The survey polled members of the Show�s owner associations � the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc. and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association � and asked each to indicate the major product and service categories they intended to purchase or specify during the 2004 Show. 

�With 250 new and 1,250 returning exhibitors, the IH/M&RS gives attendees access to a wide variety of companies that are featuring new and innovative products and services for the hospitality industry,� said Christian Falkenberg, show manager. �Nearly everything hoteliers need to outfit and furnish their properties can be found at the Show.�

Two-thirds of respondents expressed interest in guest amenities, while more than 60% of respondents will be looking to source furnishings and bed linens.  Additional categories of interest, including technology and food and beverage, were cited by at least half of the survey respondents.

Attendee John Del Monte of E.J. Del Monte (Rochester, N.Y.), commented, �We have 17 Marriott branded hotels in our portfolio and we are constantly seeking to improve guest satisfaction and our bottom line. During 2005, many of our upstate New York properties will be renovated with new case goods, soft goods and electronics. The IH/M&RS is a great source of products and services for every area of our hotels.�

John Fulton, vice president design and renovation, John Q. Hammons Hotels (Springfield, MO) reported, �The IH/M&RS always offers me the opportunity to meet face-to-face with major industry suppliers so I can best determine if we should get involved with them, and sell Mr. Hammons on their products and services. This Show is also the only one where I can fully gauge what is actually happening in our industry. I sent our designers out to scout products at some other shows this year, but it is New York this November where I�ll make many of the key decisions. In a nutshell, the IH/M&RS is the most important show for us.�

The 89th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show will run Saturday, November 13, through Tuesday, November 16, 2004, at New York City�s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  Following a full-day of conference and networking activities on Saturday, November 13, the IH/M&RS will feature three days of exhibits from Sunday, November 14,  though Tuesday, November 16. The market presents some 1,500 hospitality industry suppliers and attracts approximately 45,000 in total trade attendance.

The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show is sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association; the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc.; the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, and is managed by George Little Management, LLC.