The National Restaurant Association has announced that the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show will now be held from May 5-8, 2012, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The show was originally scheduled for May 19-22, 2012.
The change was made to avoid overlap with the Global G8 and NATO Summit, scheduled to take place in Chicago from May 15-22, 2012, and expected to use 10,000 hotel rooms for attendees.
“The NRA’s primary goal is provide our exhibitors and attendees an environment that is conducive to business,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the NRA. “Discussions with the Chicago Mayor’s Office, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority have made it clear to us that the security and logistics requirements for the G8 and NATO Summit will significantly restrict movement within Chicago during that time. Therefore, after carefully considering a number of options, we’ve come to the conclusion that keeping the 2012 NRA Show in Chicago, but moving it to earlier in May, will provide the best opportunity for our industry to have a productive and enjoyable 2012 Show.”
Along with NRA Show, the co-located International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event also will move up two weeks to take place from May 6-7, 2012.
The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show attracts 58,000-plus foodservice professionals and brings around $100 million dollars on average and more than 60,000 jobs to Chicago to support the show. The NRA Show has called Chicago home since 1950 and is currently contracted to remain in Chicago through 2016.
User Comments