August 3, 2012
Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo arrives in Anaheim for the first time
(SACRAMENTO, Aug. 12, 2011) – For the first time in its 76-year history, the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Exposition (WFHE) will land in Orange County when the California Restaurant Association-sponsored tradeshow presents its annual event Sunday through Tuesday at the Anaheim Convention Center.
“We are excited to have this first-time opportunity to host the Expo,” said Russell Bendel, operating partner of Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and president of the CRA Orange County chapter. “I am personally excited to welcome my partners and friends to Anaheim and show them what our region has to offer.”
Anaheim is world-famous for being the home of Disneyland, major sports teams, and entertainment; it is also centrally located in the CRA’s expansive Orange County local chapter. The region features thousands of unique eateries and industry heavyweights. The Orange County chapter is very active, participating heavily in the CRA’s Educational Foundation.
More than 9,000 foodservice professionals, as well as 650-plus exhibiting companies are projected to attend this year’s WFHE. 150 of these companies will be first-time participants. Seventy-three percent of attendees plan to spend at least $100,000 on products and services exhibited at the show, according to Reed Exhibitions, which produces and manages the event. In addition, a trade show attendee spends an average of 3.7 times more – or $1,287 -- than an overnight leisure traveler to the Anaheim area.
“We couldn’t be happier to be in Anaheim this year,” CRA President + CEO Jot Condie said. “Orange County has been a huge part of California’s restaurant industry for years, and we are excited to highlight the restaurants and operators in the area.”
The CRA will be at booth No. 1555, advising existing and prospective members about the importance of CRA membership. The booth also will feature exclusive Happy Hour events Sunday and Monday and a prize wheel where visitors can win various items, including gift cards to area restaurants.
For more information, go online at calrest.org or call 800.840.5612.
About the California Restaurant Association: The California Restaurant Association, with more than 22,000 member restaurants, is the definitive voice of the California restaurant and hospitality industry and has served to protect and promote its success since 1906. The restaurant industry is one of the largest private employers in California, representing more than 1.4 million jobs. Restaurants produce more than $58 billion in sales annually and generate more than $4.5 billion in sales tax for the state.
# # #