North Port Events has won the position of New Zealand agent for the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA Show) in the USA - the largest restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality trade exhibition in the western hemisphere.

The NRA Show is co-located with the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) in Chicago from 21 to 24 May 2011 and attracted more than 42,000 attendees from all 50 North American states and more than 100 countries in 2010.

North Port Events aims to assemble a contingent of New Zealand exhibitors to form a group exhibit at the NRA show, while also seeking specialist drinks exhibitors for IWSB.

'We're delighted to step up to this task and help Kiwi companies get in front of thousands of top decision makers from the US foodservice and hospitality industries,' says Dona White, North Port Events CEO.

'It's a golden opportunity too good to miss and we strongly urge New Zealand companies in this sector to take the plunge and tap into this huge and dynamic market. Kiwi companies already have a very positive reputation among American industry buyers so you're sure of a warm reception for your products and services with these audiences.'

The NRA Show is the largest single gathering of foodservice and hospitality decision makers in the USA. It attracts industry leaders ranging from chefs and restaurateurs to dealers and distributors to consultants and other trendsetters from all 50 states and over 100 countries, and showcases more products, services, innovative ideas, and other growth opportunities than any other industry event.

At the NRA Show 2010, the number of attendees (not including exhibitor personnel) was 42,057, compared with 37,818 in 2009 (11% increase). Total registration in 2010 increased by more than 8.5% over 2009 totalling 57,892 compared with 53,319 in 2009. The number of countries also increased to 115 compared with 107 in 2009. At the NRA Show 2010, there were nine international exhibitor pavilions from: Japan, Korea, China, New Zealand, Canada, Chile, France, Malaysia, and Spain.

The International Wine, Spirits & Beer (IWSB) event is where 3,000+ buyers from all on-premise foodservice and retail segments come together with wine, spirits, and beer producers, importers, and distributors. IWSB is the only beverage alcohol forum in the USA focused exclusively on the restaurant and hospitality market.