Topic:

Serving Tomorrow: Leading through Industry Challenges – Michelle Korsmo

National Restaurant Association Presidential Address: Navigating Industry Challenges in a Changing Landscape

As the restaurant industry continues to evolve in unprecedented ways, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Rising costs, workforce challenges, changing consumer preferences, and technological disruption are reshaping our landscape. In this address by National Restaurant Association CEO Michelle Korsmo, we will explore these pressing issues and outline strategic approaches for industry leaders to not only survive but thrive in this new era.

Michelle will examine how market conditions have impacted food costs and operational expenses, creating margin pressures across all segments. Topics will also include the persistent labor shortages affecting service quality and operational capacity, along with strategies for employee retention and development. The need for adaptation will be driven by accelerating consumer shifts toward digital ordering, delivery services, and experiential dining, requiring restaurants to adapt their business models.

Michelle will outline the National Restaurant Association’s policy priorities and how we’re advocating for regulatory relief to support industry recovery and growth. This talk will chart a course through these challenges and discover opportunities to reinvent, reimagine, and revitalize the restaurant experience for generations to come

BIO:

Michelle Korsmo is president and chief executive officer of the National Restaurant Association and chief executive officer of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

In this role, Korsmo is responsible for delivering value to the Association’s members, the 52 state association partners, and the restaurant industry.

With Korsmo’s leadership, the Association continues to pursue its vision for a thriving restaurant and foodservice community through strong operations; risk mitigation and talent development; advancing and protecting business vitality; and driving knowledge and collaboration.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises over 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.7 million employees.

Prior to joining the Association, Korsmo was president and chief executive officer of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), the national trade association representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry. Korsmo led WSWA through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the industry was deemed essential and its workforce had the tools it needed to adapt to shifting business channels. Korsmo focused WSWA on defending the state-based regulatory structure and promoting the value of the wholesale tier.

Previously, Korsmo served seven years as head of the American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association for real estate settlement services and the title insurance industry. Under her leadership ALTA created an industry standard for compliance management in response to the 2008 housing crisis. Additionally, ALTA doubled both its membership and revenues, and tripled fundraising for its industry PAC during Korsmo’s tenure.

Prior to ALTA, Korsmo served as executive vice president of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation. She was previously deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Labor. Following her education at North Dakota State University, Korsmo started her career as a business owner in her home state of North Dakota, where she built a public advocacy and political consulting firm representing a consortium of organizations before the North Dakota Legislature.