Hospitality 2012 set for February 20th – 22nd

With double-digit growth in our tourist numbers now confirmed in 2011 and the prospect of even better increases for 2012 together with an upturn in business reported from the restaurant sector, prospects for the hospitality industry are brighter for 2012 than they have been since the start of the recession, according to Hospitality 2012 (formerly VINTRA) - the Irish Food Services Industries Exhibition - which takes place in the RDS from 20th to 22nd February.

The show is receiving an excellent response from suppliers interested in taking advantage in any upturn in spending within the sector next year, reports the organiser.

The exhibition has the support of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, The Vintners Federation of Ireland, The Irish Hospitality Institute and The Bartenders Association of Ireland.

New features planned for the event include a Sustainable Restaurant including Kitchen and Dining Room, where visitors to the event can enjoy lunch prepared by different celebrity chefs on each day.

Fáilte Ireland will also provide a mini Meitheal experience were clients can pre-book a 20 minute one-to-one session with an industry professional including chefs and service experts. Two chefs will conduct a 40-minute Tapas Masterclass each day.

Training and up-skilling are the theme of the 2012 event – The Irish Hospitality Institute will highlight its wide range of courses, details of which will be available in the Training and Skills Village.

Casinos could be operating in licensed premises in Ireland within the year and so Maire Conneely of A&L Goodbody will give a seminar on Casinos – A New Addition To What Ireland Has To Offer To Visitors? A Casino/Nightclub feature is planned as part of the event.

Details of Hospitality 2012 are available on www.hospitalityexpo.ie or by contacting Kathleen Connors of SDL Exhibitions Ltd. Tel. 01-405-5547 or email Kathleen@sdlexpo.com