APRIL
11-13
GO FORTH AND MULTIPLY
The 17th annual International Franchise Expo has a three-day run at the Washington, DC Convention Center.
202-628-8000
www.franchiseexpo.com
13-16
LEADERSHIP LOOP
The Women's Foodservice Forum's 2008 annual Leadership Development Conference take place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, DC. Keynote speakers: Gen. Colin Powell, Bertice Berry.
888-202-4042
womensfoodserviceforum.com
23-25
PACK YOUR PASSPORT
Discover new sources of supply at SIAL MONTREAL. Site is the Palais des Congres de Montreal Center. Be sure to check out new travel documentation requirements before you go.
704-365-0041
www.sialmontreal.com/usa
28-30
FIND NEW FUNDS
Restaurant Finance Monitor presents its Franchise Finance & Development Conference. Site is the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
800-528-3296
www.restfinance.com
MAY
2-5
BARISTAPALOOZA
The 2008 U.S. Barista Championship is just one highlight of the Specialty Coffee Association of America's 20th annual conference and exhibition. The primary focus: education. The Minneapolis Convention Center hosts it all.
562-624-4100
conference.scaa.org
8-11
A SURE BET IN VEGAS
Vegas Uncork'd: The Bon Appetit Epicurean Experience sees the town's greatest chefs participate in events up and down the Strip. Note: each event is separately ticketed.
www.bavegasuncorked.com
877-847-4858
15-16
MARKET MAKERS
Distributor types huddle at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza for the International Foodservice Manufacturers' 2008 Sales & Marketing Conference.
312-540-4400
www.ifmaworld.com
19
LUNCH BUNCH
The Women's Foodservice Forum's 2008 Annual Leadership Luncheon takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago during the NRA Show. Keynote speaker is Hala Moddelmog, head of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
888-202-4042
womensfoodserviceforum.com
19-21
CHEFS, THIS IS THE PLACE
The American Culinary Federation presents its 2008 Western Regional Conference. The Hilton Salt Lake City Center is the site.
800-624-9458
www.acfchefs.org
21-25
THE BIG EASY IS BACK
The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience has a five day run across the city.
504-596-3663
www.nowfe.com
Kiosk Extra
BEAT THE CROWDS: Although it seems like the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago had most of the bases already covered, it's debuting a companion show this year: the International Wine, Spirits & Beer event. IWSB will be colocated at McCormick Place with the NRA Show, but has a different schedule. The NRA Show runs May 17-20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while IWSB is open only on May 19-20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is different, too. The IWSB badge ($135 before 4/11, $195 after) gets you into the NRA Show; an NRA badge ($35 before 4/11, $70 thereafter) won't get you into IWSB. You'll need additional credentials, too. “You will be required to present a government-issued photo ID, business card and event badge,” the IWSB website warns. “The names on all three items must match.” You can register for both events by emailing [email protected] or calling 312-580-5410. Overall NRA Show information is available at www.restaurant.org/show or by calling 312-853-2525.
