CHICAGO — The 2008 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, presented by the National Restaurant Association (NRA), has attracted nearly 2,200 exhibiting companies in officially selling out its exhibit space for the third straight year, NRA reports.
This year’s show runs Saturday through Tuesday at McCormick Place. Reconfiguring the exhibit floor has boosted the total exhibit space to a massive 605,000 square feet.
The show is expected to draw more than 70,000 professionals from the restaurant and hospitality industries worldwide to explore the hottest trends — from food and beverages to eco-friendly equipment and cutting-edge technology — as well as capitalize on prime opportunities to network, learn from leading experts and meet celebrity chefs and restaurateurs.
There will be exhibitors with ties to the laundry and linen industry in categories such as laundry machinery (including Chicago Dryer Co., Milnor and Speed Queen, among others), tablecloths and napkins (featuring companies such as Hilden America, Milliken & Co., Riegel – Mount Vernon Mills and Standard Textile Co.) and uniforms (from companies such as ARAMARK, Cintas, G&K Services and Superior Uniform Group).
“It is more important than ever for restaurant operators to stay up-to-date with the latest cost-management strategies, equipment and menu trends, and foodservice technology to battle increasing economic challenges,” says William C. Anton, FMP, convention chairman in 2007. “Our exhibitors know that the health of the $558 billion restaurant industry is tied to their own, and that our show is the best place to find opportunities and to help boost the vitality of the restaurant community.”
Show attendees will get a special treat when John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. president, addresses the gathering on Monday morning. The event is open to all registered attendees.
The 2008 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show features include more than 65 free education sessions on key industry issues, culinary showcases with leading chefs from around the world, celebrity book signings, and much more.
The new International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB), launching this year, focuses on alcoholic beverage products, trends, profitability and responsibility in an industry-first professional environment.
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