up year over year and 30% of attendees experiencing Vibe for the first time — a strong indicator of the event’s continued expansion and relevance across the beverage ecosystem.

This year’s strategic focus centered on engaging new national and regional on-premise operators with 10+ units — a segment that saw notable growth. Attending companies included industry powerhouses such as Applebee’s, Red Lobster, AMC Theatres, American Airlines, Carnival, Sodexo, Marriott, Darden, Hyatt, Delaware North, IHG, United Airlines, Texas Roadhouse, Auberge Resorts, Live Nation, P.F. Chang’s, Royal Caribbean, and Vail Resorts, among many others.

Guided by the theme “Future Forward,” Vibe delivered a highly curated agenda designed to equip beverage leaders with actionable insights across AI, customer loyalty, beverage programming, flavor trends, menu strategy and consumer behavior to drive profitability and innovation.

“This year’s Vibe Conference demonstrated the strength and resilience of the on-premise beverage community,” said Brandy Rand, Vice President/Market Leader, Hospitality Group, Questex. “With record operator growth, an influx of new companies, and a powerful lineup of C-suite leaders, Vibe continues to be the industry’s most important platform for beverage strategy, connection and growth.”

Elevated Programming with Industry-Defining Voices

A renewed focus on fresh perspectives and top-of-mind content resulted in one of the strongest speaker lineups in Vibe history, featuring influential executives and thought leaders including:

Throughout the three-day program, attendees participated in education workshops, research sessions, curated tastings and high-level networking experiences designed to foster deal-making and collaboration.

Giving Back to the Industry

CORE: Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE), the 501(c)(3) national nonprofit founded by members of the beverage community and the official charity partner of the Vibe Conference, once again played an important role onsite. Through activations, auctions, and attendee generosity, the Vibe community came together to support families in the food and beverage industry facing terminal illness or sudden loss — reinforcing the industry’s deep commitment to taking care of its own.

About Vibe Conference

Bringing together national and regional chain restaurant, hotel, cruise, airline, and concessionaire beverage executives with the suppliers shaping the market, Vibe delivers the industry’s most innovative conference program. Each year, the application-only event features ROI-driven content, curated tastings, and exclusive experiences designed to spark profitable partnerships and inspire the future of on-premise beverage programs.

About Questex

Questex fuels exceptional business connections—where every buyer and seller interaction matters. Through live events enriched with data insights and active year-round digital communities, we deliver measurable results. It happens here.

Media Contact

Michelle Osborne

Questex

mosborne@questex.com

617.219.8305