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2008 catersource Conference & Tradeshow and
Event Solutions Idea Factory

FEBRUARY 24 - 28, 2008
Las Vegas Hilton & Convention Center

Make plans now to attend the most extensive catering educational conference offered. Exciting new speakers, more recognized industry leaders and expanded learning and networking opportunities will give you more ways to make the most of the 2008 Conference than ever before!

All Members are invited to a Very Special ICA Members-only event Sunday February 23rd 2008, from 2:00 - 5:00 pm at Planet Hollywood Hotel, Las Vegas Nevada.

Click here for ICA members' Special Activities.

NEW FOR 2008 – CORE FastTrack

CORE is the quickest way to get the proven marketing, pricing and selling strategies used by successful caterers, as well as the best ways to organize and manage your daily business activities.

Who should sign up for CORE?
• Restaurants and food service operators who are starting to cater or creating a new profit center
• established caterers who simply want to retool their skills
• your newly hired staff
• first time attendees who want to get up to speed

The CORE FastTrack includes three days of customized education that features the best catering business concepts that will result in quicker and more profitable business growth as well as key elements of the entire conference such as keynote sessions, Welcome Reception and access to the Tradeshow and optional events. This package will send you and your staff away with a clearly competitive advantage for growth in your marketplace.

Notable Speakers

Colin Cowie

Having hosted his own television series for 5 years, “Everyday Elegance With Colin Cowie” on the Women’s Entertainment Network, Colin Cowie now appears regularly as a popular lifestyle consultant for the CBS Early Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. He designed and produced CBS’s Rob and Amber’s Wedding, and had a recurrent role judging culinary contestants on NBC’s, “Celebrity Cooking Showdown.” Colin will tell us how to turn a glimmer of an idea into a legendary event with stylish menu creation, food presentation and specialty cocktails, and how to give the client 120% when it comes to cuisine, wine and orchestrated service.

 

The Hearty Boys

The stars of Food Network’s popular Party Line with the Hearty Boys bring their signature style to catersource! Learn how Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh went from popular Chicago caterers to winners of the Next Food Network Star in 2005. They’ll share a few tips on how you can achieve a little fame of your own and you’ll get a first hand opportunity to preview their book as they take the demo stage for a small and personal presentation. The book, Talk with your Mouth Full, is packed with exciting but accessible recipes, clever how-to tips, and a gaggle of tales from the catering trenches.

 

Robyn Waters

Robyn provides a thought provoking environmental scan of the macro marketplace that takes the listener deep into the hearts and minds of the consumer. Her visual presentations challenge the audience to look at trend ‘from the inside out’ by focusing their attention on what’s important instead of just what’s next. Energies are revitalized, perspectives reframed, and possibilities re-envisioned. Robyn has over thirty years experience tracking and translating trends into sales and profit. One of Robyn’s core values is the belief that good taste and great design don’t have to be expensive.

Click here for ICA seminar list.

 

EVENTS

Welcome!
Finish off the first day of the conference at the free Monday night Welcome Reception that’ll feature sampling from the Kitchen Contenders Chefs' Challenge. This is a great networking opportunity and a chance to take in innovative and inspiring presentation ideas.

 

What’s Vegas without a little “Temptation”?
See what REALLY happens in Vegas as the Tuesday night Fabulous Showcase Event transforms the world’s LARGEST outdoor tent spaces into a one-of-a-kind experience of food, décor and entertainment…go ahead, sin a little! Ticket price: $149

 

CATIE Awards Gala
ICA and catersource present the 5th annual Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence Awards Wednesday February 27th from 8:00 pm.
Started in 2002, these prestigious awards are designed to recognize the achievements of caterers and are open to entries from caterers in any country in the world.
Join the celebration and enjoy an evening of inventive foods, creative cocktails, entertainment and dancing in true over-the-top Las Vegas Style.
Ticket price: $195

 

THE BEST CATERING TRADESHOW
Our 2008 show will have all the latest products and services specifically geared for catering. This year more than 800 booths on the Tradeshow floor will be your one stop shop for everything you need from start to finish. Discover new products, equipment and services designed for catering. Find fresh ideas for serving and buffet-displays, linens and décor, the latest in transport and cooking equipment. Sample some of the best catering tailored foods and beverage in the world, and so much more - a great way to get the scoop on what’s new!

 

Shop and SAVE!
If you’re one of the thousands of caterers who come from across the country to buy the latest and most innovative products offered by our vendors on the Tradeshow floor, why not take advantage of the catersource shopping incentive? 5% of the total value of purchases made on the floor can be applied as a credit to your 2009 registration. All you have to do to participate in this program, is request a shopping documentation form from our Minneapolis office, save receipts from your purchases at the Tradeshow and submit everything to us by April 1, 2008. Limit one free tuition per company.

 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Register early for the best rates! Multiple attendees from the same company get deeper discounts so REGISTER NOW

 

REGISTRATION
Register at www.catersource.com before November 15, 2007 and save at least $110 on a full Conference package

 

Full Conference packages

Single $789

2 people $749 each

3 people $709 each

4+ people $649 each

 

Early registration bonus
By registering before the Nov. 15 deadline you’ll receive four additional entries to the BIG TICKET raffle taking place on the Tradeshow floor on Wednesday.

 

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
While sessions will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton and Convention center, we have arranged for a variety of accommodation choices to suit your needs. Shuttle service will be available from these hotels. Use the promotional codes below to get discounted Conference & Tradeshow rates (plus taxes for single or double occupancy):

Las Vegas Hilton $169 Code: SCAT8R 800-732-7117

The Riviera $119 Code: CATRS08 800-634-6753

Planet Hollywood $199 Code: ACATER 877-244-9474

 

Las Vegas Hilton
The Las Vegas Hilton is our host hotel and the site of Conference registration/check-in, the Cyber Plaza, the catersource Store and most of the educational sessions. It is located adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center where the Tradeshow will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Las Vegas Hilton is just a few blocks off the strip and is noted as the most convenient station on the Las Vegas Monorail track!

RATE: $169 plus taxes for single or double occupancy.
CODE: SCAT8R
BOOK BY PHONE: (800) 732-7117
BOOK THE HILTON ONLINE
3000 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

 

The Riviera
The Riviera Hotel and Casino enjoys a legendary past as one of the first top-notch Las Vegas hotels, known for its big name entertainment and friendly hospitality, as well as its worldwide name recognition. Located on the strip, the Riviera offers the most budget friendly accommodation and is just a short 10 minute walk from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Shuttle service will be available.

RATE: $119 plus taxes for single or double occupancy.
CODE: CATRS08
BOOK BY PHONE: (800) 634-6753
BOOK THE RIVIERA ONLINE
The Riviera
2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Planet Hollywood
If you’re looking for a little more luxury in your hotel accommodations, enjoy a stay at the newest hot spot on the strip, Planet Hollywood (formerly the Aladdin). The newly remodeled hotel has a modern, elegant flair and is surrounded by bountiful shopping and dinning options. Plant Hollywood is a 10 minute bus ride from the Las Vegas Hilton and Convention Center.


RATE: $199 plus taxes for single or double occupancy.
CODE: ACATER
BOOK BY PHONE: (877) 244-9474
BOOK PLANET HOLLYWOOD ONLINE
Planet Hollywood
3667 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109