This Exec Builds Massive Industry Events Like The National Restaurant Show. Here’s His Strategy

Marcus Viscidi, Vice President of Sales for Informa, oversees industry gatherings like Create and the National Restaurant Association Show. By bringing the right operators and partners together, he helps restaurant brands connect, learn, and grow.

Watch now to learn how emerging brands grow outside their four walls, why connection beats convenience, and how the right event can change a business.

Sponsored by:

• TOAST AllIn1 Restaurant POS

Chapters:

[02:55] - The Toughest Year in Restaurant History

[05:14] - Why Live Events Are Not Going Away

[09:15] - Why Events Felt Validating After COVID

[14:59] - The Roadmap for 2026

[17:55] - Why This Industry Is Worth It

SPONSORS:

RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST —

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

• Toast AllIn1 Restaurant POS

Episode Links:

Marcus Viscidi LinkedIn

Informa LinkedIn

Informa twitter/x

Informa Instagram

Key Takeaways:

Events Help Operators Level Up: Marcus Viscidi believes the most valuable industry insights are found outside the four walls of a restaurant. At events, emerging brands gain inspiration, community, and the rare chance to learn from peers facing the same challenges.

Designing Gatherings With Intention: Informa builds events around who is in the room. From AI-powered matchmaking to curated formats like speed networking, Marcus ensures operators and vendors make meaningful connections rather than hoping for chance encounters.

The Right Room Drives Real Growth: Whether it is Restaurant Leadership Conference, the National Restaurant Association Show, or Create, Marcus encourages operators to choose events that match their stage of growth. A few focused days with the right people can shape the entire next quarter.

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ABOUT MARCUS VISCIDI —

Marcus Viscidi is Vice President of Sales for Informa, where he oversees foodservice conferences including Create, Restaurant Leadership Conference, FS Tech, and the National Restaurant Association Show. He focuses on understanding audiences and designing experiences that help operators and suppliers make smarter decisions and build meaningful relationships. Marcus is known for creating environments where the right people meet at the right time, a belief that guides his work across the foodservice industry.

ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —

Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Toast co-founder Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.

Published by Entrepreneur Media

Produced by Cali BBQ Media