Show of the Week: Natl. Restaurant Assn. Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 5/14/2007

Where: McCormick Place, Chicago

When: May 19–22 (annual)

Show manager: Natl. Restaurant Assn.

Show owner: Natl. Restaurant Assn.

Service contractor: GES Exposition Services

Who exhibits: Food, food equipment, products and services for the hospitality and lodging industry

Who attends: Corporate executives, owners and operators, managers, food equipment distributors, manufacturers and suppliers

2006 show statistics: 600,008 net sq. ft.; 2,080 exhibitors; 52,164 professional attendees

Position on the 2007 TSW 200: 30

First year of show: 1919

New this year: Let the political stumping begin. Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator, rumored-to-be Republican presidential candidate and actor on "Law and Order", is the featured speaker.

The bottom line: Chicago almost lost the show last year when labor issues seemed insurmountable, but after some fancy footwork and good old-fashioned tough talk about leaving town altogether, Chicago and the NRA made up and the show's booked through 2011.

Sources: 2007 TSW Data Book; 2007 TSW 200; Natl. Restaurant Assn.