NRA Returns For 85th Performance

By Paulette Cortopassi -- Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, 4/1/2004 12:00:00 AM

This year, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is celebrating 85 years of service to the restaurant and hospitality industry. Scheduled for Saturday, May 22 through Tuesday, May 25, at Chicago's McCormick Place, the 2004 show is expected to bring together more than 1,950 exhibitors in over 890 product categories and 70,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 90 countries. Show hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for exhibits on Level 1, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for exhibits on Level 3.

Making its debut this year is EDGE, a new specialty area on the show floor showcasing the latest concepts, textiles, lighting, fixtures and flooring in restaurant and hospitality design. Located within the EDGE area will be the Design Spotlight, where show-goers can view a collection of gallery photos featuring restaurant concepts and products.

Attendees will also have access to more than 45 free educational seminars this year, all designed to help them keep up to date with the latest restaurant-industry trends and issues. Topic highlights will include nutrition and healthy lifestyle trends, management, recruitment and retention, and branding. (A schedule of events and a list of educational programs follow.) This year's show will again feature a Technology Pavilion, where show-goers can browse a resource and product center to learn about the latest industry-related technology relating to bar-code readers, self-ordering kiosks, Wi-Fi products, inventory cost controls and labor scheduling. The Technology Pavilion will also offer an internet café with e-mail and computer stations.

Back for its third year, the show's Blue Plate Specials discount program will again offer attendees discounts from participating exhibitors for placing orders on the exhibit floor. Exhibitors participating in the program will display Blue Plate Specials signs posted in their booths.

The NRA's traditional Main Course 10K Run/Walk is celebrating its 24th anniversary this year and offers an easy way to incorporate fitness into the show schedule. The race is expected to draw nearly 3,000 exhibitors, attendees and Chicago-area participants and will kick off at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 23, in Grant Park in downtown Chicago.

This year's keynote address is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 23, and will be delivered by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. For a complete list of exhibitors or to register online, go to www.restaurant.org.

Schedule Of Events

Click to view the Schedule of Events for the 2004 NRA Show

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