The National Restaurant Association’s executive vice president of convention, Mary Pat Heftman, recently sat down with Trade Show Executive columnist Bob Dallmeyer to dish about what puts the NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) on the cutting edge of the industry. (Read the full article.)

The magazine’s cover story has this to say about her: As the head of the annual NRA Show an active member of several industry associations, Mary Pat Heftman has earned her place with the leading figures in the trade show industry. Her tireless work with the industry team that helped bring much-needed labor reforms to McCormick Place was topped off by a successful early Summer show highlighted by an ambitious social-media program during the event. These heady successes have the NRA Show the cutting edge of the industry and poised to grow to who knows what heights?

Mary Pat Heftman’s enormous talent, skill and influence are also a reflection of the importance of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show – the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals – to the industry. The event attracts tens of thousands of attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries.

Mary Pat Heftman and the convention team look forward to building on this year’s successful NRA Show and IWSB to create an even better and more exciting event for 2011. 

The NRA Show and IWSB Web sites feature highlights of this year’s events, including video, photos and speaker presentations. In addition to Floored!, the official blog of NRA Show and IWSB, recaps highlights are continually being updated on the sites. The NRA Show is also on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook and YouTube to provide updates, and news on next year’s NRA Show (to be held May 21-24, 2011 at Chicago’s McCormick Place along with the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event, held May 22-23, 2011).

Reposted from Floored!, the official blog of NRA Show and IWSB.