WHITE PLAINS, NY, November 18, 2009…The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show^® (IH/M&RS) proved once again to be the event for suppliers to meet hospitality industry decision-makers as the 94^th annual Show drew 16,371 operators, and a total trade attendance of 26,801, to New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, November 7-10, 2009. Optimism of an industry upswing was evident through orders written, leads generated, increased international attendance and enhanced participation by the equipment dealer community.

            “In a trying year for the hospitality industry, the 2009 Show was a success,” said Lynn White, show manager. “Industry suppliers recognized the need to stay in front of decision-makers for the business opportunities it will afford as the industry continues to rebound, while buyers were compelled to attend for the latest products, services and education geared towards the economic times.”

            “We came into this Show not knowing what to expect considering the state of the industry, and our result has been a good show,” said Hans Disch, vice president and general manager of IH/M&RS exhibitor, Dometic.  “The number of leads generated has been solid, and we were very impressed with the international attendance, particularly from Latin America.”

            The Hospitality Leadership Forum kicked off the four-day event on Saturday, November 7, attracting more than 450 top-level lodging executives in search of insight from industry experts through the CEO Leadership Panel and U.S. Lodging Industry Summit Panel. Breakout seminars followed, addressing such topics as “Tweets and APPtitude,” “Managing Human Capital in a Difficult Economy,” “Purchasing Strategies for New Realities,” “Does IT Matter” and “Know What a Guest Wants, Even When They Don’t Know.” Seminars continued throughout Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9, offering further insight on current trends and tactics for surviving financial hardships. 

            Foodservice professionals from business and industry dining, healthcare and restaurants responded positively to the all-new New York Marketplace – presented by The M. Tucker Company – where manufacturers of equipment, tabletop, and small wares were complemented by new product displays, food and beverage tastings, book signings, demonstrations and seminars.

            The best new products on the Show floor, as determined by a panel of editors from the leading hospitality trade publications, were once again recognized with Editors’ Choice Awards during the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, November 8. Winners were MTS Seating (décor), Protect-A-Bed^®-Chicago (essentials), Bella Luna Yoga (luxury), Frieling USA (restaurant), Bittel Electronics (technology), JKF Contract (green décor), Pacific Coast Feather Company (green essentials), BluePoint Living (green luxury), Ciao, Inc. (green restaurant) and Energy Eye, Inc. (green technology). Top honors – the Kenneth F. Hine Best of Show Award – was presented to Bittel Electronics for UNO, a hotel guest room phone, alarm clock/radio with high-end audio performance and iPod/mp3 player in a single converged unit.

            The Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design – the top award recognition for the global hospitality design community – was once again held in conjunction with the IH/M&RS. The awards program honored seven design firms responsible for the forward-thinking designs found in hospitality properties around the world that were built or renovated within the past 18 months. More than 230 entries from 24 countries were considered by a panel of notable designers, hoteliers and restaurateurs – the largest number of entries in the award’s 29-year history. In addition, Designer of the Year Alexandra Champalimaud was honored, as well as NEWH, The Hospitality Industry Network ICON of Industry Jerry Hruby-Holy of Unilight.

The 95^th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show will run Saturday, November 13, through Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Following a full-day of conference and networking activities on Saturday, November 13, the IH/M&RS will feature three full days of exhibits from Sunday, November 14, through Tuesday, November 16. The market presents some 700 hospitality industry suppliers and attracts approximately 30,000 in total trade attendance.

            The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show is sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association; and is managed by GLM^®, LLC. 

            For IH/M&RS exhibitor information, contact Lynn White, show manager, at GLM, 1133 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604. Telephone (914) 421-3249. Fax (914) 948-6197. E-mail: lynn_white@glmshows.com. For attendee information, contact GLM Customer Relations at (914) 421-3206 or (800) 272-SHOW, or by email, at customer_relations@glmshows.com.  Additional information and registration is available online, at www.ihmrs.com. 

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