FEBRUARY

6-8
GET YOUR SHARE
Learn how to access promotional dollars that flow through foodservice channels at the Trade Promotion Management Masters Forum. Answer Systems Inc. hosts this event at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, FL.
☎ 800-225-6127
www.mastersforum.eventbrite.com

9-12
GO FORTH AND MULTIPLY
Shop for an interesting new concept, or perhaps sell the right to replicate that interesting new concept you’ve developed yourself, at the International Franchise Association’s 48th annual convention. Site is Orlando’s Marriott World Center.
☎ 202-628-8000
www.franchise.org

20-23
MEAT OF THE MATTER
Austin, TX, hosts the National Barbeque Association’s 17th annual Conference and Expo. The Crowne Plaza Hotel is the venue. Note: This is not a cook off event. Rather, it’s a serious professional education and trade event where operators and chefs can gather insider tips from experts.
☎ 512-454-8626
www.nbbqa.org

24-26
DENIZENS OF THE DEEP
Key players from every corner of the seafood world head to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center for the 2008 edition of the International Boston Seafood Show. Check out the “Best New Foodservice Product” winners.
☎ 207-842-5500
www.bostonseafood.com

24-27
FOUR ON THE FLOOR
The International Restaurant Show—Las Vegas and its three colocated sister shows constitute a one-stop shop for the hospitality industry. Joining IRS/LV at the Las Vegas Convention Center will be the Nightclub & Bar Convention, the International Coffee & Tea Expo and HotelWorld Expo.
☎ 800-247-3881
lasvegasrestaurantshow.com

MARCH

6-9
LAB RATS
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
THE NATURAL WORLD
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

17-19
SAFE HAVEN
Check out the latest on the most important topic in foodservice at the Food Safety & Security Summit. FDA czar Dr. David Acheson is the keynoter for this event, now in its tenth year. Site is the Washington, DC Convention Center.
☎ 888-999-3973
www.foodsafetysummit.com

Kiosk Extra HITTING THE HOT BUTTONS: Give the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association plenty of credit. The group may consist of outside suppliers to the restaurant industry, but its members have their fingers on the pulse of operators-customers. How else could they come up with an on-target program like one they’ll be offering at the 2008 edition of COEX, the group’s annual all-industry forum? It’s set for Feb. 24-27 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Consider the topics to be addressed: “The BIG Challenges—Spiraling Costs & Profit Erosion,” “Flavor Discovery,” “Reducing Costs without Reducing Quality” (expected to be so popular COEX will be presenting it twice) and “Translating Asian Flavors for the American Table.” Also on the docket are “State of the Industry” and “Hot Topics in Foodservice,” both with presenters from ace data wranglers The NPD Group, and “The Advantage of Next: Controlling Tomorrow,” with Andy Ford, chief insights officer of Noble Communications. Best of all: It’s free for operators. For more information, call 312-540- 4400 (www.ifmaworld.com).