Oklahoma Restaurant Convention & Expo
Date/Time
9/2/2015 - 9/3/2015
Event Type(s)
Event
Event Description
Online registration is now closed. You may register onsite next week. 
Isn't it time for your next big find? The Oklahoma Restaurant Convention & Expo is just the place to discover new products and trends, whether you’re a new operator or a veteran.
 
This annual industry event is the largest hospitality related trade show in the state of Oklahoma and the most important event for foodservice and lodging industry professionals.
 
With more than 6,000 in attendance, the event features hundreds of exhibits,educational sessions, an opening party and competitions, including the ever-popular ORA Culinary Cook-off and ORA Cocktail Shakedown.
 
Join us for the 2015 Oklahoma Restaurant Convention & Expo and stay ahead of the competition!

Plan your visit!
  • View the Interactive Floorplan
  • See the Schedule
  • Make Hotel Accommodations
  • Get ready to party at the Opening Night Networking Reception
  • Register and get your Badges
  • Tell everyone on social media that you're coming and use the hashtag #ORAShow2015!
  • Note that - NEW THIS YEAR! - the ORA has arranged for FREE parking in the surface lots located on the SW corner of the Cox Convention Center. The entrance to the lot is directly across from the Myriad Gardens on the south side of Reno.
  • Questions?
    • Exhibitors: Contact Linda Etherton by email or phone, (405) 942-8181 or (800) 375-8181.
    • Sponsors: Contact Patti Colley by email at  or phone, (405) 942-8181 or (800) 375-8181.

This is a private industry tradeshow open only to those in the foodservice and hospitality industry. Anyone under 18 and suppliers or vendors not exhibiting in the show are not allowed on the show floor. 

 
Location
Cox Convention Center
1 Myriad Gardens
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

click here for Google Maps
Contact Person
Linda Etherton
(phone: (405) 942-6462)
Details
The Oklahoma Restaurant Convention & Expo is sponsored by the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and held in partnership with the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association.


Schedule
 
Wednesday, September 2
Floor open 10:00am - 5:00pm
10:00am     Welcome and Ribbon Cutting by Lt. Governor Todd Lamb

Join us as our special guest opens the 2015 Oklahoma Restaurant Convention & Expo!
10:00am     Cocktail Shakedown Heats Begin
10:30am     Culinary Cook-off - Heat 1
11am - 12pm     Education Session: Give Me a Break: Wage & Hour Pitfalls for Restaurant Owners
presented by McAfee Taft Attorneys Charles Plumb and Elizabeth Bowersox

Labor laws are complicated. Wage and hour issues are a hot-button issue for the media. Are you correctly calculating overtime for tipped employees? Do you meet the legal requirements to take a tip credit? Are you susceptible to a claim that employees are working off the clock? Are you familiar with the DOL rules concerning exempt employees and overtime? Lawsuits against restaurants over issues like these are at a record high. Learn how to avoid the most common wage and hour mistakes and protect your business.
12:00noon Culinary Cook-off - Heat 2
1:00-2:00pm     Education Session: Financial Basics to Make Your Restaurant Successful
presented by Robert Mogelnicki, Owner MOGE Development Company

​It's more important than ever these days to turn profit in the restaurant business. How do you know if you’re making money? This session will feature tips on operating internal controls and tax incentive programs, plus tips on controlling theft and pilferage.​ 
1:30pm Culinary Cook-off - Heat 3
3:00pm     Culinary Cook-off - Heat 4
5:00pm     Opening Night Networking Reception
Bricktown Brewery, Lower Level 
   
Thursday, September 3
Floor open 10:00am - 4:00pm
8:30am     ORA Board of Directors Meeting
9am-2:30pm     Special ServSafe Sanitation Certification Course
presented by National Restaurant Association Certified Instructor, Andrew Arvay, FMP

On Thursday, September 3 from 9am to 2:30pm, the ORA will offer (for the first time ever!) a special ServSafe Sanitation Certification course. 

The National Restaurant Association's (NRA) ServSafe program has been acknowledged as the leading training and fully accredited certification program for nearly 40 years. This one-day course keeps employees in check with health department regulations. 

Upon receipt of your completed online registration form and payment, the ORA will mail you the textbook. The last hour of the class is dedicated to taking the necessary certification exam, which includes 90 multiple-choice questions. You must score 75% or greater to pass the exam. Registration will no longer be available after August 25, 2015. ORA reserves the right to reschedule this class if a minimum of 12 total pre-registrations is not confirmed. As class size is limited, registration is on a first come, first serve basis. 

Pricing (includes text book, review session, exam, and lunch): $110/person​.
10:00am Culinary Cook-off - Semi-final 1
11:00am Culinary Cook-off - Semi-final 2
1:00pm Culinary Cook-off - Finals
4:10pm Exhibitor Move-out (all displays must be removed by 10:00am Friday)
   



Opening Night Networking Reception
The reception will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on the lower level of the Bricktown Brewery. Shuttle transportation will be provided to and from the Cox Center. The reception includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and great networking. Tickets are $20.

Hotel Accommodations
Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel 
1 N. Broadway Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
PH 405-235-2780 • TF 888-627-8416 • online
$119 single/double rate
Cut-off date: 8/17/15

Badges and Pricing
Once you’ve registered, you will receive a confirmation email that will include a personalized QR code at the bottom of the message. Please be sure that your images are displayed for this particular email. This QR code is unique to you, and contains all the information we'll use to print your badge at the Oklahoma Restaurant Convention & Expo on September 2 and 3. 

To receive your badge, you will need to either
  • print the email with the QR code out and bring it with you to the convention, or
  • be able to produce the email with the QR code on your smart phone.
     
Members
• On or Before August 25 - Complimentary (online only)
• After August 25 – $10/badge

Non-Members
• On or Before August 25 - $10/badge
• After August 25 – $15/badge

 
Online registration is now closed. You may register onsite next week. 
 
Outlook/vCalendar/Google
Click on the icon next to the date(s) to add to your calendar:
9/2/2015 - 9/3/2015  


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