May 12, 2009
Contact: Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677, Jessica Wion (312) 715-5397

(Washington, D.C.) The National Restaurant Association — the restaurant industry's leading trade association — will showcase the value of membership and highlight the organization’s revitalized mission through exhibits and presentations in its exhibit booth #6300 at the 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, May 16-19, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Adopted in January, the Association’s revitalized strategic plan builds on the organization’s 90-year history of success in advocacy and representation, and aligns its current activities with the $566 billion restaurant and foodservice industry’s key priorities and strengths to benefit members, employees and customers.

“As we position the National Restaurant Association for future growth, we are focusing on our industry’s top issue imperatives – jobs and careers, food and healthy living, sustainability and entrepreneurship – and showcasing the value of Association membership,” said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the Association. “At this year’s Show, we will not only highlight our many products and services, but also hold a series of presentations to delve deeper into some of the valuable information we and our partners provide for restaurant operators.”

In addition to booth stations highlighting key industry issues and how the Association is providing solutions, the booth will also feature a series of mini-seminars and cooking demonstrations. Held every hour on the hour, the presentations will cover an exciting range of topics and guests.

The Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability initiative will be one of the highlights of the booth, including the launch of the new National Restaurant Association Conserve/EPA ENERGY STAR Challenge program. Game-show style presentations will offer take-home tips for restaurant operators on how to build their business’ sustainability efforts. National Restaurant Association Conserve provides tips, tools and resources for restaurant operators to “go green” through its Conserve.Restaurant.org Web site and other channels.

The ProStart program will also be featured through cooking demonstrations and ProStart Quiz Bowl games led by ProStart students. See the ProStart students in action – including a winning team from the 2009 National ProStart Invitational – as they prepare outstanding three course meals and challenge attendees to a Jeopardy-style quiz game. ProStart is a two-year high school curriculum supported by the National Restaurant Association and state restaurant associations that blends classroom learning with mentoring and work experience to teach students the management and culinary skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

ServSafe Food Safety and ServSafe Alcohol will be showcased in the Association’s booth in presentation and demonstrations throughout the NRA Show. ServSafe offers high-quality training options for every manager and employee, from the classroom to online and in a variety of languages.

In addition, Food Network star and Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out spokesperson Aaron McCargo, Jr., will hold culinary demonstration in booth #6300. The National Restaurant Association is a sponsor of the Great American Dine Out, to be held September 20-26, 2009, which benefits child hunger relief.

Fourteen-year-old Greg Grossman, Culinaria Group, is a personal chef who has become an in-demand caterer. Grossman will hold a culinary demonstration that looks at how to re-create the classics and invent the new.

Association partners American Express, Fishbowl, Hcareers, Healthy Dining and the NPD Group will also co-host presentations. A full schedule of member value presentations at the National Restaurant Association Booth #6300 is available online.

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) will also have a presence in Booth #6300 to provide information on its scholarship programs.

A full schedule of National Restaurant Association booth sessions is available online.

Association publications will be available for purchase in the NRA Show Bookstore on the Mezzanine Level of McCormick Place North.

The National Restaurant Association provides value for its members in five ways: through advocacy and representation, building and sustaining positive public opinion for the industry and a favorable political environment; tools and solutions, helping restaurants grow revenues, increasing profitability, and developing employees; education and networking, providing opportunities for restaurateurs to connect and learn from each other; research and insights, anticipating and preparing for emerging trends that could impact restaurants; and responsible stewardship, providing ideas and leadership to inspire community involvement and impact.

Celebrating its 90th year, the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals. NRA Show 2009 will be held May 16-19, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event attracts attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries, and showcases more products, services, innovative ideas and other growth opportunities than any other industry event. For more information, visit the Show Web site at www.restaurant.org/show.