The 92nd annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and 4th annual International Wine, Spirits and Beer Event (IWSB) showed positive growth in attendee and exhibitor numbers. The NRA Show 2011 was held at Chicago’s McCormick Place May 21-24, and IWSB was held in conjunction with the show May 22-23.
Among NRA Show registrants, there was a 4 percent increase in the Restaurant/Foodservice category, a 6 percent increase in the Dealer/Distributor category, and an 8 percent increase in the Press category. This year's event attracted nearly 58,000 registrants, according to preliminary analysis. On the exhibitor side, there was a 9 percent increase in square feet occupied over 2010, covering more than 515,000 square feet. More than 1,900 exhibitors showcased the most innovative new products and services in the marketplace today.
“The growing energy and optimism of restaurant operators, dealers and distributors were tangible at this year's NRA Show," said C.W. Craig Reed, convention chair for NRA Show 2011 and director of Food and Beverage, Broadmoor Hotel. “The business solutions and product innovations by our exhibitors, coupled with the inspiring ideas and broad expertise of our speakers, created an environment where attendees could find all the products, services and know-how they need to enhance their productivity and profitability. These tools, resources and insights will help the restaurant industry continue its economic recovery, which in turn will positively affect the nation's economy."
This also was the second year of the show's Food Truck Spot, an area on the exhibit floor dedicated solely to the mobile food movement. The Innovations Pavilion also continued to showcase the hottest new trends and technology.
NRA Show 2012 will be held May 19-22 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The 2012 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event will be held May 20-21.
