AN INTERNATIONAL CATERERS ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE

Rise in the

harbor.

ASCEND is more than another industry conference. It is a call to rise —
where catering, events, and modern hospitality write the next chapter
together, in Boston.

July 18–21, 2027 Boston, Massachusetts Limited to 230 seats
Imagine · Build · Serve · Become High-value. High-touch. Built for you. Hosted by the International Caterers Association Where bold conversations happen Imagine · Build · Serve · Become High-value. High-touch. Built for you. Hosted by the International Caterers Association Where bold conversations happen

YEAR TWO

Born in Savannah.
Called higher in
Boston.

In 2026, ICA gathered the most dynamic minds in catering, hospitality, and live events at the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah. ASCEND was never meant to be “just another conference.” It was designed by respected industry leaders to challenge, inspire, and evolve how we think about hospitality.

In 2027 we continue that work in Boston — a city that understands ritual, table, and place. Three unforgettable days of connection, education, celebration, and real hospitality for those who have been leading for decades and those building what comes next.

“This is where bold conversations happen, new ideas take shape, and the future of our industry gets written, together.”
ICA · ASCEND Partnership Guide

Who belongs in the room

Owners, culinary directors, sales leaders, operations leads, designers, and partners who want more than slides — and are ready to rise to the occasion.

Not a trade show

Intimate by design. High-trust community. When you are in the room, you are part of the conversation — not shouting from the sidelines.

FOUR GUIDING PILLARS

Every session, every moment, every partnership is rooted in intention.

01

Imagine

Creative thinking, bold ideas, and visionary conversations that redefine what is possible in catering, events, and hospitality.

02

Build

Intentional systems, thoughtful strategies, and people-centered leadership to grow stronger teams and lasting, values-driven businesses.

03

Serve

Elevated hospitality through service training, team culture, leadership development, and operational excellence at every level.

04

Become

Personal and professional growth that empowers you to lead with purpose, inspire others, and shape the future of our industry.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Immersive education. Elevated design. Real connection.

Strategic content

Sessions that move revenue, operations, team culture, and guest experience — not generic keynotes recycled from other industries.

Hospitality you can feel

Hands-on service work, table craft, and the front-of-house skills that turn a meal into a memory.

Signature evening

The crown jewel: an immersive night that blends food, design, storytelling, and celebration into one unforgettable experience.

Wellness in the work

Space to reset. High-demand environments require leaders who can stay calm, present, and well — we build that in.

Partner conversations

Founding and presenting partners sit inside the program, not on the perimeter. GROW and ICA continue the educational partnership that launched year one.

Lifelong rooms

The ICA family is the point. Leave with peers you will text when the next impossible event lands on a Tuesday.

WORKING PROGRAM

Four days. One standard.

Arrive & open the table

Registration, welcome reception, and a first-night gathering designed for conversation — not name-badge theater.

Imagine + Build

Opening plenary, strategy labs on systems and growth, and afternoon working sessions on people-centered leadership.

Serve

Service intensive, operations excellence, and the hospitality segment with hands-on table work. Evening: ASCEND Signature Event.

Become

Closing conversations on purpose and succession, commitments for the year ahead, and a send-off lunch before departures.

Detailed speakers and session titles will be released after the 2027 call for proposals. 2026 set the standard; 2027 raises it.

THE CITY

Boston knows how to host

After Savannah, we stay in history — cobblestones, live oaks, and a culinary culture that takes the table seriously. Conference home: a historic luxury property in the heart of downtown, announced with hotel block details in late 2026.

ICA Headquarters · Atlanta, GA 30309
410-931-8100 · info@internationalcaterers.org

REGISTRATION

Give your future self a room worth walking into.

ASCEND 2026 sold as an intimate, members-first experience. 2027 will open in waves: ICA members first, then partners, then a short public list. Join the waitlist to be first in line.

    Official 2027 dates, venue, and pricing will be published by the International Caterers Association.

    PARTNERSHIP

    Don’t shout from the sidelines.

    Year-round visibility on ICA channels, pre-conference campaigns, on-site immersion, and the Signature Evening. If you belong in this conversation, there is a place for you here.

    TALK WITH ICA