The Welcome Conference
Share, Inspire, Connect
When we started the Welcome Conference back in 2014, it was just an idea: what if there was a space where hospitality professionals could share ideas, inspire one another, and connect to form community? Since then, it’s grown into something much bigger — a celebration of generosity, connection, and the belief that how you make people feel is just as important as the product you serve. It’s a day filled with stories that move you, ideas that stretch you, and people who remind you why you got into this work in the first place.
Once a year we gather to listen, to learn, to laugh, and to leave better than we came.
“The Welcome Conference has run for almost a decade... What started as a way to gather restaurateurs and other front-of-house staff has evolved to include leaders and lessons from other industries. I knew I was supposed to leave feeling inspired. I didn’t expect it to feel so... nice.”
Fast Company
What is Welcome?
A one-day, single-stage conference exploring the power of hospitality in restaurants and beyond.
Hosted annually in New York City at Lincoln Center.
Features a select group of guest speakers each year — from restaurateurs & chefs, to leaders in business, sports, psychology, magic, music, and more.
The Welcome audience includes professionals from every industry (not just restaurants!) who believe in caring as much for the people they work with and serve as they do about the products they sell.
Hosted by Will Guidara who, along with his team at Unreasonable Hospitality, curates the speakers each year.
Tickets range from $245-$395 (plus processing fees) and includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and plenty of coffee to get you through the day.
Tickets sell out… FAST. We’re honored to have built a loyal community that returns year after year to reconnect and recharge. We share this only to set expectations — as much as we wish we could welcome everyone, demand always exceeds supply. Just know: we’ll do our very best to get as many of you in as we can.
Think of Welcome as a more enlightening, fill-your-gas-tank, inspirational day as opposed to a more tactical, typical conference.