July 24, 2009
Contact: Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677, Derrek J. Hull (312) 853-2522

(Chicago) National Restaurant Association Executive Vice President of Convention Mary Pat Heftman was voted Favorite Show Manager in the first annual Trade Show Exhibitors Association’s (TSEA) Exhibitors’ Choice Awards. Heftman tied the top spot with Karen Chupka of the Consumer Electronics Show. The National Restaurant Association’s annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show – the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals – was also awarded an Honorable Mention in the Favorite Show of 2009 awards category voting by exhibiting industry professionals.

The NRA Show2009 and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event provided tens of thousands of high-quality foodservice and hospitality buyers from across all industry segments with innovative products and services from exhibiting companies, as well as ideas to help boost their business.

“This is a true testament to Mary Pat's enormous talent, skill and influence, as well as to the importance of the NRA Show to the industry,” said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “We couldn’t be prouder of her and of our Show, and would like to thank exhibitors and the entire industry for showing their support by voting in such great numbers. We look forward to building on this year’s successful NRA Show to create an even better event in 2010.”

The NRA Show Web site features highlights of this year’s event, including video, photos and speaker presentations. In addition, Floored!, the official blog of NRA Show 2009 and IWSB, recaps highlights and will be continually updated after the event. The NRA Show is also on Twitter @nrashow2010 to provide post-show updates, and news on next year’s NRA Show (to be held May 22-25, 2010, at McCormick Place in Chicago).

Exhibitors from across North America voted online for their favorite trade shows, trade show managers, convention cities and other categories in June and July.

Since 1966, TSEA has been providing knowledge to marketing and management professionals who use exhibits, events and face-to-face marketing to promote and sell their products, as well as to those who supply them with products and services. Members benefit from access to education, networking, resources, advocacy and member-only discounts on products and services that all exhibit and event professionals use. TSEA is headquartered in Chicago. and regional chapters exist throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, visit tsea.org.

The annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals. NRA Show 2010 will be held May 22-25, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event attracts attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries, and showcases more products, services, innovative ideas and other growth opportunities than any other industry event. For more information, visit the Show Web site at www.restaurant.org/show.