Centrex #45 — “Solving the Business Puzzle”

WINNIPEG—This year’s MHA Convention, with the theme “Solving the Business Puzzle,” featured keynote speakers Tod Maffin and Lorraine Behnan.

The informative seminars included current industry hot topics including VLT redistribution, proposed changes to the Liquor Act, new security standards introduced by the province, recruiting employees and foreign workers, and using Internet technology as a powerful marketing tool.

The Centrex show, held along with the MHA Convention at the Winnipeg Convention Centre April 13-14, was once again a sell-out.

“The show floor has been full each year since we moved to our new location in 2004,” said Jerry Weir, executive director of the Manitoba Hotel Association.

“We had 141 exhibitors this year, and 2,380 registrations from the hotels and restaurant industry.”

To-Le-Do Foodservice has always been a great supporter for Centrex. In a departure from their “show within a show” approach in the last few years, To-Le-Do bought an island of booths this year, and a number of their suppliers who were part of the To-Le-Do section bought their own booths close by. Harlan Fairbanks increased their complement to eight booths, and Pratt Food Service bought seven.

“We had 13 exhibitors who bought at least four booths,” said Weir.

At the Manitoba Hotel Association AGM held in conjunction with the show, the membership approved a restructuring of the association’s constitution and by-laws to allow for more proportional representation throughout Manitoba.

Reid Kelner of the Beach Hotel in Winnipeg Beach has taken over the chairmanship of the association, replacing Leo Ledohowski, president and CEO of Canad Inns.

Andrew Swan, the minister responsible for the MLCC, introduced Liquor Act changes to address concerns of safety in licensed premises as well as meet the needs of the public and industry stakeholders right before the conference (see page 13), just in time for the Manitoba Hotel Association’s Liquor and Gaming Panel.

The Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association also held their annual meeting in conjunction with Centrex on April 14th. Bev Shuttleworth, CEO of MTEC, gave a presentation on employment, providing a snapshot of the current status in the industry.
This show marked the 45th anniversary of Centrex.
 
“A number of exhibitors have been supporting the Manitoba Hotel Association and the Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association all these years, and we thank them for their hard work!” said Weir.