In this special TechBytes episode, host Rob Grimes welcomes Abby Lorden, Vice President of Hospitality Technology at EnsembleIQ and co-founder of the Restaurant Technology Network, to preview what’s ahead at MURTEC 2026 — the Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference – in Las Vegas from March 9-11.
As the hospitality industry enters another fast-moving year of innovation, Lorden explains how MURTEC continues to evolve as the place where operators, technologists, and business leaders gather to understand how technology is reshaping restaurants. She notes that while industry challenges like speed of service, personalization, and order accuracy remain constant, the tools used to address them—especially AI—are transforming rapidly.
A major highlight for 2026 is the debut of the AI Summit at MURTEC, a dedicated day focused on helping restaurant executives understand how to approach artificial intelligence strategically. Rather than diving into technical jargon, the summit aims to provide practical education on data readiness, leadership alignment, and real-world applications. Through case studies and operator stories, attendees will gain insight into what’s working, what’s not, and how organizations can begin implementing AI in manageable ways.
Beyond AI, the conversation explores the broader theme guiding this year’s event: connection. From curated exhibit-hall tours and structured networking sessions to interactive experiences designed to encourage conversation, the conference is intentionally structured to help attendees form meaningful relationships with peers and technology partners.
Lorden also highlights the diversity of attendees, noting that roughly half come from technical roles while the other half represent operations, marketing, finance, and other business disciplines—reflecting how deeply technology now touches every part of the restaurant enterprise.
With keynote speakers, real-world case studies, and sessions covering everything from vendor negotiations to scaling innovation across franchise systems, MURTEC aims to provide actionable insights that leaders can bring back to their organizations immediately.
Whether listeners are operators, technology providers, or strategic decision-makers, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the industry’s flagship tech event is evolving—and why collaboration, education, and adaptability will define success in the next era of restaurant technology.
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