From October 12–14, 2025, CLI Design will be on-site in Palm Springs, CA, for RestaurantSpaces Fall ’25, one of the restaurant industry’s most distinctive and carefully curated gatherings.
Unlike a traditional trade show, RestaurantSpaces is designed as an intimate, retreat-style experience for senior leaders in restaurant development, design, architecture, and technology. With only 250 participants, every moment is crafted to spark meaningful dialogue and collaboration on the forces reshaping the restaurant landscape.
What Makes RestaurantSpaces Stand Out
Rather than focusing on a show floor, RestaurantSpaces prioritizes content and collaboration. Sessions delve into the realities of running and growing restaurant brands in a changing landscape. At the same time, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings ensure participants connect with the key stakeholders who matter most.
This year’s agenda addresses some of the industry’s most urgent priorities: smart design innovations, robotics and automation, real-world AI applications, modular construction at scale, strategies for cost control, and building sustainable concepts that perform from design through operations.
Spotlight on Speakers
The Palm Springs program brings together some of the industry’s most influential voices—from global restaurant brands to innovative design leaders. Executives from Starbucks, Shake Shack, Taco Bell, CAVA, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Wagamama, Qdoba, and &pizza will share their perspectives on the future of restaurant development and design.
The lineup also features creative leaders like Jean-Pierre Lacroix of SLD and Jamie Cornelius of ChangeUp, along with special guest actor and comedian Adam Ray, ensuring a dynamic balance of insights and inspiration.
The Palm Springs Experience
Set against the backdrop of Palm Springs’ iconic desert landscape, RestaurantSpaces Fall ’25 combines industry expertise with the ambiance of a resort retreat. The schedule balances structured sessions with open spaces for informal conversations, allowing new ideas to surface naturally.
Networking is woven throughout the experience, from small-group activities to evening gatherings, ensuring that connections feel authentic rather than forced. Attendees can also enhance the retreat experience by bringing a spouse or partner, with select social events designed for guests to participate in.
Our Perspective
For CLI Design, attending RestaurantSpaces Fall ’25 is about more than showing up — it’s about immersing ourselves in the conversations shaping the future of restaurants. From automation to modular construction, the topics on the agenda reflect the very challenges our clients are navigating in real time.
Lighting plays a pivotal role in this transformation. The right solutions don’t just illuminate a space — they support efficiency, enhance brand identity, and create experiences that keep guests coming back. By engaging with leaders across design, construction, and operations, we gain fresh insights into how our work can align with evolving restaurant formats and technologies.
As we head to Palm Springs, our focus is on collaboration and learning. We look forward to incorporating these new perspectives into projects nationwide, helping our partners deliver restaurants that are as functional as they are memorable.
Gabriella Halcovich is the National Account Manager at Commercial Lighting Industries, specializing in commercial lighting solutions for hospitality, restaurant, retail, and architectural projects nationwide. She partners with architects, interior designers, and developers to deliver lighting that brings spaces to life.
