National Restaurant Association Announces New Dates for NRA Show 2012

Foodservice industry's largest event will stay in Chicago, but move to May 5-8 to avoid overlap with Global G8 and NATO Summit

CHICAGO, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Restaurant Association (www.restaurant.org) today announced that the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, originally scheduled for May 19-22, 2012 at Chicago's McCormick Place, will be held from May 5-8, 2012 at Chicago's McCormick Place. This change reflects the Association's decision to avoid overlap with the Global G8 and NATO Summit scheduled to take place in Chicago from May 15-22, 2012.

"The NRA's primary goal is provide our exhibitors and attendees an environment that is conducive to business," said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.  "Discussions with the Chicago Mayor's Office, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority have made it clear to us that the security and logistics requirements for the G8 and NATO Summit will significantly restrict movement within Chicago during that time. Therefore, after carefully considering a number of options, we've come to the conclusion that keeping the 2012 NRA Show in Chicago but moving it to earlier in May will provide the best opportunity for our industry to have a productive and enjoyable 2012 Show."

Along with NRA Show, the co-located International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event will also move up two weeks to take place from May 6-7, 2012.

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show attracts 58,000+ foodservice professionals and brings around $100 million dollars on average and more than 60,000 jobs to Chicago to support the show.  The NRA Show has called Chicago home since 1950 and is currently contracted to remain in Chicago through 2016.

Questions about attending or exhibiting at the 2012 NRA Show can be directed to the National Restaurant Association Convention Office at (312) 853-2525

The annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest and most comprehensive global gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals. The event attracts tens of thousands of 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.

SOURCE National Restaurant Association