FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2008 

FANCY FOOD SHOW CHOOSES DC FOR 2011

(Washington, DC)… Washington, DC landed one of the food industry’s most prestigious trade shows for 2011, Destination DC officials announced today. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center will welcome thousands of chefs, retailers, restaurateurs and foodies for the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT)’s Summer Fancy Food Show, July 10-12, 2011. The show is expected to draw 32,000 people from specialty food and wine stores as well as supermarkets and restaurants, generating more than 22,500 hotel room nights during a month when DC’s hotel occupancy rates are generally lower.

“This is a big deal for DC entire hospitality industry,” said William A. Hanbury, president and CEO of Destination DC. “Fancy Foods will be a huge economic generator for the city, and it will draw thousands of attendees who can truly appreciate how DC has evolved as a culinary destination.” Destination DC, the official convention and tourism corporation for the city, partnered with leaders of the DC’s Hospitality Alliance to win the successful bid for the show. The alliance includes Destination DC, the Washington Convention Center Authority, Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and the Hotel Association of Washington, DC.

The 2011 show also marks the show’s first move from New York City since 1992. “Washington is ideally located to pull buyers from the South, the Northeast and the Middle Atlantic States,” said Ann Daw, president, NASFT. Last year, the show attracted 6,200 food retailers; 3,754 chefs, restaurateurs and hoteliers; 409 bakers; 161 deli owners; 1,300 gift store buyers; 1,125 caterers; and 609 candy store buyers, plus more than 1,100 exhibitors from around the world.

NASFT is a not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry.  When the Summer Fancy Food Show arrives in DC, it will be celebrating its 57th anniversary, making it one of the longest running trade shows in the food industry.

The new booking represents one of the largest conventions taking place in DC in 2011. For more information on the show, visit specialtyfood.com. For more information on meetings and conventions in DC, visit Washington.org.

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