Show Growth Was Hot on the Menu at MetroCooking DC
February 8, 2018
Washington D.C.’s largest consumer culinary show, MetroCooking DC, concluded its 12th edition with a positive boost in attendance and size.
Held Dec. 9-10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the popular gourmand shopping event saw an attendance uptick of more than 12 percent, compared with the year before, with more than 10,000 foodies shopping, sipping and sampling from an abundance of specialty food companies, local restaurants, breweries and wineries.
The annual event also expanded its exhibitor footprint, with 218 specialty food and home entertaining exhibitors showcasing aisles of unique food products and entertaining gift options spanning 32,610 square feet of exhibition space.
In 2016, MetroCooking DC drew 8,700 attendees and 192 exhibitors to a 29,700 sq. ft. expo.
The show also saw an increase in its special event areas, with more than 40 beer, wine and spirits vendors and more than 60 participating restaurateurs.
“The addition of various programming elements and a focus on visitor experience allowed us to expand the consumer base resulting in increased attendance,” explained Ned Krause, CEO of E.J. Krause & Associates, which owns and runs the show.
He added, “We definitely see continued growth opportunity for MetroCooking DC in the upcoming event.”
In an effort to continue supporting new-to-market and localized vendors, the show debuted the Made in DC Pavilion and expanded its Virginia’s Finest Pavilion.
The interactive event featured a variety of parallel activities including two live cooking stages, cooking classes, book signings, a Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden, multiple tasting events and brought together an all-star lineup of celebrity chefs including Guy Fieri, José Andrés, Carla Hall and many other locally and nationally recognized James Beard-honored chefs.
The show’s BBQ Bash was held on Dec. 9, with host Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley of DC’s Smoked & Stacked and Hill Country Barbecue’s head pitmaster Chef Ash Fulk, showcasing the area’s top barbecue establishments offering food samples and giving industry tips and trends.
On Dec. 10, more than 50 restaurants served up signature sweet and savory bites at the 5th annual Grand Tasting Pavilion benefitting SOME (So Others Might Eat), a nonprofit organization that works to address poverty in Washington DC by providing food, clothing and healthcare services to the poor and homeless, as well job training, counselling, low-cost housing and other services to “break the cycle of homelessness.”
At its next edition, set for Dec. 1-2 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, MetroCooking DC will be expanding its specialty event areas and adding more interactive classes, according to Kara Krause, vice president of event marketing and social media for E.J. Krause.
“We will be adding a few more hands-on classes, such as a wine and chocolate pairing class as well as holiday entertaining classes, called ‘Make it and Take it Holiday Workshops,’ which will include a wreath making and centerpiece arrangement class,” Krause explained.
She continued, “The Beer, Wine and Spirits Garden will increase again this year to accommodate more vendors so attendees can have an even greater variety to sample from. The area has almost doubled in participants from the previous year, which is very exciting!”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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