CHICAGO —The 90th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show brought together more than 54,000 foodservice professionals, each set on exploring new ways to make their businesses prosper during these tough economic times.
The show boasted 1,800 exhibitors, more than 60 educational sessions that highlighted expert panelists and industry heavyweights, and an International Wine Spirits & Beer Event that was designed to help operators boost the success of their beverage programs. —The 90th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show brought together more than 54,000 foodservice professionals, each set on exploring new ways to make their businesses prosper during these tough economic times.
The NRA also featured numerous celebrity chef culinary demonstrations from the likes of Rick Bayless, Marcus Samuelsson and Chris Cosentino, as well as special pavilions highlighting products and educational discussions related to franchising, organic and natural foods, and technology. —The 90th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show brought together more than 54,000 foodservice professionals, each set on exploring new ways to make their businesses prosper during these tough economic times.
“NRA Show 2009 was a great success and in many ways an industry tipping point,” said Lorna Donatone, the convention chair for this year’s show and president of school services at Sodexo Inc. “Operators are returning home energized and optimistic and ready to put new products, ideas and contacts to work.” —The 90th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show brought together more than 54,000 foodservice professionals, each set on exploring new ways to make their businesses prosper during these tough economic times.
While the show felt the recession’s impact, with attendance down 25 percent from last year, many foodservice executives noted that those who made the trip to Chicago’s McCormick Place came to close business deals, especially if new products or strategies were designed to save money. —The 90th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show brought together more than 54,000 foodservice professionals, each set on exploring new ways to make their businesses prosper during these tough economic times.
The show’s keynote presentation brought together several industry heavyweights, including Sally Smith, president and chief executive of Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. and this year’s winner of the Gold Plate from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association; Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-chief executive of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.; Joseph Bastianich, partner of B&B Hospitality Group; Daniel Boulud, chef-owner of The Dinex Group; and Damian Mogavero, founder and chief executive of Avero LLC. —The 90th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show brought together more than 54,000 foodservice professionals, each set on exploring new ways to make their businesses prosper during these tough economic times.
The NRA Show also served as a backdrop for numerous banquets, receptions and parties hosted by other industry players, including the Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance, the NRA Educational Foundation and Nation’s Restaurant News, which toasted the culinary expertise and innovation of this year’s Menu-Masters Award winners. —The 90th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show brought together more than 54,000 foodservice professionals, each set on exploring new ways to make their businesses prosper during these tough economic times.
The following 12 pages provide a closer look at the faces, places and key takeaways from the industry’s largest gathering. —The 90th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show brought together more than 54,000 foodservice professionals, each set on exploring new ways to make their businesses prosper during these tough economic times.