Despite scheduling conflicts with another meeting, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) has decided to keep the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago at McCormick Place, it announced last week.
Although it's contracted with the city until 2016, the association was considering moving its 2012 show — originally scheduled for May 19-22 — to another destination because it was going to overlap with the Global G8 and NATO Summit, which is taking place in Chicago May 15-22, 2012. Instead, it has decided to move its dates up by two weeks.
"The NRA's primary goal is provide our exhibitors and attendees an environment that is conducive to business," said NRA President and CEO Dawn Sweeney. "Discussions with the Chicago Mayor's Office, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority have made it clear to us that the security and logistics requirements for the G8 and NATO Summit will significantly restrict movement within Chicago during that time. Therefore, after carefully considering a number of options, we've come to the conclusion that keeping the 2012 NRA Show in Chicago but moving it to earlier in May will provide the best opportunity for our industry to have a productive and enjoyable 2012 show."
The Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show will now take place May 5-8, 2012, at McCormick Place. A financial package from Chicago convention officials will allow the NRA to reduce potential losses resulting from the schedule change. The show, which has called Chicago home since 1950, attracts more than 58,000 foodservice professionals every year and generates approximately $100 million for the Windy City.