ApEx comes to Moncton this Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

Monster trucks, schmonster trucks. 

ApEx 2011 is where you want to be this weekend!

The show opens this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and Saturday is the last day to register in advance to save $8 off the price of on-site registration ($12.00 if you register online by 5:00 p.m. AST vs. $20.00 at the door during the show).

If you’re still on-the-fence about whether or not to come on out to the show, consider this:

• Atlantic Canada’s foodservice and hospitality event of the year, ApEx attracts nearly 2,000 visitors — the networking opportunities are endless!
• ApEx is open to anyone who works in the hospitality industry – from owners and managers to chefs and purchasing agents
• It’s the one-stop way to find out what’s new, make some deals and get inspired
• In addition to exhibit booths, the show features:
  • a panel discussion with local business owners revealing their “secrets of success”
  • the latest trends and forecasts for the foodservice industry from CRFA and market research company NPD Group
  • live cooking demonstrations by some of Atlantic Canada’s best chefs and restaurant owners, including:
    • Chef Sylvie Parent-Pitre of the Atlantic Host Hotel in Bathurst, NB
    • Brenda O’Reilly of Yellowbelly Brewery in St. John’s, NL
    • Chef Liam Dolan of the Claddagh Restaurant in Charlottetown, PEI
    • Chef Stefan Müller of the Delta Beausejour in Moncton, NB
    • Chef Chris MacAdam of MaisonTait House in Shediac, NB
    • Chef Pierre A. Richard of Little Louis’ in Moncton, NB

View the full show schedule here.

Here is all the info you need to know if you’re planning to attend:

SHOW HOURS:

• Sunday, April 3, 2011 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Monday, April 4 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

SHOW LOCATION:

• Moncton Agrena, 377 Killam Drive, Moncton
• How to get there (PDF)

QUICK LINKS FOR SHOW NEWS:

For up-to-the-minute news, check out ApEx 2011 on Twitter

• ApEx 2011: Official site
• ApEx 2011 blog
• ApEx 2011 on Facebook

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Snow place like home

I haven’t seen the word “Snowmageddon” in print/pixel yet, but I’m assuming it’s only a matter of time, if predictions of the impending winter storm turn out to be accurate.

It certainly wouldn’t be the first bad weather Canadian restaurateurs have contended with in recent years, but on the upside, there are lessons to be learned from this winter’s bad storms that have repeatedly hit our neighbours to the south.

Last week, SmartBlog on Restaurants identified “7 Bright Spots in the Snow” for foodservice establishments, including delivery (“a mixed blessing,” bad weather boosts demand for delivery but can make driving hazardous), free wi-fi (“coffee shops with free internet … were rewarded with crowds of people who needed a connection after they lost power”) and social media (“(restaurants) are tweeting their status, either to let regulars know they’re closed or offer storm-weary patrons a place to get away from reality for a bit”).

The news, of course, is not all good.  In Calgary, there are reports that snow bites into eateries’ profits, while during last month’s storms in Atlantic Canada, “businesses were closed … roads crumbled and residents hunkered down.”

Here’s hoping that Wiarton Willie and Shubenacadie Sam bring us good news on Wednesday!

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