Local Store Marketing University to Debut at Western Foodshow in August

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Marketing, LLC©, an integrated marketing communications firm, announced today the launch of LSM-U™, "Local Store Marketing University™", an educational program devised to enhance restaurant marketers' ability to understand, create and implement local store marketing strategies to increase sales and awareness.  LSM-U will debut Monday, August 29th, with a two-hour educational session beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the San Diego Convention Center as part of the 2011 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo and the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum.  LSM-U will be led by founder and restaurant marketing expert, Linda Duke, and will be followed by a networking reception at 5:00 p.m.  A donation of $5 to benefit the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation will be accepted at the door to support ProStart, an industry-driven high school culinary arts and hospitality management program.

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Making its debut at the Western Foodshow, LSM-U, Local Store Marketing University, will be held Monday, August 29th, at 3:00 p.m.  A jam packed two-hour powerful education session will give every attendee numerous ideas and practical applications to drive sales. Attendees who donate to CRAEF will receive an LSM-U guide book and participate in the first-ever LSM-U mixer following the session at 5:00 p.m.  "LSM-U is intended to be an educational series that will make its way across the country, with each state restaurant association, to provide education and scholarships and give restaurateurs, hospitality and foodservice marketers a way to continue their education, get ideas, and network with other restaurant marketers," said Linda Duke.  

The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo will take place in San Diego, California, August 28th – 30th, 2011 at the San Diego Convention Center, and is the most comprehensive marketplace for professionals serving the foodservice and hospitality industries on the West Coast.  "We are excited to have the opportunity to debut LSM-U at the 2011 show this year," said Ron Mathews, Vice President, Reed Exhibition Companies, Restaurant and Foodservice Events Portfolio.  "Linda Duke is a very respected marketing speaker and continually brings in large crowds of restaurant operators with her educational seminars and marketing topics each year."  

"We are honored Ms. Duke has been part of the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum, providing the gold-standard, industry-leading educational content that is practical and relevant for today's foodservice professional, for several years and at all of our hospitality shows across the county," said Ferdinand Metz.  "Linda is one of our best industry leaders delivering real applicable business lessons, the latest information on trends and best practices in the market, and what creates success.  Her LSM-U session will be a great addition to our 2011 educational program and beyond."

More than 15,000 foodservice industry professionals from every segment of the industry are expected to attend the show to grab a piece of the $51 billion West Coast foodservice market. With over 500 exhibits and 10,000 products, this event, put on by the California Restaurant Association, covers the entire spectrum of the foodservice industry. Restaurant owners and foodservice operators attend to gain the freshest, most meaningful menu of business boosting opportunities for the West Coast foodservice and hospitality markets.

Ms. Duke will also be moderating an executive panel, "Restaurant Marketing Insights," at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, on Sunday, August 28th, at noon.  For a complete schedule and more information please visit:  http://www.westernfoodexpo.com/  

About Duke Marketing, LLC®

Duke Marketing, LLC, is a California-based full service marketing company with expertise in integrated marketing communications and specializing with multi-location and franchise organizations.  Founded by Linda Duke in 1986, Duke Marketing combines a full range of services including: brand creation and thought-leadership, local store marketing, public relations, promotions and cause marketing, franchise communications, market-by-market planning, creative development, social media, advertising and media buying; with on-target strategies, fresh ideas and creative concepts to offer complete solutions. 

Duke Marketing Publishing®, a subsidiary of Duke Marketing, LLC, publishes a quarterly online restaurant industry resource, Restaurant Marketing Magazine™, the nationally acclaimed "Four Star Restaurant Marketing Cookbook—Recipes for Restaurateurs®" www.marketing-cookbook.com, a blog at www.marketing-cookbook.blogspot.com  and produces LSM-U™ educational series www.lsm-u.com .  For more information contact Duke Marketing at 415-492-4534 or visit www.dukemarketing.com and friend us on Facebook.

SOURCE Duke Marketing