The 2002 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) signaled a resurgence of the hospitality industry, with exhibitors reporting…
The 2002 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) signaled a resurgence of the hospitality industry, with exhibitors reporting solid business prospects for 2003 and enthusiasm over newly forged partnerships. More than 43,000 total trade attendees, representing all sectors of the lodging and culinary industries from around the world, visited the four-day event, marking an increase of 17.7 percent over 2001.
This year, the IH/M&RS was streamlined into five distinct market categories – Decor, Technology, Restaurant, Flavors and Essentials – providing attendees with a convenient and comprehensive format in which to source products and services. As a result, quality contacts were made and exhibitors met their targeted buyers. For the first time, The Show ran concurrently with the International Hotel & Restaurant Association’s 39th annual Congress, adding to the Show’s international flavor, as well as enhancing educational programs, special events and business opportunities on the Show floor.
The IH/M&RS featured over 40 educational programs, including the culinary-intensive Restaurant Futurists Conference, sponsored by Food Arts magazine. Popular sessions addressed the recovery of the lodging industry; climbing the ladder to success; consumer travel trends; and building relationships with customers, staff and suppliers in the restaurant industry. Other Show-sponsored highlights included the 22nd annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design; the 87th annual International Hospitality Ball; the 6th annual Big Apple Stars Awards; the 7th annual IH/M&RS Chefs Championships; the IH/M&RS Demonstration Kitchen; the 134th Salon of Culinary Arts; and the 7th annual Editors’ Choice Awards for Best New Products.
Post Show Statistics
- Number of Exhibiting Companies: 1,600
- Net Square Feet of Exhibit Space: 266,000
- Buyer Registration: 22,715
- Total Trade Attendance: 43,393
A positive outlook for the hospitality industry was evident at the IH/M&RS, with both exhibitors and buyers eager to do business. It was apparent that buyers at the Show were high-level decision makers, keen on planning projects for the coming year. said Christian Falkenberg, show manager
Market Offerings
Within its five market sectors, the IH/MRS offered many resources for lodging and foodservice professionals.
- Decorponent of the Show remained the largest market represented, with 550 companies featuring the latest in hospitality design, furnishings and fixtures.
- Technologysented 250 exhibitors, including the Show’s Technology Innovation Center. Sponsored by Hospitality Upgrade, this interactive area featured 12 kiosks showcasing the latest lodging and foodservice solutions as well as hands-on test opportunities. In addition, the IH/M&RS e-Business Center offered complimentary Internet and e-mail access to Show participants.
- The IH/M&RS Culinary Resource Center presented a combined 500 exhibitors within the Show’s Restaurant and Flavors markets, and showcased the talents of both renowned chefs and newcomers in the IH/M&RS Chefs’ Championships, Salon of Culinary Art and the IH/M&RS Demonstration Kitchen, hosted by Food Arts magazine.
- Essentials provided core resources for lodging and culinary professionals, offering 300 companies.
- Demonstration Kitchen – Hosted by Food Arts magazine, the IH/M&RS Demonstration Kitchen offered six culinary-intensive programs featuring some of the most prominent chefs from around the world. Demonstrations included the preparation of duck, New York strip steak, lamb tenderloin, creating distinctive desserts, getting the most out of ingredients, and using modern techniques and trends.
- Chefs Championships – The 7th annual IH/M&RS Chefs Championships awarded cash prized and American Culinary Federation (ACF) medals in four distinct competition categories. Participants were evaluated on ACF guidelines, including culinary skills, organization, presentation and taste, and cash prizes and ACF medals were awarded to the winners. A detailed listing of winners is included in the accompanying press release.
- Salon of Culinary Art – The 134th Salon of Culinary Art awarded two of its top honors during the IH/M&RS. The Marc L. Sarazin Trophy for Buffet Presentation was presented to Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI; and the Medal of the French Government, and a cash prize of $1,500, was awarded to Frank Volkommer, chef instructor at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY. The Salon was presented at the IH/M&RS in conjunction with the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, and featured over 300 static works of culinary art and display.
- Editors’ Choice Awards for Best New Products – A panel of 11 industry editors reviewed 165 entries and selected winners in five categories for the 7th annual Editors’ Choice Awards for Best New Products: Celeste Industries Corp. for Amenities; Tumaro’s Gourmet Tortillas & Snacks for Food & Beverage; EZ Cater, Inc. for Foodservice Equipment & Supplies; Table Shox for Furnishings & Fixtures; and Apyron Technologies for Technology. In addition, Table Shox was honored with the Kenneth F. Hine Best of Show Award.
- Gold Key Awards Winners – Grand Prize Winners were announced, and one Best of Show Award was presented, at the 22nd annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design on Monday, November 11, 2002. Yabu Pushelberg was presented the Best of Show Award, as well as the Grand Prize in the Restaurant – Seating Over 110 category, for the Blue Fin – W Hotel, in the W Times Square Hotel in New York City. Grand Prize Winners in each of the seven categories were:
Restaurants – Seating To 110
- Burdifilek (Toronto, Canada) for Basilico, Woodbridge, Canada
Restaurants – Seating Over 110 - Yabu Pushelberg (Toronto, Canada) for Blue Fin – W Hotel, New York, NY
Guest Rooms - HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates (Atlanta, GA) for Le Touessrok Hotel & Spa, Trou D’Eau Douce, Mauritius
Suites
- Walt Disney Imagineering (Glendale, CA) for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Anaheim, CA, with interior design by Brayton Hughes
Lobby/Reception Area - Cheryl Rowley Design (Beverly Hills, CA) for Hotel Monaco, New Orleans, LA
Spa/Resort - RTKL Associates, Inc. (Coral Gables, FL) for Boca Raton Resort & Club Spa, Boca Raton, FL
Senior Living Facility
- Perkins Eastman Architects (Pittsburgh, PA) for Sun City Takatsuki, Takatsuki, Japan
Future Dates and Information
The IH/M&RS is sponsored by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association and is managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLM(r)). The 88th annual IH/M&RS will run Saturday, November 8, through Tuesday, November 11, 2003, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
