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Clarion Announces Launch of Atlanta Foodservice Expo BY DANICA TORMOHLEN, contributing editor Atlanta, GA – Clarion Events North Ameri- ca has announced the launch of the Atlanta Foodservice Expo, a trade show serving the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality in- dustries in Georgia and the Southeast. Te inaugural show is scheduled for October 20-22, 2013, at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta. "Tere hasn't been a foodservice show in Atlanta in more than a decade," said Clarion's President David Audrain, who previously managed a major regional foodservice show for the Texas Restau- rant Association. "Atlanta is a major metropolitan market that offers a diverse pool of buyers and sellers for this indus- try, and there isn't another show for this market within 200 miles." According to the National Restaurant Association, there are more than 90,000 foodservice establishments in Georgia and the surrounding states, producing more than $80 billion in sales and sup- porting 2.2 million jobs. Of those, there are more than 35,000 establishments within 200 miles of Atlanta. Te Georgia Restaurant Association has announced it will support the new show and will receive financial remuner- ation as part of an exclusive cooperative agreement with Clarion. Audrain told Trade Show Executive he expects to have additional associations on board soon. GWCC is also supporting the show launch. "Te GWCC has partnered with us in the launch of the Atlanta Foodservice Expo by providing nontraditional terms and significant assistance and flexibility in building an exhibitor package that is of great value," said Audrain. "Te GWCC has been incredibly helpful in getting this show launched, and will surely be a key ingredient in our success." "We contributed electrical, parking, food and Internet services so that Clarion could put together a flexible exhibitor package," said Mark Zimmerman, general manager, GWCC. Clarion is offering a package plan for a 10'x10' booth that includes drayage, a basic electrical drop, booth cleaning, and pipe and drape for an early-bird member price of $2,700, or $27 per square foot. "Our goal is to eliminate the pain points for exhibitors by establish- ing package pricing so there are no sur- prises for our customers," said Audrain. Educational and certification programs for entry-level foodservice staff will be available to attendees at no extra cost. In addition, Clarion is planning a high- level conference program for restaurant owners and general managers that will be offered at reduced costs to the members of the supporting organizations. Clarion Events produces more than 200 events annually across the globe. Te UK-based company employs more than 400 people in 13 offices in 10 countries. Reach David at (770) 432-4200 or David.Audrain@ClarionEvents.com; Mark at (404) 223-4000 or mzimmerm@gwcc.com Everything Be Among the First to Know when Important News Breaks! Timing is Over 8,200 industry executives worldwide depend on E-Clips® and accurately. Shouldn't you? To subscribe, go to www.tradeshowexecutive.com and click on "Subscribe to E-Clips Breaking News" Breaking News to get the full story — quickly www.TradeShowExecutive.com | July 2012 9