The conference also boasts some big names in the culinary industry.
"We have Kim Severson, who won the Pulitzer Prize (in 2018) from The New York Times moderating a panel. We also have our local chef Michael Solomonov sitting on that panel," he added.
Food trends will also be discussed, as well as important issues pertaining to the business of food.
"The hot topics continue to revolve around wellness, health initiatives," he said, "but also sexual harassment continues to be a major issue to discuss among restaurant professionals."
At this conference, Traud noted they don't shy away from difficult topics.
"Having the right females in the room to lead these discussions is important," he explained. "That's what I try to do each year, is getting these industry leaders discussing issues that they confront, and this year we have a panel based on reporting in the #MeToo movement with a lot of food journalists nationally participating."