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Celebrity guests and educational sessions to highlight conference

Celebrity guests and educational sessions to highlight conference

CHICAGO —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

And attendees who have never met a celebrity chef will have an opportunity to do so at the show’s new Celebrity Bookstore. Another celebrity—former U.S. senator and “Law & Order” star Fred Thompson—will be the featured speaker at the show. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

More than 60 educational sessions are scheduled, and one that is especially timely in light of recent foodborne-illness outbreaks is “Produce Safety: Deconstruction of the Supply Chain.” Experts in produce and foodservice will discuss new food safety protocols and the steps needed to maintain a safe food supply. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Another health-related seminar will focus on what to do in the event of a flu outbreak. “Pandemic Flu: Could Your Business Survive?” will discuss how the government is prepared to handle a flu epidemic and the strategies restaurant operators should pursue to stay open during the crisis. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Five educational sessions will focus on beverage trends and how to develop programs for maximum profitability. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

“Consumers are interested in exciting new things, and this is an opportunity for operators to drive sales,” says Mary Pat Heftman, the NRA’s senior vice president of convention. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

“Many restaurants have beverage menus as extensive as food menus,” she says, “and they’re compatible with food menus. It’s an area that the trendsetters have moved into, and it’s an opportunity for growth for the mainstream guys.” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Strategies to increase profits from alcohol sales while serving alcohol responsibly will be the focus of “Alcohol Profit Primer: Responsible Service Without Sacrificing Profits.” Pairing beer with menu items will be discussed during “Shifting American Tastes in Beer,” and restaurant operators praised by Wine Spectator magazine for their wine lists will appear on a panel to offer their strategies on “How to Create a Winning Wine Program.” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Alcohol is not the only beverage that operators are interested in, Heftman says. For that reason, “Sustainability: Why It’s Important to Growing Your Coffee Profits” will explore the benefits of supporting sustainability in the global coffee community by adapting the practices of good corporate citizenship. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Sustainability and conservation are “hot trends,” Heftman says, and NRA research shows that a growing number of restaurant operators are increasing their environmental efforts. To meet the interests of those who want to know more about eco-friendly products, this year’s show will include a new Green Restaurants Product Pavilion. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

“They can learn more about the topic and how it’s a win-win for the operator and the environment,” Heftman says. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

An educational seminar titled “Energy Conservation and Sustainable Design” will focus on designing kitchens to achieve cost savings by reducing energy consumption. “Advantages of Going Green: Marketing to the Socially Responsible Consumer” will pinpoint the changes that must be made to operate a green restaurant and target consumers who base their purchasing decisions on their own social values. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

The Organic & Natural Pavilion will highlight exhibitors who offer certified organic food and beverages, and a session on “Going Organic: Views from the Farm and the Kitchen” will explore the reasons that organic food is attractive to consumers. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Thompson’s speech will be an educational session of a different sort as he covers a wide range of issues in “Traveling in Strange Circles—From Watergate to Hollywood to the United States Senate to ‘Law & Order.’” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Thompson, who some political pundits have speculated will run for the Republican presidential nomination, will talk about his career in politics and acting. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Thompson first gained national attention as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973. He won election as a U.S. Senator in 1994 and served for many years until declining to seek re-election in 2002. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

He has acted in numerous movies and TV shows, most notably as an attorney on “Law & Order.” Thompson also had roles in “The Hunt for Red October,” “In the Line of Fire” and “Die Hard II.” TV credits include “China Beach,” “Wiseguy” and “Matlock.” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

“He’ll be riveting,” Heftman predicts. “He’s a great speaker.” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Attendees who want to meet other stars will have that opportunity at the Celebrity Bookstore, where celebrity chefs and star restaurateurs will sign their latest books. —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

The bookstore is the “fun portion of our business,” Heftman says, and was added to the show because “everyone’s interested in what their peers are doing.” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Among the chefs scheduled to appear are Rick Bayless and Gale Gand. Bayless operates Frontera Grill and Topolobampo in Chicago and hosts “Mexico—One Plate at a Time” on PBS. His latest book is “Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico, the Twentieth Anniversary Edition.” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Special Report

Windy City sizzles with eclectic new eateries as NRA show approaches —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Gand, executive pastry chef and partner of Tru in Chicago, is the host of “Sweet Dreams” on the Food Network. She will sign her latest book, “Chocolate & Vanilla.” Last year’s show attracted a record 74,000 attendees, and Heftman says registrations so far are “trending along the lines of last year.” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

“The industry is strong and excited,” she says. “There’s a lot of hot issues on the board right now in the restaurant industry.” —Innovative beverage programs, the factors involved in maintaining a safe food supply and steps that restaurants can take to become eco-friendly are among the broad range of topics to be highlighted at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

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