Event News
By Donna Hood
Crecca
Celebrating 25 Years
with Style
Mark Your Calendar for the 2010
Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show
Donna Hood Crecca
is editorial director
of Nightclub& Bar
magazine, and has covered
beverage alcohol service in bars
and restaurants for nearly two
decades.
Remember when you turned 25? A momentous occasion; you’re still young, but now also a bona fide
adult. As the Nightclub & Bar Convention
and Trade Show comes up on its 25th anniversary in 2010 — as does this magazine
— everything is falling in place for a celebration worthy of such a milestone. After
all, the Show is indeed a venerable institution (in my 20 years covering this industry
it was always the event you had to attend)
and rife with tradition, but it’s staying fresh
with new events, new speakers and, as
always, exciting new products.
The silver anniversary event is just
around the corner, March 8-10 in Las
Vegas, so here is a sneak peek at what’s
in store at the bar business’s biggest event
of the year.
International Hospitality Week brings
three shows under one roof — Nightclub &
Bar Convention and Trade Show, International Restaurant Show and Hotel World
Food & Beverage Conference & Expo —
delivering one-stop shopping for hospitality
pros from all segments. If you’re wondering how to jump-start your business in this
new economy, this is where you’ll find
answers and inspiration.
New to International Hospitality Week
this year, the VIBE Conference will present
rich content and networking opportunities for chain restaurant beverage execs.
The exclusive event runs March 9-10 at
the Palazzo and offers a dynamic lineup
of speakers and events and access to the
Nightclub & Bar Show exhibit floor and
events. Visit www.vibeconference.com for
more information.
Also new, the American Beverage
Institute is hosting its winter meeting in
conjunction with International Hospitality
Week. This important on-premise lobbying
group is one of the industry’s most active
and vocal entities on topics ranging from
alcohol taxes to ignition interlock. Check
out ABI at www.abionline.org.
The Nightclub & Bar Convention and
Trade Show is more accessible to more
attendees this year, thanks to reduced registration pricing, and it offers a compelling
slate of speakers. Among them is Dr. Peter
Cressy, president of the Distilled Spirits
Council of the U.S., delivering the State of
the Industry address. In addition, program
highlights include Super Sessions with
beverage pros from the leading chains, a
revenue-driving workshop by Jon Taffer of
Taffer Dynamics, an incentives and training
workshop by T.J. Schier of Incentivize
Solutions, and the Top 100 Panel, which
will feature some of the most successful
operators in the business.
The show floor is quickly shaping up to
be a dynamic exhibit of the industry’s best
supplier partners showcasing their finest
offerings, from spirits, wine and beer to
mixers and energy drinks, as well as bar
equipment, sound and lighting systems
and a range of innovations and services.
And of course, the nightlife events
promise to be nothing short of extraordinary. Kicking off the festivities is the
Nightclub & Bar 25th Anniversary Party
at the new Haze Nightclub at CityCenter.
Then, get set for the Top 100 Party at the
stunning XS at the Encore and, back by
popular demand, the DJ Spin-off at Tao.
Winners of the Nightclub & Bar Awards
will be celebrated at a VIP reception at Tao,
as well. Additional events are scheduled
for Lavo, Rox Vegas and Mix.
As the exhibit floor, conference program
and events take shape, check out new
developments at www.nightclub.com and
www.ncbshow.com. Be sure to join us in
celebrating 25 years of serving and helping
grow this great industry. NCB
