Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel officially opened the
National Restaurant Association, Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show this morning.
Emmanuel shared ribbon-cutting duties with NRA Chairman Rosalyn "Roz' Mallet (PhaseNext Hospitality) before touring the exhibit floor with NRA leaders. His tour included visits to exhibitors Front of the House, Keating of Chicago and Eli's Cheesecake Co.
This year's NRA Show features food, beverage, equipment and technology innovations; cooking and equipment demonstrations; more than 70 education sessons; and other activities.
Jimmy Doyle, district manager, Mint Julep Restaurant Group, plans to spend much of his time in education sessions over the next four days. The company, which operates 27 Cheddar's franchises, is starting a new concept this year and sent nine people to the NRA Show.
"Everyone has their own little mission," says Doyle, who started the day at a session on employee engagement.
The NRA Show, which runs through Tuesday at McCormick Place, attracts more than 50,000 restaurant industry professionals from more than 100 countries and features nearly 2,000 exhibitors.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel opens the NRA Show
QSR