The Ultimate Hospitality Expo Comes to Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwire - May 19, 2009) - The Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage & Lodging EXPO (Mid-Atlantic EXPO) shouted "Make it a double!" when it recently announced its co-location with the Nightclub & Bar East Coast Show (NCB) which has traditionally been held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The two hospitality trade shows will join forces October 7-8, 2009 at the Baltimore Convention Center in the heart of Baltimore City.

Operators of every shape and size across the country are looking for value in every penny spent and every minute used outside their business. "Immense dedication is involved in owning a restaurant regardless of the economy's status. We are keenly aware of that devotion and believe we have created the ultimate trade show experience for our industry through this co-location agreement," said Paul Hartgen, President & CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, producers of the Mid-Atlantic EXPO.

The NCB Show is the definitive on-premise beverage show for the east coast. According to industry research, the total on- and off-premise alcohol sales for the Middle Atlantic Market -- New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, DC -- is $15.5 billion. The Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage & Lodging EXPO will feature manufacturers and distributors for multiple facets of the hospitality industry. With local, national and international representatives the show guarantees to serve up access to the markets hospitality operators want to reach.

"The Nightclub & Bar East Coast Show has had a wonderful home in Atlantic City for many years, but we feel there is an opportunity to add a dose of freshness to the event, and Baltimore is a great geographic market that is perfect for our customers," said Liza Wylie, Group Show Director for Questex, producers of the event. "Our attendees and exhibitors have given us a very positive response to moving the event, and see the co-location with the Restaurant Association of Maryland as a way to bring in more buyers and sellers."

"We are excited to share Baltimore with bar, restaurant and nightclub owners, operators, food and beverage managers, head chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, server, who will without a doubt, walk away with educational value, new partnerships and money saving products as a result of this innovative co-location," added Hartgen.

For more information on the Mid-Atlantic, Food, Beverage & Lodging EXPO visit www.midatlanticexpo.com. For more information regarding the Nightclub and Bar Show visit www.ncbshow.com. Questions? Contact the Restaurant Association of Maryland at 410-290-6800 x1024.

About the Nightclub & Bar East Coast Show:

The Nightclub & Bar Show brings together bar owners/operators, food and beverage managers, mixologist/bartenders, bar managers and promotions and marketing managers who are dedicated to their business. The trade show floor offers hundreds of nationally known products and the event offers dozens of educational sessions presented by leaders in the industry. The Nightclub & Bar Show is owned and produced by Questex Media Group and its six subsidiaries including Oxford Publishing, Inc., publisher and trade show producer serving the beverage and food industries. Questex also produces the Nightclub & Bar Show Las Vegas which will be held March 7-10, 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information on exhibiting or attending the Expo, call 800-247-3881 or visit the official Show website at www.ncbshow.com.

About the Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage & Lodging EXPO:

The Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage & Lodging EXPO is the largest restaurant, foodservice, hospitality and lodging industry trade show between New York and Florida. Produced by the Restaurant Association of Maryland, EXPO 2009 is committed to improving the region's $50 billion hospitality industry through innovative new opportunities for sales, leads and face-to-face contact. The Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) has remained relevant to restaurateurs for over 80 years by maintaining core principles born out of the first national financial crisis. In 1927 a small group of Baltimore area restaurateurs met to deal with the challenges facing the economy and the foodservice industry. Today, RAM is a 2,000 member strong statewide trade association operated for the purpose of promoting, protecting and improving the foodservice industry in the State of Maryland. Since the very beginning, the Association has been run by restaurateurs and suppliers working not only for the benefit of dues paying members, but also for the restaurant industry as a whole. For more information about the restaurant industry in Maryland please visit our website at www.marylandrestaurants.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Marisa Chioni Restaurant Association of Maryland 410-290-6800 Amy Riemer Nightclub & Bar Show 978-475-4441