Tips for Attending TSE + Catersource 2025
Heading to Fort Lauderdale for Catersource + The Special Event 2025 next month? It’s time to start creating your game plan for your time onsite! With three days packed with education, networking, and celebratory events, making the most of the experience is essential to get the best return on your investment.
Whether you’re a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, navigating a bustling conference like this can be overwhelming without a solid strategy. From prioritizing must-attend session to exploring the expansive tradeshow floor, every moment presents an opportunity to learn, meet new people, and grow your business.
Here are my top tips for maximizing your time at Catersource + The Special Event and ensuring you leave feeling inspired and empowered for the year ahead.
Pack for comfort
Though it’s February, expect temperatures in Fort Lauderdale to range from the low 60s to the low 80s. For many people, that means pulling out summer clothes and getting ready to soak in the warmth! Pack layers to keep you warm in the conference center and on your flights, but you can probably leave your winter coat at home.
If you’ve been to conferences in the past, you know how much you’ll end up walking! Bring comfortable shoes and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated through the day.
Other conference essentials to stow in your carry-on:
Chargers for your phone, tablet, laptop, etc. (bring extras!)
Portable power bank
Notebook and pens
Business cards
A lightweight backpack or tote bag
Your favorite snacks
Make sure to review the conference’s Showcasing Events to determine whether you need to bring specific attire, like themed garb for the Opening Night Party or a glam fit for the Closing Night Celebration!
Build your custom onsite itinerary
Between education sessions, special events, and a dynamic exhibit hall, there’s so much to do while attending Catersource + The Special Event! Avoid wasting time and dealing with decision fatigue while onsite by creating your conference inventory in advance.
START WITH EDUCATION
For most attendees, the premier education provided by industry experts is the biggest draw to the conference. From up-and-coming trends to innovative business strategies, event professionals can learn new ways to elevate their companies and stand out. Review this year’s schedule of educational sessions and highlight the ones you don’t want to miss, prioritizing topics that will have a meaningful impact on your business.
Head over to your calendar and block off your must-see educational sessions, keeping a list of sessions you’d like to attend (but aren’t essential) on hand to squeeze in later.
CHECK OUT THE EVENTS
Most of the Showcasing Events are scheduled for maximum attendance, so they don’t compete with the tradeshow or education. The opening and closing keynotes are both worthwhile sessions, so make sure to add those to your calendar. Parties and social events are scheduled for the evening, so you have time to freshen up after a day in the convention hall.
But don’t overlook the midday events in the exhibit hall, like the Tablescape Competition, DICED Competition (a la Food Network’s Chopped), and the Beverage Garden Tasting Experience (tickets required). If you want to check any of these out, make sure they are on your calendar!
FILL IN THE GAPS
Your conference itinerary should be filling out! Now, you can look at the gaps in your schedule to see if you can fit in any of those extra educational sessions. It’s also worth setting aside at least an hour to explore the many exhibits on the tradeshow floor (bring your business cards!). For those working while onsite, you can also block out down time to retreat to your hotel room or a quiet corner to check emails and make calls.
Prep your post-conference strategy now
As you’re thinking about your time onsite, think ahead to how you’ll transition back to “business as usual” when you return home. In addition to countless memories, you’ll bring home a ton of new contacts and pages full of actionable business strategies. Heading right back into the grind can make all of those valuable takeaways vanish, so consider padding your time off with an extra day or two to soak in all that you learned.
Before getting back into the day-to-day, here are some ways to maximize your return:
CONNECT WITH YOUR NEW CONTACTS
You might not feel up to sending dozens of emails the day you get back, but at the very least, hop onto social media and follow everyone you met. Go through the business cards you collected and make a plan to reach out over the next week or so. Don’t let these new connections fade!
CREATE A PLAN OF ACTION
Go through your notes and reflect on everything you learned from the education sessions you attended. Ask yourself:
What can be implemented right away?
What will have the most impact on your business?
For items that can be implemented right away, make it happen! For everything else (especially the most impactful takeaways), create a plan to accomplish them. For example, if you’re motivated to ramp up your PR, consider the steps you need to take and build out a timeline for completion. If you have a team supporting you, think about how you can delegate some of the work to make quicker progress — for example, you might have a virtual assistant who can help you research media outlets for PR outreach.
REST
Last but not least, get some rest when you return home! Before heading back into the office, give yourself a break to catch up on sleep, hydrate, and reset. Conferences are incredible experiences, but they can be physically, socially, and mentally taxing. Make time to recharge afterward to avoid burning out
Attending Catersource + The Special Event 2025 is an investment in your business and your professional growth — make the most of it! With the right preparation, you can set yourself up for success before, during, and after your conference experience.\
If you want to connect with me, come to one of my sessions and say hi:
Fact Versus Fiction: The Realities of the Wedding Industry Today (Panel)
Wednesday, February 26 — 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Grand Ballroom G
Trend-Setting with Lighting & Decor: Creating the Offerings Clients Are Looking For
Tuesday, February 25 — 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Grand Ballroom C
