NEW YORK — When the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS) arrives here next month, it will bring with it some 17,000 participants for an exhibit featuring 650 or more companies, all housed in a space of more than 100,000 square feet, say show organizers.
The annual show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center will be presented Sunday, Nov. 9, through Tuesday, Nov. 11. According to show management company Hospitality Media Group (HMG), the exposition will attract representatives from hotel and restaurant chains, management companies, resorts, military lodging, healthcare foodservice, casinos, bed and breakfasts and more.
“Shows tends to reflect the industries they serve and certainly the hotel and restaurant is doing pretty well right now, so we expect to be up both in our exhibit category and in our attendance category,” says Phil Robinson, show director of IHMRS.
The Kitchen Design division will be home to equipment demos, tastings, book signings and programming on technology in the kitchen, in addition to displays on the products and services of more than 150 exhibitors, according to HMG.
For those wanting to stay on top of the latest hospitality-related technologies, the Technology Division brings together a range of solutions, including tablet and mobile apps, energy management, in-room entertainment, social media and others. Tech decision-makers are invited to try out a broad range of tablet apps and other software at the I.MENU EXPO, curated in partnership with i.Business Magazine. Consumer innovation, leveraging social media, content marketing, and protecting property from data breaches will be among the topics covered as part of the division’s educational program.
The full list of exhibitors is available at www.ihmrs.com. Also available at the website is a Buyer’s Guide listing the products and services of IHMRS exhibitors, among other companies (IHMRS exhibitors are marked with an IHMRS icon). Categories are splits into various sections: boutique design; business services; construction and design; financial/legal/insurance services; food services and supplies; government agencies and associations; hotel operations; hotel security; real estate; and technology.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Before diving into three busy days at the exhibition, attendees are welcome to attend the International Hospitality Ball on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Hoteliers and industry suppliers will gather at the Grand Hyatt New York, 109 East 42nd St. (at Grand Central), in black-tie attire.
The event, which will feature a reception, dinner and dancing, is hosted by the Hotel Association of New York City. Because of high demand, attendees are encouraged to purchase their tickets as early as possible. On Monday night, the 34th Annual Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design Gala is set to take place 6:30–10 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street. The event will include a cocktail reception, dinner and presentation of the winners and finalists in each of 19 award categories.
In addition, the 2014 Designer of the Year will be announced. Finally, Bob Thomas, Signature Carpet, will receive the Icon of the Industry award, presented by NEWH Inc., the Hospitality Industry Network. The NEWH/Cliff Tuttle Scholarship will be awarded to a student in his name.
Both first-time visitors and those familiar with New York City can find plenty of activities and attractions in the area to keep them busy. Visit the show’s NYC Guide at the website for information from the city’s convention and visitors bureau, along with local events, transit information, a local weather forecast, a parking guide and special offers. Special information for family travel and for first-time visitors is available as well.
LODGING
The official travel partner of IHMRS, Travel Planners Inc., is offering discounted rates at more than two dozen hotels in New York City. Attendees who register through the IHMRS site will receive exclusive benefits such as no prepayment, immediate confirmation, and the ability to cancel a reservation with no penalties. Travel Planners can be reached at 800-221-3531.
The IHMRS show is co-owned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. Association partners include the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI), the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), Women in Lodging (WIL) and Healthcare Foodservice Managers (HFM).
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