Les Dames d’Escoffier International Announces 2026 Annual Conference in Las Vegas
Featuring Keynote Speaker Elizabeth Blau
Las Vegas, NV (September 9, 2025) – Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) is excited to announce that its 2026 Annual Member Conference will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 14–16, 2026.
With the theme “The Power of Connection,” the 2026 conference promises dynamic programming, inspiring keynote speakers, and the signature camaraderie that unites LDEI members from around the world. Attendees can look forward to three unforgettable days of learning, networking, and celebrating the extraordinary contributions of women in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.
LDEI is honored to welcome Elizabeth Blau as the 2026 keynote speaker. Blau is a highly respected leader in the hospitality industry, founder and CEO of the global restaurant development firm, Blau & Associates, and a driving force behind transforming Las Vegas into a premier culinary destination. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Culinary Institute of America’s 2025 Augie Award, the Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award, and the UNLV Lee Business School’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year.
“We are thrilled to bring the LDEI members together in the vibrant and iconic city of Las Vegas,” said Stephanie Jaeger, President of the Les Dames d’Escoffier Board of Directors. “This conference will be a powerful opportunity for members to connect, collaborate, and celebrate our shared mission, and Elizabeth Blau’s visionary leadership and lifelong dedication to hospitality make her the perfect voice to inspire our members as we explore the power of connection.
Blau is also co-founder of Women’s Hospitality Initiative, a nonprofit that empowers women leaders in the hospitality industry, serves as the Global Ambassador of Food & Beverage for Forbes Travel Guide, sits on multiple industry boards, and, alongside her husband Chef Kim Canteenwalla, operates acclaimed restaurants such as Honey Salt in Las Vegas and Vancouver, Buddy V’s Ristorante at The Venetian, and Michelin Recommended Crown Block in Dallas.
“I am deeply honored to join the remarkable women of LDEI for the 2026 Annual Conference in Las Vegas,” said Blau. “This city has been my home for decades, and I look forward to sharing insights, experiences and conversations that will energize and empower women hospitality leaders from around the world in my own backyard.”
Additional details regarding registration, accommodations, and the full conference agenda will be released in the coming months.
Save the Date:
Les Dames d’Escoffier International Annual Conference
April 14–16, 2026
Las Vegas, Nevada
For more information, visit www.ldei.org or contact info@ldei.org.
About Les Dames d’Escoffier International
Les Dames is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality. The organization’s 2,800 members in 40 chapters in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Italy provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy. Since its incorporation in 1988, Les Dames chapters have raised and donated more than $10 million to educational, community non-profits, and philanthropic organizations. For more information, visit www.ldei.org and follow Les Dames on Instagram @lesdamesintl and Facebook @Les Dames d'Escoffier Int'l.
