Catersource 2025: The Future of Catering is Here
Another Catersource + The Special Event is in the books, and this year’s gathering in Florida didn’t just meet expectations—it shattered them. Over the course of an action-packed week, caterers, chefs, and industry leaders came together to discuss the trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of events.
According to the conference site,”the energy was high last week during the event in Fort Lauderdale, FL. From all over the globe, event and catering professionals gathered to learn, connect, and get inspired. . . . Impactful education sessions, an animated tradeshow floor with exciting displays and . . . some dazzling keynote sessions created a week full of connection and community, as well as inspiration, tips, tricks, and trends.”
Galley had feet on the ground at the event, and, the big takeaway? The catering industry is changing—fast.
Faced with rising costs, intense competition, and increasingly complex client demands, catering teams are realizing that digitization and automation aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essential for survival. The conversations happening on the show floor, in breakout sessions, and at networking events all pointed to the same conclusion: The teams that embrace technology will pull ahead, while those that resist will strugegle to keep up.
An Industry at a Crossroads
Caterers at this year’s show made one thing clear: manual processes are holding them back. Many are still juggling with spreadsheets, disconnected tools, and time-consuming workarounds—practices that simply don’t cut it in today’s high-stakes environment.
One recurring theme throughout the event was the realization that no single platform can truly “do it all.” There’s a growing awareness that catering businesses need specialized solutions to handle distinct parts of their operations—commerce tools (bookings, BEOs, proposals) on one side and culinary and operational tools (recipe management, inventory, production planning) on the other. Trying to force everything into one bloated system often leads to inefficiencies and frustration.
AI and Automation: Game Changers
If there was one technology that stole the spotlight this year, it was Artificial Intelligence: AI. Rather than just having theoretical conversations about this tech, attendees, instead, got to see firsthand how AI-powered solutions are already eliminating manual work, reducing errors, and improving decision-making.
Not to brag, but one AI tool in particular generated more than its share of buzz: our very own Galley Assist. Those who got a demo were impressed by its ability to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and provide real-time insights. The takeaway was that AI is truly creating a fundamental shift in how catering teams manage their businesses.
The Power of Smart Integration
Beyond AI, another hot topic was seamless integrations—specifically, the ability for sales and operations tools to work together effortlessly. One standout example at the conference was the integration between Curate and Galley.
Rather than forcing teams to choose between a great sales platform or a powerful operations tool, this integration delivers the best of both worlds—helping teams move seamlessly from booking to execution. It’s a clear sign that the future of catering technology is about connecting best-in-class solutions to create a more efficient workflow.
What’s Next?
If Catersource 2025 made one thing clear, it’s that the industry is at a turning point. Some teams will embrace change, adopt smarter tools, and gain a competitive edge. Others will hesitate and find themselves struggling to keep up.
As the event came to a close, one phrase kept echoing throughout the halls:
"If you’re serious about your business, you need to be looking at the right technology."
The question is: Will you lead the change or get left behind?
For those ready to take the next step, the tools and strategies are already here. The future of catering isn’t coming—it’s happening now. 🚀
