I just recently got back from my annual pilgrimage to the National Restaurant Show. Being in the business, we are lucky to have the largest show of it's kind in the world right in our own backyard. I think I have been to everyone since the mid 1970s.  If you want to see where things are headed in the restaurant business, this is the place to do it. The National Restaurant Association's annual show is the biggest of its kind, attracting a worldwide audience of more than 2,100 exhibitors and 70,000 attendees. According to the NRA, "restaurants are the nation's largest private-sector employers, generating an annual economic impact of $1 trillion." This is where these legions of industry professionals come to see what's new, what they'll be serving, how they'll be cooking it, what they'll be serving it on, even how they'll clean up after.
 
This year it was interesting to see the effects of our economy on the show. One exhibitor told me attendance was down 43% and the exhibition floors that were once 3 full floors are now down to 2 not so full floors.
 
While I find new things every year and attend several of the more than 50 industry related seminars, I think it would be a fun trip for just about any foodie.  The show is said to be just for industry professionals but it is relatively easy for anyone to get a pass. The best part for an outsider might be that it is the world's largest smorgasbord.  There are cooking demonstrations by many celebrity chefs. Because it is almost impossible to cover in one day you can direct your attention to one of several pavilions dedicated to a segment of the industry. A few examples might be the Organic & Natural Pavilion, International Cuisine Pavilion, Technology Pavilion and the American Food Fair -- Ray
NRA Show Video