News Release

National Restaurant Association Seeks Experts, Trend-Setters for Education Sessions at NRA Show 2010 and IWSB

October 08, 2009
Contact: Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677, Derrek J. Hull (312) 853-2522

(Chicago) The National Restaurant Association today announced that it is accepting proposals for education sessions for its 2010 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB). Industry leaders and trendsetters are encouraged to share their expertise and best practices on industry hot topics that will help the tens of thousands of foodservice industry professionals in attendance to grow their business. NRA Show 2010 will be held May 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago; IWSB will be held in conjunction with the NRA Show May 23-24. Proposals for education sessions may be submitted online at www.restaurant.org/show or at www.winespiritsbeer.org before December 4, 2009.

“Education sessions are an important and exciting part of NRA Show and IWSB programming, and each year we strive to provide attendees with a wide range of topics and speakers to help them improve their business now and into the future,” said David Gilbert, chief operating officer of the National Restaurant Association. “We welcome proposals from individuals and companies, large and small, to share insights and expertise into the hot topics of today, as well as what may lie ahead.”

NRA Show 2010 and IWSB education session proposals may be submitted in five categories:

Jobs and careers, including employee recruitment and retention, staff training, employee management and motivation.

Profitability and entrepreneurship, including cost control, research and insight, guest attraction and retention and marketing.

Food and healthy living, including menu innovation, food safety and traceability, nutrition and sourcing.

Sustainability and corporate responsibility, including recycling standards, water conservation and energy savings.

Technology, including online/electronic/mobile marketing, POS systems, inventory management and guest entertainment.

Ideal proposals should focus on current trends and solutions to help restaurant and foodservice operators succeed while positioning themselves for long-term growth, without highlighting specific products or services. Speakers sharing best practices and recognized expertise are preferred.

Proposals may be submitted for a single speaker or interactive panel discussions. Companies exhibiting at NRA Show 2010 are not eligible to present in the categories of jobs/careers, profitability/entrepreneurship, food/healthy living, or sustainability. In the technology category, sessions must be in panel discussion form and be presented by 2010 technology exhibitors, focusing on the foodservice operator perspective.

IWSB education session proposals may be submitted by operators, associations, consultants and beverage alcohol industry experts as a single speaker or a panel discussion, but must focus on trends, marketing, responsible service, profitability and business solutions specific to beverage alcohol and bar programs.

The NRA Show is the industry’s most comprehensive trade show and marketplace, providing attendees from all 50 states and more than 100 countries with a year’s worth of networking, education, trend-watching and inspiration in just four days under one roof. IWSB is the industry’s first and only professional forum focused exclusively on restaurant and hospitality bar programs. Held in a separate exhibit area of McCormick Place, the event gathers brewers, vintners and distillers, leading beverage experts, beverage alcohol buyers and more in one exclusive area.

The annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals. NRA Show 2010 will be held May 22-25, 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.