News Releases

March 17, 2010

New Conserve Solutions Center Provides Unique Environment for Green-Minded Industry Professionals at NRA Show 2010

(Chicago) Restaurateurs looking for ways to ramp up environmental efforts and find greener business solutions will find the information, products, services and contacts they need in a new feature at the 2010 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. Located on the exhibit floor, the Conserve Solutions Center will highlight how “going green” is not only the right thing to do for the environment, but also a smart way to do business in today’s market.

The Conserve Solutions Center will provide NRA Show 2010 attendees with both inspiration and tools to increase sustainability efforts, which in turn can save on operating costs, increase productivity, motivate staff and attract eco-conscious diners. NRA Show 2010 will be held May 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

“It can be challenging for busy operators to identify ways in which their restaurant can do what’s right for the planet and what’s right for their business at the same time,” said Ira Cohn, Convention Chair for NRA Show 2010 and President of ARAMARK Business and Industry Group. “The Conserve Solutions Center will be a one-stop-shop for any sustainability-related business needs, where NRA Show 2010 attendees can learn how to best incorporate greener practices into their restaurants, as well as find the equipment, products and services to make it part of everyday operations.”

The Conserve Solutions Center will showcase exhibits highlighting a range of products and services to help restaurant operators reduce energy and water use, decrease waste, find ideas for “green” remodeling and construction projects, and more. The pavilion will feature both full exhibit booths and a “kiosk garden” with compact exhibits and “satellites” to booths located elsewhere on the trade show floor.

It will also feature a series of sustainability-focused presentations and panel discussions that will explain how to put ideas into practice and how to select the best options for specific restaurant operations.

National Restaurant Association research shows that environmentally sustainable practices are important to today’s consumers. Four out of 10 say they are likely to make a restaurant choice based on a restaurant’s conservation practices. And restaurants are responding: forty percent of fullservice restaurants and 31 percent of quickservice restaurants plan to devote more resources to green initiatives in 2010.

The Conserve Solutions Center is an extension of the National Restaurant Association’s Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability initiative and Web site. The initiative’s goal is to encourage and assist restaurant operators to increase their environmental efforts while preserving – and boosting – their bottom line. The Web site, Conserve.Restaurant.org, provides tips, tools and resources to help restaurants reduce their environmental footprint and increase business.

The National Restaurant Association will also make an announcement about the unveiling of its new national recognition program “Greener Restaurants” in the Conserve Solutions Center during NRA Show 2010.

A track of the NRA Show 2010’s 70+ education sessions, free to all registered attendees, will also be focused on sustainability issues. Visit www.restaurant.org/show for a full schedule of education sessions.

Companies interested in exhibiting in the Conserve Solutions Center should contact the National Restaurant Association at (312) 853-2525 or nraexhibitinfo@restaurant.org. To sponsor presentations or participate in discussion panels, contact Chris Moyer at cmoyer@restaurant.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 tens of thousands of 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.

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Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of nearly 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.