Visit Montgomery Announces Launch of MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase

Visit Montgomery Announces Launch of MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase

Rockville, MD – Visit Montgomery is pleased to announce the launch of the MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase scheduled for March 30 & 31, 2025, at the Hilton Rockville, Maryland.  

Montgomery County, Maryland, is home to a robust hospitality and tourism sector, serving as a major workforce hub and think tank for the industry. Global leaders such as Marriott International, Ritz Carlton, Choice Hotels International, Inc., and Sodexo all have their headquarters in the county. Montgomery County has over 900 restaurants, 30,000 small businesses, and over one million residents of culturally diverse backgrounds.

"Montgomery County has always been a place where innovation and culture come together, and the MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase is a perfect example of that,” said County Executive Marc Elrich “This event not only celebrates our diverse food scene, but it will also support the local businesses that make our community thrive. I’m excited to see how this showcase will help drive our economy forward by spotlighting the talent and creativity that Montgomery County is known for."

Visit Montgomery through this new initiative; MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase will provide an opportunity for business and consumer connections. The event will bring the food & beverage industry and its suppliers together to learn more about new products, and participate in panel discussions and other educational breakout sessions. The conference agenda will include breakout sessions on topics relative to the needs of the industry, student-to-business open forums, and exchanges and opportunities for peer-to-peer discussions. Attendees will be invited to enjoy food and beverage tastings, learn more about local and regional products, and purchase items. 

“The MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase not only celebrates our county’s cultural diversity through food but also strengthens our commitment to education and workforce development,” said Andrew Friedson, Montgomery County Council President. “By partnering with Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College’s hospitality programs, this event provides students with hands-on experience and direct exposure to industry leaders. It’s an exciting opportunity to foster the next generation of culinary talent.”

Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools hospitality program students will have a chance to help as volunteers, and participate in breakout sessions and cooking demonstrations. Visit Montgomery is also collaborating with the MoCo Food Council and the Restaurant Association of Maryland for the Showcase.

Invited vendors include food trucks, caterers, breweries, wineries, distilleries, locally made artisans and food products, event venues, and any suppliers to the hospitality industry businesses in Montgomery County, MD. The goal of the showcase is to:

1. Engage the hospitality industry suppliers in a business expo format with the local entertainment venues, event venues, hotels, retailers, breweries and wineries, and restaurant operators/owners to connect their business and workforce needs with solutions in a trade show and educational format.
2. Promote the county’s social economy by introducing and showcasing local flavor and entrepreneurial spirit in a consumer-attended expo that celebrates Montgomery County’s diversity through cuisine and beverage tastings (food trucks, restaurants, wineries, and breweries).

“By bringing together industry leaders, local businesses, and our community, this showcase highlights the exceptional talent in our region and reinforces Montgomery County’s position as a premier destination for culinary innovation. We are proud to lead this initiative that will shape the future of our hospitality sector,” said Kelly Groff, President & CEO of Visit Montgomery.

Join this exciting celebration of Montgomery County’s hospitality industry. Keep up to date as we release information at MoCoEats.com.

Sign up to be notified when vendor registration is open.

Sign up to be notified when attendee ticket sales are open.

For sponsorship information, click here.

For more information about the event and to RSVP, please email Joe Doran, Community Engagement and Partnership Manager, jdoran@visitmontgomery.com.

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Visit Montgomery’s mission is to market and develop the county and its communities as a preferred destination for group and individual travel, thereby fostering economic growth and quality of place through tourism.

Visit Montgomery is a 501 (c) 6 non-profit organization with an oversight by a volunteer board of directors.