Bar & Restaurant Expo 2026: Celebrating Utah’s Positive Alcohol Responsibility Programs and Progress

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

By Scott Kraft, Technology Producer – TechTalk, Richard Berk, Executive Producer

For archive searchers: The Nightclub & Bar Show evolved into the Bar & Restaurant Expo back in 2022—still the top spot for hospitality insights!

Utah Channel 3’s Scott Kraft and Richard Berk are set for the Bar & Restaurant Expo March 23-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. In its 40th year, this dynamic event unites pros to embrace innovations that enhance operations and guest experiences—perfect timing to spotlight Utah’s exemplary responsible alcohol initiatives.

Utah excels with programs that prioritize health, safety, and moderation. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) leads with a service-oriented model, funding education and prevention while ensuring responsible availability. Mandatory Responsible Beverage Service training equips licensees to prevent overserving, and community efforts like Parents Empowered have driven youth alcohol use to all-time lows through strong parental involvement and awareness.

Additional wins include the 24/7 Sobriety Program’s high compliance rates, supporting recovery and accountability, plus advocacy from groups promoting smart, balanced policies. These efforts contribute to Utah’s top rankings: lowest per capita consumption, minimal binge drinking, and declining alcohol-related harms.

We’ll be on the lookout at the expo for complementary technologies—training software, breathalyzers, harm-reduction tools, and entertainment options that align with Utah’s proactive culture. These showcase how responsibility fosters a thriving hospitality scene.

No past-coverage regrets here—we’re ready to report fully. Utah’s initiatives demonstrate that thoughtful approaches yield real benefits for everyone. Let’s see how the expo inspires even more positive momentum!

Scott Kraft is the Technology Producer for Utah Channel 3. He is a degreed Electrical Engineer that applies engineering testing/procedures to products that are of technical interest to those participating in sporting activities in Southern Utah.

Richard Berk is the Executive Producer for Utah Channel 3. Richard’s field of expertise is the medical field and covers medical conventions when he is not producing Utah Channel 3 content. Richard also shares the passion of outdoor sports as do all members of BHTV.