Registration Now Open for Hospitality, Local Food Producer Workshop
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026
Registration is now open for the “From Field to Suite: Building Local Supply Chains for Hospitality” workshop, taking place November 5, 2026, in Augusta. Hosted by the Georgia Center of Innovation, part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the workshop will bring together Georgia’s hospitality businesses, local food producers, distributors, and industry partners to explore new opportunities to strengthen local supply chains.
Through educational sessions and panel discussions, attendees will gain practical insights into how Georgia-grown and Georgia-made food products can be integrated into the hospitality supply chain. Hospitality buyers, researchers, food innovation centers, and industry experts will share firsthand perspectives on building successful partnerships, navigating purchasing requirements, and addressing common challenges, including logistics, production capacity, consistency, and food safety.
The workshop will also include dedicated networking opportunities, giving attendees the chance to connect directly with other industry professionals to build new business relationships.
“The hospitality sector is increasingly interested in sourcing local food and agricultural products to enhance guest experiences, support local communities, and differentiate their offerings; at the same time, many farmers, food producers, seafood harvesters, and value-added food businesses are looking for new market opportunities beyond traditional wholesale and retail channels,” said Georgia Center of Innovation Executive Director David Nuckolls. “This workshop will help create stronger connections between Georgia’s agricultural and hospitality industries, resulting in new business opportunities, increased local sourcing, and greater economic impact across the state.”
Featured speakers include representatives from the Georgia Restaurant Association, Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator, and What Chefs Want:
- Scott Bierman, VP of Government Affairs, Georgia Restaurant Association
- Aubrey Lenyard, Director, Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator
- John Strealy, Purchaser, What Chefs Want
Sessions will also feature representatives from PRATT Agriculture, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, DFI Solutions, and more.
The workshop will be held at Accelerate Augusta in Augusta. To register and for more details, visit Georgia.org.
