Magazines Archives - 2011 September

NRA Show 2011 showed significant signs of growth
Story 3 - Special Review

An established annual event that is attracting a growing number of international participants and visitors, the 92nd National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show — the NRA Show 2011 — was staged at McCormick Place in Chicago, USA, from May 21-24.

“NRA Show 2011 displayed significant signs of growth,” confirmed the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the organiser of the show. There were more exhibitors, more show visitors and increased floor space.

The total number of registered buyers hovered around 58,000, with registrants from the restaurant/foodservice category increasing by 4% while the dealer/distributor category grew by 6%. “This growth was achieved proportionally through both our domestic and international numbers,” said an NRA spokesperson.

Commenting on the significance and global reach of the NRA Show, the spokesperson told Retail Asia: “The NRA Show is of vital importance to the global foodservice/hospitality industry and this year was no different. N RA Show 2011 was essential because it is the biggest show in the western hemisphere and therefore attracts the most prominent companies in Canada, Mexico and Latin America.

“With the growing trade between China and the US, [the show is] crucial to Chinese companies that are trying to achieve economies of scale and enter the massive US foodservice marketplace.”

The spokesperson pointed out that when Korean companies start to export their products, the first market for expansion is usually the US which makes the NRA Show an “extremely important” trade event for Korean producers as well.

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