THE MARKET

The IH/M&RS featured 1,400 exhibitors in six targeted market categories � Décor, Technology, Restaurant, Flavors, Essentials and Luxury. The Show featured more than 40 educational seminars for lodging and hospitality professionals, a culinary center with live cooking demonstrations and countless networking opportunities. Some 35,000 attendees participated.

� �New� was the buzz word at the 2004 IH/M&RS. From new exhibitors and products, to new seminars and educational conferences, the market was all about innovation and creativity. This year, the new format generated greater attendee density on the floor each day, and added to the market�s overall success. The level of buying activity reported at the Show indicates a prosperous year ahead for the entire hospitality industry.�

ExhIbitor Feedback

�As a first-time exhibitor, it was a fantastic show. This is a great new market for us.� 

�The Show has been very productive. The three-day show format works well for us and we are very pleased with our location�combining the food products and the equipment works really well. This seems like a whole new Show for us, with exactly the kind of customers  we�re looking for.�

�This has been an amazing show. We loved the Luxury Product Collection;  it really states to the customer that we have brought something special to the Show. We�ve seen many of the big operators�which is our core customer base�and these people are really buying.�

�Traffic has been swift.  We have a lot of great leads.�

NEW FEATURES

Hospitality Leadership Forum

More than 500 lodging professionals attended the all-new Hospitality Leadership Forum, a full-day conference for the hospitality industry, Saturday, November 13, at the Javits Center. The event featured two lodging sessions, an Industry Summit and an Industry Outlook, as well as a keynote luncheon with Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala, co-hosts of CNN�s Crossfire. Concurrent breakout sessions covered government advocacy; leadership skills; lodging food and beverage; sales and marketing; diversity; and technology.

Restaurant Futurists Power Circles

A sold-out crowd of more than 75 culinary professionals attended �Food Arts Power Circles: Masters of the Future, Keepers of the Flame,� a revolutionary, full day educational event, complete with seminars and a three course lunch at The French Culinary Institute, on Saturday, November 13, 2004. Charter participants included representatives from The American Culinary Federation; American Institute of Wine & Food; The Culinary Institute of America; Distinguished Restaurants of North America; French Culinary Institute; International Council on Hotel Restaurant and Institution Education; Johnson & Wales University; New American Farmer Initiative; Research Chefs of America; and Women Chefs & Restaurateurs. 

Luxury Product Collection

Located within the Décor section of the Show, the new Luxury Product Collection highlighted the growing luxury segment of the hospitality and lodging industries. Featuring 46 manufacturers, this new focus area showcased deluxe furniture, linens, amenities, tableware and other hospitality-related items.  Charter companies included both first-time exhibitors and long-time participants, including Anichini, Asiaphile / Via Motif, Brintons Carpet, Capel, Lather and Objet Insolite.

RECORD SPENDING

Record spending by the military significantly contributed to the enormous buying power seen at the 2004 Show. The United States Air Force Non-Appropriated Funding office spent more than $32 million � an increase of 10% over last year, signifying the Air Force�s largest monetary commitment to the IH/M&RS to date. Purchases were made for Air Force, Army and Navy base lodges worldwide.

MARKET AWARDS

Editors� Choice Awards

The ninth annual Editors� Choice Awards were presented to six winners, along with the Kenneth F. Hine award for �Best of Show�, during the opening ceremony of the IH/M&RS, on Sunday, November 14, 2004. Editors from the top hospitality and culinary trade publications reviewed more than 130 submissions and selected outstanding new products in six categories. The winners are:
 

Gold Key Awards

Eight grand prize winners were honored at the 24th annual IH/M&RS Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, November 15, 2004, at New York City�s W Hotel.  In connection with the program�s new sponsors, Interior Design magazine and HOTELS magazine, the event featured new and updated categories as well as the presentation of two new industry awards, �Designer of the Year� and the NEWH �Icons of Industry� Scholarship.
 

The first annual �Designer of the Year� Award was presented to the design firm of Yabu Pushelberg.  This new award applauds the work of a designer or firm for leadership and vision in hospitality design.  The first NEWH �Icons of Industry� Scholarship was endowed by Patricia Durkan in honor of her late father, Thomas R. Durkan, Sr., founder of Durkan Patterned Carpet. The Scholarship was awarded to Anna Perryman, a student of the Harrington Institute of Design in Chicago, IL.

MARKET OFFERINGS

Salon of Culinary Arts

The 136th Annual Salon of Culinary Arts, presented by the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, offered more than 300 entries of static works of culinary art and displays. Showcased were pastry works, fish and poultry, and buffet tables presented by master chefs, pastry chefs, butchers, and apprentices.

Demonstration Kitchen

The IH/M&RS Demonstration Kitchen offered daily live demonstrations and tastings by top chefs. Presentations were coordinated by Food Arts magazine, Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, Le Cordon Bleu Schools of North America and the Culinary Institute of America. Demonstrations included lamb preparation with Suvir Savan; duck dishes by Michel Nischan; potato creations by Alain Sailhac; and �Modern Trends in Desserts� by several world-renowned pastry chefs.

Future Dates and Information

The IH/M&RS is sponsored by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association and is managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLMÒ). The 90th annual IH/M&RS will run November 12 through November 15, 2005 (Exhibits November 13-15), at New York City�s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.