November 2008 Timeline

This planning guide is an organizational tool for all exhibitors; whether you are a first timer or a seasoned trade show participant. It will help you become better prepared and positioned to have a successful experience at our Expo. Each issue offers critical information that will assist with pre-show preparations, denote deadline dates, include details on show floor events and specialty pavilions, and outline a number of free marketing opportunities for your company. Please share this information with others in your organization who are part of the pre-show exhibit planning process. Watch for this newsletter each month through February 2009.

New Additions to the 2009 Expo will Make the Show More Successful than Ever!

Pavilions
For 2009, the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo will proudly feature two brand new specialty pavilions located in the heart of the exhibit hall. It is important for foodservice professionals to stay on top of industry trends, and the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo is working hard to bring current trends into the spotlight.

The new Go Green! Pavilion, sponsored by Focus on Energy, will serve as a resource area for attendees to learn more about how going green is beneficial to the foodservice industry. Organizations will be at the Expo to provide help on green business trends and the importance of operating a green business. Focus on Energy will also be on hand to educate attendees on ways to conserve energy and save money in their foodservice establishments.

According to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry Forecast, Latin American cuisine is among the top 20 trends in menus right now. The 2009 Wisconsin Restaurant Expo will debut a Latin American Pavilion, making it easy for key decision makers to find unique products and ideas for their ethnic cuisines. This new pavilion will host exhibitors that specialize in Latin American products and services, creating a one-stop shop for Expo attendees looking to diversify their menus.

Partnerships
The Wisconsin Restaurant Expo is excited to partner with Wisconsin’s chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), creating the only show in the state with a catering focus. NACE will offer educational sessions geared toward seasoned catering professionals as well as those looking to break into this growing segment of the foodservice industry. And our brand new table top contest will show off the most creative and unique ideas for eight-top settings. For more information on this great new partnership Click here.

For the third year, the Wisconsin Bakers Association will partner with us to attract key bakery and culinary professionals to the Expo. The Bakery Pavilion will offer hands-on decorating, artistry and pastry workshops led by certified bakery experts. The WBA will also be launching a new program to define the Bakers Best Products in Wisconsin. For more information on the Bakery Pavilion please Click here.

New for 2009, the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo will partner with Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops. This partnership will offer a bookselling event area at the show, bringing a fresh and exciting literary experience to the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo. Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops has been Milwaukee’s largest independent bookseller since 1927. With an excellent reputation and experienced staff, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops carry on a rich tradition of promoting fine writing and knowledge-based solutions. For more information on Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops please visit www.schwartzbooks.com.

Industry Articles
Courtesy of Trade-Show-Advisor.com

Trade Show Strategies that Maximize Success

Achieve Results with These Trade Show Strategies
Trade shows offer a great opportunity to showcase your company's products or services. A brochure can explain your selling points, but a trade show can demonstrate them in action.
These events also let customers and prospects see a side of you they can't see from a website -- your enthusiasm. Here are five key strategies to help you get the most out of your trade show events. Click Here to read more.

Trade Show Fixtures Support Image and Sales

Trade show fixtures are integral to the image, functionality and appeal of your exhibit. The quality and style of your countertops, literature racks, lecterns, furniture, writing surfaces and other booth accessories must superbly coordinate with your booth design and reflect your product reputation.
Of course, fixtures must also have utility. If selected, designed and arranged properly, fixtures can help staff more effectively meet with prospects, give product demonstrations, utilize visual aids, and perform other sales activities.

So, how do you strike a balance between look, function and cost for your trade show fixtures? Your best strategy is to begin thinking about trade show fixtures and other necessities during the initial development stages of your exhibit design and show strategy.

2009 Marketing Announcements

New Website Options
The Wisconsin Restaurant Expo rolled out an all new website in June to make it easy for busy professionals to find what they’re looking for without wasting valuable time and energy. Check it out at www.everythingfoodservice.org.

A new addition to the Expo’s website is a shopping cart feature which makes it easy for exhibitors to add on marketing options. You’ll no longer have to download a file, handwrite the information, and fax it in. Now you can purchase preferred customer passes, show program advertising, logo upgrades, and membership list orders all electronically with a few simple clicks of the mouse. Click here to be directed to the shopping cart.

Marketing Opportunities
Pre-show marketing can substantially increase an exhibitor’s booth traffic and their overall success at a show. We’ve created a variety of pre-show marketing programs designed to maximize your exposure and create more face-to-face encounters with top prospects at the Expo. With many options, from Expo Program advertising and logo upgrades to our New Products Preview and Preferred Customer Passes, you’ll find the tools you need to make the 2009 Wisconsin Restaurant Expo an enormous success for your company. Click here to take advantage of any or all of these great marketing opportunities.