NRA Show 2015 adds specialty pavilions

THE National Restaurant Association is  launching two specialty pavilions at its NRA Show 2015 scheduled from May 16 to 19 at the McCormick Place in Chicago. These special areas of the exhibit floor will make it easy for foodservice operators not just imagine the future, but also watch it come together, by investing in products and services that provide a competitive edge.

At the Startup Alley, attendees to the NRA Show will be able to meet young companies with potential to impact the business. These are creative, innovative startups with new technology-savvy solutions. Exhibitors in the Startup Alley have to be in operation for no more than five years, may not participate in Startup Alley for more than one year, and must have at least one paying customer. Their products and services will focus on the use of technology to solve a problem within the restaurant industry, including supply chain, marketing, sustainability, payments and operations. Visiting this new area of the show floor will allow attendees to find unheard of companies and solutions that will differentiate them from their competitors. 

Restaurateurs looking for ways to introduce a whole new world of creativity and personalization to their final products should explore the 3D Printing Zone. In this unique space, participants can see 3D printing in action and discover how it can change the way the US restaurant industry operates in the near future.  3D printing technology long ago moved from being theoretical to a reality, and in recent years foodservice companies and chefs have started to use it as a tool in food preparation and presentation. 

3D printers originated to help designers, researchers in biotechnology and aircraft-makers, but today it can help, for example, to produce a ceramic piece of bakeware or a cake topped with an “exoskeleton” made of flavored sugar. In this new zone of the show floor attendees can watch the future of the industry.

In addition to the new zones, attendees will be able to find leading experts from progressive companies in eight already-famous specialized areas of the show floor. The Conserve Solutions Center will present sustainability focused  products  that  can  lower  costs,  waste,  energy  use  and  environmental  impact,  plus  attract  eco-minded guests. The Alternative Bitestyle pavilion will continue to showcase products and ingredients for vegetarian/vegan, low sodium, gluten free and allergy needs that make menu modification easy. 

In the Technology Pavilion, discover the latest class of top back-of-the-house equipment and technology products vetted by experts. Try them out in person and engage the experts. By visiting the Franchise Pavilion meet turn-key concepts  ready to  franchise  along  with  franchise-centric  products,  services  and  education  to  start, manage  and grow an operation.

The World Culinary Showcase will have the most talented and creative chefs in the world. Get a rare look at master  techniques,  tips,  recipes  and  secrets  —plus  stories,  laughs  and  philosophies  to  share  when  you  return home. At the Foodamental Studio participate in a hit series of hands-on workshops that let you roll up your sleeves with the experts and try out the processes and techniques behind today’s hottest trends.

Find an oasis of organic and natural products and labels that menu-minded consumers increasingly care about at the Organic & Natural Pavilion and connect with U.S. food producers and processors interested in exporting their quality products at the American Food Fair.

The NRA Show is a global marketplace where professionals from more than 100 countries are able to discover over 900 product categories from 2,000+ suppliers, including food, beverage, equipment, supplies, lodging and more.