Sacramento Hosts Smart Meetings Epicurean Experience
Event professionals gather in Sacramento to explore culinary innovation and sustainable hospitality practices.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Does high-quality catering significantly improve the impact and memorability of a professional event?
The Smart Meetings Epicurean Experience brought industry leaders to Sacramento for a three-day summit focused on catering and banquet management. Venues including the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel and SAFE Credit Union Convention Center hosted discussions on evolving event standards.
Why it matters
The event highlights the importance of local sourcing and sustainable hospitality in the modern meetings industry. It connects national event planners with Sacramento's food and wine community to foster stronger industry relationships.
The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center provides 508,500 sq. ft. of event space, complemented by 126,000 sq. ft. at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. A street block party featured a total of 10 local chefs.
The players
Oliver Ridgeway
A prominent chef who participated in the event discussions regarding catering practices.
Charlie Palmer
A well-known chef and restaurateur who made a guest appearance at the summit.
Visit Sacramento
The local tourism organization that coordinated the 13th Street block party and industry event.
The details
Event professionals participated in panel discussions with renowned chefs to address catering best practices, including managing banquet orders in the era of Ozempic. The summit featured guest appearances by Charlie and Courtland Palmer alongside a local block party on 13th Street.
Timeline
The Smart Meetings Epicurean Experience took place in October 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The conference highlights the ongoing evolution of banquet event order management in response to the prevalence of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. This shift marks a significant change in how planners approach catering logistics and menu design for professional gatherings.
The event showcases the city's hospitality infrastructure for future professional bookings and large-scale public events. Residents may have experienced temporary closures on 13th Street during the block party activities.
The takeaway
Culinary events like this emphasize the growing intersection of local food sourcing and professional event strategy. Attendees gain actionable insights into adapting menus and catering services to accommodate changing dietary needs and sustainability expectations.
Further reading
For more on the local culinary scene, visit the Sacramento Food and Drink section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Smart Meetings.
Live Poll
Does high-quality catering significantly improve the impact and memorability of a professional event?
