CANCUN, MEXICO -- The 18th annual Exphotel trade show, the premier event for the hospitality industry in Mexico, was held here this month.  USA Rice was one of 380 international exhibitors at the show that attracted an average of 5,500 attendees daily. Attendees are leading decision makers in the hotel and foodservice sector from the Riviera Maya (Mexican Caribbean region) that include owners, directors, general managers, and purchasers from hotels, resorts, restaurants, culinary institutions, and cruise lines. 

 

The Riviera Maya is an important market for the tourism industry with over 9.4 million visitors annually.  According to the Department of Economic Development for the state of Quintana Roo, the region has 910 hotels with 86,588 rooms - increases of almost two and six percent respectively since 2011.

 

USA Rice exhibited in a double booth, prominently located in a high-traffic corner.  USA Rice chefs conducted rice-cooking classes several times a day throughout the three-day event.  The booth was popular among trade show attendees, who actively participated in the activities and learned more about U.S.-grown rice, proper cooking techniques, and innovative ways to include rice in their menus.

 

USA Rice staff also promoted our Mexico website, social media sites, and distributed foodservice brochures to more than 5,000 visitors.

 

"Currently, rice is not heavily utilized in Mexico's foodservice sector," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice vice president of international promotion.  "We're working to turn this around, and with our participation in Exphotel we're encouraging restaurant owners and professional chefs to include more rice on their menus.  We're showing them that rice offers wholesome food for their guests, and can increase their bottom line.  USA Rice also works with several culinary schools in the region to promote rice training in their curriculum to lay a foundation for rice moving forward."

 

Contact:  Sarah Moran, (703) 236-1457

 June 26