Rising Tides Live - Takeaways From NRA 2026

Rising Tides Live - Takeaways From NRA 2026

Shawn Walchef [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/] hosted this Rising Tides Live conversation recapping the 2026  National Restaurant Association Show [https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/home/] in Chicago, where operators, creators, and founders shared the biggest lessons and moments from the industry’s largest event. The discussion explored storytelling, networking, AI, hospitality leadership, and why the real value of NRA comes from showing up, building relationships, and being ready when opportunity finds you. From escalator pitches to late-night networking and unexpected introductions, the episode highlighted how small moments and consistent effort can create long-term impact. * Storytelling Creates Opportunity – Attendees shared how practicing their story, creating content, and showing up consistently led to unexpected introductions, business conversations, and real-world opportunities throughout the show. * Relationships Matter More Than the Booths – While technology, AI, and innovation were everywhere at NRA, many of the biggest takeaways came from the connections built through meetups, dinners, after-hours events, and spontaneous conversations across the show floor. * Small Moments Can Have Long-Term Impact – From quick escalator pitches to chance encounters and late-night networking, the episode highlighted how being open, prepared, and willing to engage can turn ordinary moments into meaningful opportunities. Episode Links * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/]

Rising Tides Live - The Story You Should Share More

With Mike Bisceglia filling in for Shawn Walchef, this Rising Tides Live conversation explored the stories people often hesitate to share and why vulnerability, failure, and difficult moments can become the experiences that shape us most. Guests opened up about career setbacks, personal struggles, leadership lessons, and the pressure that comes with growth, while reflecting on how those moments ultimately created resilience, perspective, and connection. From sports radio failures and life-changing surgeries to business collapses and hard-earned lessons in hospitality, the discussion highlighted how sharing honest stories can help others feel less alone and remind us that setbacks are often part of the journey forward. * The Stories We Avoid Often Matter Most - The conversation showed how sharing difficult moments can create stronger connection and perspective for others. * Failure Often Leads to Growth - Guests reflected on how setbacks, pressure, and adversity helped shape their careers and personal lives. * Everyone Is Carrying Something - The episode highlighted the importance of empathy and remembering that every person is navigating challenges others may not see. Episode Links * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/]

National Restaurant Association Show 2026 - What To Know

Shawn Walchef  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/] hosted another Rising Tides Live conversation ahead of the National Restaurant Association Show [https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/home/] Show, this time focused on what attendees hope to take away after the event. Operators, consultants, creators, and technology leaders shared lessons from the show floor, from discovering new AI tools and restaurant tech to building real relationships through meetups, dinners, and spontaneous conversations. The biggest theme throughout the discussion was that NRA is more than a trade show. It is a place where the hospitality industry comes together to learn, connect, and create opportunities that continue long after Chicago. Listen to the replay of the latest room where the participants discussed community service and follow Cali BBQ Media to keep up with the latest and join the rooms to tell your story and have your voice heard. Every Wednesday and Friday at 10am PT, Shawn Walchef hosts the Rising Tides Live room streaming with StreamYard on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and more. Leading voices in hospitality, and otherwise, from near and far join to discuss all things business and much more.

Pitch The Tide - Teresa Gilman: CEO and Founder of Brainstack.app

In this Pitch the Tide session, Teresa Gilman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresagilman/], founder and CEO of Brainstack.app [https://www.brainstack.app/], shares how her recruiting background led to building an AI-powered hiring platform for restaurants and hospitality operators. Brainstack.app helps restaurants speed up hiring through AI interviews, soft skills assessments, and candidate screening tools that help managers quickly identify strong candidates while reducing the time spent on early-stage interviews. By allowing applicants to interview anytime through a simple QR code process, the platform creates a faster and more flexible hiring experience for both operators and job seekers. * Faster Restaurant Hiring - Brainstack.app uses AI interviews and QR code applications to help restaurants move candidates through the hiring process faster. * Hiring for Personality and Soft Skills - The platform helps operators identify communication skills, friendliness, and leadership traits before in-person interviews. * Built Around Hospitality Pain Points - The discussion highlighted how hiring and retention remain major challenges for restaurant operators of every size. Episode Links * Teresa Gilman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresagilman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresagilman/] * Brainstack app: https://www.brainstack.app/ [https://www.brainstack.app/] * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/]

Rising Tides Live - Acting On Generous Impulses

With Laura Wilber [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramwilber/] and Elizabeth Doss [https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzyink/] filling in for Shawn Walchef, this Rising Tides Live conversation explored the power of acting on generous impulses and why meaningful relationships in hospitality often begin with small moments of initiative. The discussion focused on showing up for people before expecting anything in return, creating opportunities through consistency, and building community through genuine connection. From personal stories about mentorship and career growth to lessons on networking, leadership, and service, the episode highlighted how generosity can become a long-term strategy for both business and life. * Generosity creates long-term opportunities. Small acts of helping, introducing, or supporting others often lead to stronger relationships, unexpected partnerships, and future business growth. * Consistency matters more than perfect timing. Building trust in hospitality and business comes from repeatedly showing up, following through, and staying engaged with your community over time. * Meaningful networking starts with genuine connection. The conversation emphasized that the best relationships are built by listening, being curious, and finding ways to provide value before asking for anything in return. Episode Links * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/] * Laura Wilber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramwilber/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramwilber/] * Elizabeth Doss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzyink/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzyink/]