MARCH

6-9

LESSONS FROM THE LAB

Some of the most creative minds in foodservice head for Seattle to swap ideas at the Research Chefs Association's Annual Conference and Culinology Expo. Site is the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

404-252-3663
www.culinology.org

13-16

GOING FOR THE GREEN

How many people truly embrace such current trends as “green,” “natural” and “sustainability”? Find out by attending the gigantic Natural Products EXPO West event. The colocated Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace provides a “Farmer's Market” forum for one-to-one interaction with organic producers.

866-458-4935
www.expowest.com

16-19

PEOPLE POWER

The HR in Hospitality Conference and Expo convenes at the Wynn Las Vegas. Key sessions include “Want Fries With That Wage and Hour Lawsuit?”; “Taking a Bite out of Restaurant Employee Turnover”; and “Strategies to Attract and Retain Back of the House Employees.”

800-727-1227
www.hrinhospitality.com

17-19

SAFE HAVEN

Check out the latest on the most important topic in foodservice at the Food Safety & Security Summit. FDA czar David Acheson is the keynoter for this event, now in its 10th year. Site is the Washington, DC, Convention Center.

888-999-3973
www.foodsafetysummit.com

31-4/2

NEED TO NETWORK?

Top executives from all corners of the restaurant industry travel to Scottsdale, AZ, to swap ideas at Restaurant Leadership 08. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa hosts this event.

480-337-3400
www.restaurantleadership.com

31-4/3

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS

David Scott Peters presents his restaurant operations workshop, “Running A Profitable Restaurant: From Soup to Nuts,” at the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas.

877-457-6278www.restaurant-profits.com

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
www.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

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 coolocated 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 nraregistration@dineout.org or calling 312-580-5410. Overall NRA Show information is available at www.restaurant.org/show or by calling 312-853-2525.