The FMI Show Plus Marketechnics/United Fresh 2008

Where: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

When: May 4-7

Show owners: Food Marketing Institute (The FMI Show Plus Marketechnics) and United Fresh Produce Assn. (United Fresh 2008)

Who exhibits: Manufacturers and suppliers of all things, perishable and otherwise, that would be sold in a supermarket, as well as producers and suppliers of food distribution technology and equipment

Who attends: Buyers, owners and operators of supermarkets and every other kind of food retailer or wholesaler imaginable

First year of collocation: 2008

General service contractor: GES Exposition Services (The FMI Show Plus Marketechnics) and Champion Exposition Services (United Fresh 2008)

New this year: Just about everything. What was once two of five collocated shows called the Supermarket Industry Convention & Educational Exposition (also known as the Power of Five) every May in Chicago broke away and will go it alone in Las Vegas this year.

The bottom line: Good question. Other good questions: After so many years in Chicago with the U.S. Food Export Showcase, Spring/Midwest Intl. Fancy Food & Confection Show and All Things Organic, will attendees and exhibitors travel to Las Vegas for these two shows and then possibly back to Chicago for the other three that begin May 6? And will United Fresh stick with FMI when it heads to Dallas next year?