State of the Plate 2026 Program Overview

Talent, Tech, & Tomorrow's Table
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 10:00 AM

The day opens with the next generation of culinary talent competing live on the main stage and closes with a vision for where the industry is headed — and how to get there.

Event Schedule

• 9:30 AM - Doors Open Coffee and Light Breakfast Served
• 10:00 AM - Ask the Agencies, Industry Partners Exhibit Showcase, & DC ProStart Competition
• 11:30 AM - Lunch
• 12:00 PM - Annual Meeting Program: Board Elections, RAMW Allied Member of the Year Finalists Announced, President and CEO Report, Talent, Tech, & Tomorrow's Table Panels
• 2:30 PM - ProStart Awards Ceremony
• 3:00 PM - Program Concludes

Program Overview

Talent: Meet The Next Generation’s Culinary Stars. Before the first panel begins, the main stage belongs to DC's future restaurant leaders. High school ProStart teams from Ballou, Roosevelt, and Cardozo will compete in live culinary and restaurant management challenges for scholarships from the Culinary Institute of America and a chance to represent the District at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore this April.

Powered by RAMW's Educated Eats Foundation — which has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships since 2004 — the DC ProStart Invitational is a powerful reminder that the industry's greatest ingredient has always been its people.

Tech and Trends: What's Transforming the Industry. Artificial intelligence is reshaping how restaurants operate. Diners are changing how and what they eat — from GLP-1-influenced menus to shifting spending habits. And the Greater Washington dining economy is heading somewhere new. The tools and the trends are evolving fast, and operators who understand them will have a decisive edge. This session cuts through the noise to show you what's working now and what's coming next, with a focus on practical applications for restaurants of every size.

Tomorrow's Table: Set It Today. The industry isn't the same — but neither are the opportunities. New grant programs and low-interest loans are opening doors for operators ready to invest in growth. And a once-in-a-generation wave of marquee events is heading to the District — America's 250th anniversary, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, the 2027 NFL Draft, and more — bringing national audiences and major marketing opportunities with them. This session is about getting on the inside track now so your business is positioned to capture what's ahead.

Annual Meeting Essentials. Also on the agenda: the release of RAMW's 2026 Legislative Agenda, the latest member survey findings and industry research, board elections, and the announcement of the RAMMYS Allied Member of the Year Finalists.
 

All Day Activations

New This Year — Ask the Agencies
For the first time at the Annual Meeting, a dozen District government agencies will be on hand for one-on-one conversations with restaurant operators. Whether it's a permit that's been stuck, a licensing question no one can seem to answer, a compliance issue you need clarity on, or a new business venture you're trying to get off the ground — bring your toughest questions and sit down directly with the people who can help resolve them. No runaround, no 311 queue. Come with questions, leave with solutions.

Industry Partners: Your Business Resource Hub
More than two dozen Allied Members and industry partners will be on the exhibitor floor throughout the day — from payment processors and insurance providers to food and beverage suppliers, technology companies, workforce solutions, and more. These are the trusted companies that serve the restaurant industry every day, many offering preferred pricing and services exclusively for RAMW members. Whether you're looking to cut costs, find a new vendor, or explore a partnership, the connections you need are in the room.

Tickets: $95 per person
Ticket includes full program access and lunch. Members: Use your promo code for $45 off ticket price. Didn't receive it? Contact us to request it.

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