Cheers to a sold out EXPO!

It’s official—the Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO is a sell out! With more than 300 exhibiting companies, 80 of which are new to the EXPO, all we need now is YOU.

Join us Saturday, August 3 for a cake and champagne toast to celebrate the EXPO’s 60^th Anniversary with special guest National Restaurant Association Chairman Phil Hickey. The festivities begin at 10:45 a.m. at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in the lobby of Hall I. We’ll recognize our sponsors, raise a glass to our industry’s talent, cut the ribbon and open the show.

For a stroll down memory lane, we sat down with Sandy Riddle who has been producing the EXPO for a whopping 30 years!

“The EXPO has certainly evolved over the years,” recalls Riddle, EVP of the EXPO. “We used to actually have two shows, one in New Orleans and one in Shreveport, but in the 1980’s they were merged and from then on it’s been in New Orleans.”

Prior to being at the Convention Center, the show was at the River Gate, where Harrah’s Casino now sits. Following the opening of the Convention Center after the 1984 World’s Fair, the EXPO moved into Hall A which in comparison to today’s space was tiny.

“In 1985, we had between 80-100 exhibiting companies and about 2,000 attendees,” she shared. “We outgrew that space in just a few years, primarily because we needed more dock space, especially with the number of refrigerated trucks required to service the EXPO.”

Each year, the EXPO theme changes and the visual elements updated, which affords exhibitors some creative license with their displays. The themes have ranged from License to Serve, Putting on the Ritz, Feast at the Table, the Art of Hospitality and so many others. 

“Each fall, we all start brainstorming to come up with a new, exciting theme. A Toast to Talent was just perfect to commemorate 60 years of the EXPO,” said Riddle. “With the talent that exists in Louisiana’s culinary community, I look forward to celebrating with our exhibitors and attendees.”

Top 8 Reasons to Attend the EXPO

Because 8 is enough

For the 60^th year, the Louisiana Restaurant Association is proud to bring you the largest, most comprehensive foodservice tradeshow in the Gulf South: the Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO. Why go? Keep reading…

8. GASCO. Some events reach the status where acronyms are enough. Celebrating its 10^th year, surely the Great American Seafood Cook-Off has earned its due. Watch chefs from across the country try to beat the King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood, Cody Carroll of Hot Tails Restaurant, Saturday, August 3 in Hall J.

7. Make it a vacation. Too often we forget that we live in a state where millions of people travel to each year to experience a culture unlike any other. New Orleans is the undisputed grande dame of tourism, with more than 9 million visitors in 2012. Be in that number this year. While you aren’t on the show floor, experience the city’s finest attractions and of course, her many restaurants.

6. It’s a milestone. This year, the EXPO turns 60, and like the old wine adage goes, age only makes us better. We have some exciting and celebratory plans in store for our big birthday. Be sure to attend the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, August 3, 10:45 a.m. in the lobby of Hall I for the surprise.

5. Shuttle Service. This one is pretty self-explanatory. It’s August. It’s Louisiana. It’s hot. It will probably rain at some point, leaving the concrete in front of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center a steam bath to rival your favorite health club’s. Let us bring you back and forth to your hotel. You’re welcome.

4. New products. Every year the EXPO Department reaches out to the hottest new foodservice companies. They travel to similar tradeshows across the country, bringing back products for you. This year, the EXPO will feature 30+ new companies, ready to impress.

3. Learning opportunities. This won’t be boring, we promise. For the second consecutive year, we are hosting the IDEA ZONE, with express presentations on topics that matter to you, right now. Some are fun—wine pairings with different beef cuts. Some are more fun—sparkling wine pairings. But many are informative and crucial to doing business in today’s time—the Affordable Care Act is coming, y’all.

2. Action in the aisles. Time and time again, we hear from EXPO attendees that one of the best things about the show is catching up with old friends and business associates. The restaurant business is a social one and we give you that opportunity to not only get things done, but also swap news with your peers.

1. One-Stop Shopping. Think of the biggest mall, selling only things useful to your business. Does it hurt that there will also be lots of food to try and lots of alcoholic beverages that need quality control volunteers? It’s a rough job, but someone has to do it. Might as well be you, right?

 

So, what are you waiting for? Register now!