2009 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo moves to San Diego
Norwalk, CT, August 6, 2008 – Reed Exhibitions and the California Restaurant Association (CRA) have announced exciting plans to relocate the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo to the San Diego Convention Center in 2009. The 2008 Show will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center Saturday, August 23 through Monday, August 25, 2008 and the 2009 Show will be held Sunday, August 30 through Tuesday, September 1 at the San Diego Convention Center.
“The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo has had a wonderful home in Los Angeles for many years, but we feel there is an opportunity to add a dose of freshness to the event, and San Diego is a hot culinary market that is perfect for our customers,” said Ron Mathews, industry vice president for Reed Exhibitions, producers of the show. “We did research among our attendees and exhibitors and received a very positive response to moving the event, the largest in the region, to the San Diego marketplace.”
In fact, US Food and Sysco Foodservice of San Diego have already committed to participating in the 2009 event and members of the San Diego County chapter of the CRA are throwing their full support behind the event as well. Members of the CRA San Diego County chapter include Cohn Restaurant Group, Jack In The Box (HQ), Karl Strauss Brewing, Anthony’s Seafood Group, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill and Phil’s BBQ to name a few.
“The San Diego restaurant scene is booming so we see this as a perfect time to make a move to a perfect venue,” added Jot Condie, president and CEO of the CRA. “The San Diego County chapter of the CRA is vibrant and excited to welcome us, and we are confident that the 2009 event will offer fresh, new and exciting elements.”
A large majority of respondents to multiple surveys about the move said they would be extremely/very likely to attend if the show was to rotate to San Diego in 2009. Those surveyed included industry professionals who did attend the show in 2006 or 2007; those that did not attend the show both years; as well as restaurateurs and food service professionals who work in the San Francisco area and did not attend the show in L.A. in 2007.
Comments from the survey included “I believe a new venue would be great for the show,” “Good idea to draw from a different population,” “It’s a great idea, a major tradeshow should be in a venue where people look forward to going,” “San Diego is more affordable and accessible than L.A., could be a great move for the show,” “San Diego has great up and coming restaurants and wonderful caterers/event, it will be a good market.”
With more than 88,000 eating and drinking establishments currently operating in California, an estimated $54 billion in food and drink sales in 2007 and the generation of $4.5 billion in California sales tax per year, restaurants are indisputably a driving force in both the state employment and revenue sectors, according to the CRA. Over 1.4 million food industry jobs are currently in existence and there will be 1.6 million jobs in this field by 2017. San Diego is within driving distance from Los Angeles, Arizona, Mexico and other large markets. It has an international airport that is a short distance to the convention center.
About Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo:
The 2008 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo will be held Saturday, August 23 – Monday, August 25, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The sow is produced and managed by Reed Exhibitions, and sponsored by the CRA
Highlights of the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo include an exhibit hall with 650 exhibiting companies showcasing everything for the front and back of a restaurant and food service establishment. The Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum offers over 40 educational sessions featuring the leading consultants and executives from several of the most recognized companies in the restaurant and hospitality industries. The Hot Spot Culinary Extravaganza, featuring a presentation by Food Network Star Guy Fieri, is the place where attendees are treated to dynamic and entertaining demonstrations throughout the three day event adding to the overall excitement of the Expo. The Ultimate Barista Challenge™ hosted by Whole Cup Coffee Consulting is where professional baristas will face challengers on the exhibition floor as they prepared their signature espresso beverages for a panel of discerning judges. Other feature areas will be the LA Wine Expo, the Catering Symposium, presented by Catering Magazine and a one-day accelerated jump-start Personal Chef Seminar, presented by the American Personal & Private Chef Institute.
