Brace Yourself for the Louisiana Foodservice and Hospitality EXPO

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

From August 11-13, some 11,000 attendees will descend on the New Orleans Morial Convention Center for the Louisiana Restaurant Association's marquee event?the 59th Annual Louisiana Foodservice and Hospitality EXPO, which this year is themed "The Art of Hospitality." The event will be held in Halls I-J from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. over the weekend, and then from 10-3 on Monday. The press release gushes that the EXPO is the granddaddy of all hospitality industry happenings:

The EXPO, themed “Art of Hospitality,” is the largest, most comprehensive industry event in the Gulf South region and this year will be no exception. Companies will be exhibiting in more than 400 booths, featuring a wide range of industry products and services. The EXPO will feature an environment where attendees can network and promote their businesses.

Attendees should keep their eyes peeled for the EXPO's newest innovation, a series of educational sessions call the "Idea Zone," where presentations will cover emerging trends and business practices. In other words, New Orleans food trucks should snag a starring role.

Here's the full press release:

METAIRIE, La.—The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA)’s premier foodservice event, the 59thAnnual Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO, will be August 11-13 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Halls I-J, with an estimated 11,000 attendees. The EXPO is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, the EXPO is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 The EXPO, themed “Art of Hospitality,” is the largest, most comprehensive industry event in the Gulf South region and this year will be no exception. Companies will be exhibiting in more than 400 booths, featuring a wide range of industry products and services. The EXPO will feature an environment where attendees can network and promote their businesses.

The EXPO’s exhibit space is nearly sold out, with 67 new exhibiting companies.

A new feature of the EXPO this year is its IDEA ZONE, where express presentations will be made all three days of the EXPO. They will cover emerging trends, best business practices and professional development.

“The EXPO is a must for the foodservice professional. From educational sessions in our new IDEA ZONE to the latest trends in products and services, the EXPO will be your one-stop shop for all your restaurant needs,” said Stan Harris, president & CEO of the LRA.

IDEA ZONE presentations will be available to educate restaurateurs about the latest restaurant industry trends, which in turn will further develop the hospitality industry as a whole.

· Louisiana Restaurant Association [Official Site]