EVENTS: West Coast WOW!

Attend the 78^th annual Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, to be held Aug. 17-19, and propel your business forward. Tagged “where trends are revealed,” the expo offers a one-stop, well-rounded networking and learning experience complete with 30-plus educational sessions and fun special events. And of course, the exhibit hall will be buzzing with leading manufacturers of equipment and supplies touting their newest products.

Backed by the California Restaurant Association and managed by new owners, Urban Expositions, the expo will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. The show again will pair with the Expo Comida Latina, North America’s only industry trade event focused on Hispanic foodservice and retail markets.

Together the two events will attract some 600 vendors and more than 10,000 foodservice and retail pros. The following event must-sees will help you plan for a successful trip:

Classroom Happenings

Show registration includes open access to the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum, providing relevant, practical educational content for key decision-makers. Chef Ferdinand Metz, head of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y., carefully has selected industry experts to present the following topics:

In “Nine Leadership Traits Required for Success in the Hospitality Industry,” Darren Denington of Service with Style Hospitality Group in Brandon, Fla., will share how having the right people in the right positions is critical for the success of any restaurant. The session takes place Aug. 18 at 11:15 a.m. Denington also will present “Effective Management Skills for Operating & Maximizing Profits” on Aug. 19 at 11:15 a.m.

Seyie Putsure of Seyie Design, a Los Angeles-based boutique design firm, will share “Five Key Elements for Successful Interior Branding in Café, Restaurant and Retail Spaces” on Aug. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Discover the five elements you need in a well-branded interior and learn how to incorporate them into your store.

On Aug. 18 at 2:30 p.m., panelists will cover the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act, a law impacting the foodservice industry with new rules and regulations. In a similar session, “Know the Facts: What the Health Department Says About Donating Leftover Food,” presenters will share how to get started as a donor. This session starts at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 19.

Also exciting this year: the one-day Roam Food Truck Academy geared toward restaurant owners. Attend the Aug. 18 event and learn how to launch a successful mobile food business. Everyone is invited, and you must register separately at roamconference.com/academy. Additional fees apply.

Mix And Mingle

Make the Solutions Center one of your first stops in the exhibit hall. Here you can network with peers and attend a few of the educational sessions offered through the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum. Consult your show guide for the full content lineup.

The center hosts the New Product Showcase where exhibitors show off equipment and food and beverage products they’ve recently brought to market. Vote for the “Best in Show” and enter to win your own exhibit-hall shopping spree.

Show Floor Events

Show organizers have lined up a mix of super-charged special events in the exhibit hall. New this year, the California Craft Brewers Association Pavilion will showcase top-notch California craft brewers. Stop in for a taste test.

Discover culinary innovations at the Food Trends Experience. The exhibit-hall hot spot provides direct access to products, flavors and ingredients that are driving trends. Stop by the Culinary Demonstration Theater to watch industry pros at work and check out the equipment they’re using.

On Aug. 17 at 3 p.m., the “Culinary Clash: Battle Anaheim” will pit industry heavyweights against each other in an ultimate battle of skill and mettle. The cooking competition/fundraiser benefits the CRA Educational Foundation. Enjoy appetizers and beverages while rooting for your favorite team.

Espresso lovers unite at the “Ultimate Barista Challenge USA.” Professional baristas will face-off, preparing their signature espresso beverages for a panel of discerning judges. Watch the action, plus learn the value of fine espresso and coffee on your menu and tips for driving profitability.

Looking for more details? Log onto westernfoodexpo.com to search exhibitors, find special offers or sign up for the Multi Unit Operator Alliance, which offers a VIP experience to multi-unit operators.

Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
Aug. 17-19, 2014
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif.
Show Hours
Sunday, Aug. 17
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 18
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 19
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For more information, visit westernfoodexpo.com.