�If you work in the hospitality industry, then you can�t afford to miss LVIHRS,� said Felix Rappaport, president and COO of New York-New York Hotel & Casino and chairman of the LVIHRS. �The show has the most comprehensive range of products and services needed in today�s hospitality industry. Plus, the seminars we�ve assembled offer the most up-to-date information from the industry�s top leaders and insiders.�

The show�s 300 exhibitors, representing international as well as national companies, will offer a wide variety of products including furnishings, technology solutions, bed linens and amenities, food items and foodservice equipment and supplies.  New suppliers include Universal Marketing from Italy, who is bringing a contingent of more than 10 Italian suppliers of olive oil, cheeses, coffee, chocolate, tomato sauce and hotel and restaurant furniture; Masten Furniture of High Point, NC, a producer of case goods; Multi Systems of Phoenix, a provider of technology solutions; and Eagle Foodservice, a food distributor from Las Vegas.

In addition to the numerous exhibits, the educational programs at the LVIHRS will offer something for everyone. Notably, two keynote panel discussions with top leaders of the restaurant and lodging industries will take place during the two-day exhibition.

On Wednesday, June 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Regynald Washington, vice president and general manager of Disney Regional Entertainment/ESPN Zone, will moderate a state-of-the-restaurant-industry panel about the keys to prosperity in the restaurant business. Panelists set to participate include Howard Hamada, president, Hamada�s Inc.; Julian Serrano, principal and executive chef of Picasso�s at the Bellagio; Tony Grappo, joint venture partner, Outback Steakhouse; and Scott DeGraff, co-owner of the Nine Group.

On Thursday, June 20, Mike Malley, publisher and editorial director of Advanstar Communication Inc.�s Hotel and Motel Management Hospitality Network, will host �Lodging � A View from the Top� from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. High-level hotel and casino executives from throughout the country will talk about the state of hotel industry today and in the near future. The scheduled panelists include Robert Baldwin, president and CEO, MGM MIRAGE; Peter Yesawich, president and CEO, Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown; Jay Witzel, president, Carlson Hotels; and Doug Patterson, executive vice president and COO; Cendant Corporation Hotel Group.

During each of these hour-long panel discussions, the moderators will ask a series of questions designed to target key issues relevant to each panel.
 
�On the restaurant panel, we�ll discuss three key issues facing the industry,� Washington said. �We�ll talk about labor issues, maintaining standards and community outreach.�

Washington, who is also the vice chairman of the board of the National Restaurant Association said the national restaurant industry, with an expected $408 billion in revenue and an economic impact of $1 trillion this year, and 11.6 million employees, is a �very powerful industry and a cornerstone of the U.S. economy.�

�That is why it is important to discuss these issues,� Washington said. �In Las Vegas especially, because it is the driving force in the fastest growing restaurant state in the nation, we need to determine how to meet the needs of the labor market. It is also essential to talk about how to maintain standards so we don�t over-promise and under-deliver. Proper training is a key factor.�

During the hospitality panel, �Lodging � A View from the Top,� a wide variety of topics will be addressed that focus on how the lodging industry has changed since Sept. 11. According to Malley, the panel will discuss specifically the changing travel habits post Sept. 11.

�Since Sept. 11, the public has redefined travel patterns in the United States,� Malley said. �Their tentativeness has set new boundaries on how far they travel, what means of transportation they use and when they go. International travelers are also hesitant. It is important to convince people that it is safe to travel. We�ll explore options on how to get that message out.�

Other seminars during the show include:

Wednesday, June 19

�Technology 2002: What�s Next?,� 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., on how ways in which hoteliers embrace the Internet and e-Business in their day-to-day business operations, plus insight into the types of technology investments available and common approaches to online marketing and measuring return on e-Business investments (ROI). Moderator: Pearl Brewer, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Speakers: Scott Anderson, High Country Hospitality; Andrew Hale Feinstein, Ph.D., UNLV College of Hotel Administration; Mark Hamilton, MHM, CHE, CHTP, Evans & Chastain, L.L.P.; and Danny Hudson, Newmarket International.

�Ask the Experts � Answers to Your Burning Questions,� 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., on reducing employee turnover, training better employees, creating instant flow-thought profit and dealing with unruly customers. Speaker: Bill Main of Bill Main & Associates.

�Innovative Ways to Increase RevPar when Profits are Flat,� 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., on ways to succeed during turbulent times and come out ahead. Speaker: Bruce Baltin, PKF Consulting Group and Reginald McDowell, MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Thursday, June 20

�Human Resources: Service with a Smile,� 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., on how to understand, motivate and improve employee performance. Speaker: Cindy Casaday, Hospitality Masters.

�Security: Good Food Safety is not an Option�It�s a Must!,� 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., on learning and understanding HACCP regulations. Speaker: Pete Allen, Environmental Services, Ltd.

The 2002 LVIHRS also features several high-spirited competitions:

Las Vegas Culinary Challenge: The country�s next generation of chefs will compete during both days of the LVIHRS for American Culinary gold medals at the Las Vegas Culinary Challenge. Each competing chef will prepare a signature dish at one of six cooking stations. Judging the competition is lead judge John Hui, Certified Executive Pastry Chef at Caesars Palace. Hui was just named Chef of the Year by the Fraternity of Executive Chefs of Las Vegas.  Other judges include four certified master chefs. There are only 60 certified master chefs in the entire country. They are: Gustav Mauler owner of Spiedini, Oxo, Sazio and BullShrimp; Jurgen Weise of the Culinary Acadmey in San Fransisco; Richard Schneider, food and beverage director at the Stardust; and David Kellaway at Mandalay Bay.

LVIHRS Hospitality Competitions: Join the nation�s top housekeepers from more than 25 of Las Vegas� major hotels as they compete in several exhilarating contests including the bed-making competition, buffer pad toss, a Johnny mop toss and a vacuum relay. The MGM Grand has won the bed-making competition for the last three years. Will they be unseated? Find out at the LVIHRS Hospitality Competitions on Wednesday, June 19 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the main exhibit hall.

Hospitality Hero Awards: The Hospitality Hero Awards will honor hospitality employees who have demonstrated selfless acts of courage while on the job. The awards are the industry�s way of showing its appreciation to the people that have gone above and beyond by saving lives and property. Award winners will be recognized during the International Hospitality Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 20 at 12:30 p.m.

The LVIHRS Menu Competition: Restaurant menus will be awarded based on design, creativity and merchandising power within seven categories including: restaurants with an average check less than $15, an average check of $15-$35 and an average check over $36. Finalists and award winners will be recognized at the Menu Design Display on the LVIHRS exhibit floor.

The show is open to anyone in the hospitality industry. Registration is available at www.LVIHRS.com or by calling 800-272-SHOW. The cost to attend the show is $35.

The 2002 LVIHRS marks the second event produced under a partnership between the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association (NH&LA), Nevada Restaurant Association (NRA), the owners of the 87-year old New York City-based International Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSH&TA). LVIHRS is managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLM). 

For exhibitor information, contact Christian Falkenberg, show manager, at GLM, 10 Bank Street, White Plains, NY 10606-1954. Telephone (914) 421-3296. Fax (914) 948-6180. E-mail: [email protected]. For attendee information, contact GLM�s customer service department at (914) 421-3206.