The second largest foodservice show in the country, the Texas Restaurant Association Marketplace, kicks off Sunday and Monday, June 26-27 from 10:30am to 5:00pm at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, 1001 Avenida de las Americas.
The Texas Restaurant Association was formed in 1937 to serve as the advocate in Texas and the indispensable resource for the foodservice industry. As a leading business association, TRA represents the state’s $52.4 billion restaurant industry, comprised of 42,500 plus locations and a workforce of 1.2 million employees.
Now in its 79th year, the TRA Marketplace will dazzle visitors with stunning and interactive displays, state of the science products and equipment, cutting edge technology and the latest news, trends and advice from dynamic industry leaders. Thousands of restaurateurs, chefs, and industry executives are expected to attend over the two-day period.
“TRA Marketplace is distinctive,” says Richie Jackson, CEO Texas Restaurant Association. “Texas is a huge and powerful market. Many consumer and industry trends have grassroots origins in Texas, and there’s no better way to experience that all under one roof than at this show.”
Whether an industry veteran or first time restaurateur, visitors will be motivated and inspired to grow their businesses. Over 500 exhibitors will showcase everything from artisan food products and craft beverages to linens, mobile technology, security, kitchen
equipment and supplies. This year’s food truck display will give the opportunity to meet the experts who design them.
Visitors will gain valuable insight and practical advice from the show’s Education Idea Center. Industry thought-leaders will voice their opinions on trending topics, including cross-channel marketing, staff and guest engagement, crisis management, advocacy, mobile payments and the science of food pairing with the world’s ‘smartest cognitive computer.’
Specialty pavilions throughout TRA Marketplace will offer an exciting and valuable glimpse into the latest products and services the market has to offer, allowing guests to stay on top of cutting edge trends. They include:
- Craft Beverage Garden – samples of craft beers and
liquors from Texas’ finest breweries and distillers, - Technology Pavilion – Hands-on demonstrations and
technology discussions including touch-screen ordering,
smartphone apps, mobile payments and more, - Mobile Food Lot – Tours of the latest in food and catering
trucks and trailers, - Culinary Innovation Station – a curated collection of
innovative companies newly launching in Texas, plus
the latest products with a focus on healthy, ethnic and
other trends, - New Product Showcase – A portion of the show floor
solely dedicated to new products, - Go Texan – A collection of Texas-grown products for
browsing and shopping.
There will be ample opportunity for networking, product ordering and chatting one-on-one with suppliers and consultants. From the back of the house to the front, industry veterans are poised to discuss any topic or tackle any issue.
With the new TRA Marketplace app, free of charge and available for download on iTunes (Apple) or Google Play (Android), attendees and exhibitors can navigate the show with ease, stay on top of seminar schedules and quickly find vendors and services.
Tickets are available online through June 21st and are $45 per person for TRA Members and $55 for non-members. After June 21st all tickets are $65 general admission at the door. For more information, to register or to become a sponsor, visit www.tramarketplace.com.
