Clarion Events North America Launches Atlanta Foodservice Expo
June 25, 2012
Clarion Events North America will launch its first new show in the United States – the Atlanta Foodservice Expo – which will serve the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industries in Georgia and the Southeast.
The annual show will debut Oct. 20-22, 2013, at the Georgia World Congress Center.
“We are excited about the opportunity to bring a focused show to a major market that will not only bring buyers and sellers together, but will also deliver a unique package of services and value,” said David Audrain, Clarion N.A.’s president.
He added, “This unparalleled industry event will ensure that both attendees and exhibitors achieve the maximum return on investment.”
Audrain has a background in the foodservice industry, having spent almost a decade as an executive at the Texas Restaurant Association during which time he managed the Southwest Foodservice Expo.
Besides a showfloor, the Atlanta Foodservice Expo also will offer a conference program at no cost for attendees, as well as high-level conference programming to members of supporting organizations.
In addition, there will be live demonstrations on the showfloor from chefs and restaurateurs.
"Our members have been asking for a trade show like this for years," said Georgia Restaurant Association Executive Director Karen Bremer.
She added, "That's why we are so pleased to support the Foodservice Expo in Atlanta."
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 2.2 million jobs, with more than 35,000 of those establishments within just 200 miles of Atlanta.
“Atlanta is one of the very best locations in the country to hold a show like this,” Audrain said.
He added, “It is one of the most cost-effective cities and venues, enabling us to put a booth package together for exhibitors that will give them one cost that could include everything (even ‘material-handling’ charges that frequently frustrate exhibitors) they need at the show.”
Bremer added, "This trade show is an opportunity for our industry to come together. Through education, commerce and fellowship we strengthen not just individual businesses, but Georgia's foodservice industry as a whole."
The Atlanta Foodservice Expo is just the latest show for Clarion Events N.A., a division of U.K.-based Clarion Events, that has been announced since the new division was formed earlier this year.
Clarion Events N.A. also was awarded the management contract by The Navy League of the United States for its annual “Sea-Air-Space” Exposition, and it launched a U.S. edition of its Counter Terror Expo.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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