LANSING – The 2006 Michigan Restaurant Show will be packed with the greatest concentration of information and resources from the food service and hospitality industry in Michigan, bringing restaurateurs and managers the newest innovations to enhance and improve operations.  But this year’s show will offer something more: one of the greatest names in sports as the keynote speaker.  

Joe Dumars, President of Basketball Operations for the Detroit Pistons and one of their all-time great players, will kickoff the 2006 Michigan Restaurant Show on October 17 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi.  The show will run October 17 and 18.  

Known as one of the great competitors in the National Basketball Association throughout his 14-year playing career, “Joe D” recently completed his sixth full season as president of basketball operations and his 21st overall in the NBA.  Following a rookie season in 1985-86 in which the Pistons posted a record of 46-36, Dumars’ teams won two NBA championships (1989 and 1990).  The six-time NBA All-Star retired from the game following the 1998-99 NBA season as the Pistons’ second all-time leading scorer and moved to the front office, where he developed the Pistons team which won the NBA championship in 2004.  

In addition to his role with the Pistons, Dumars is majority owner and CEO of Detroit Technologies, Inc., an automotive parts supplier in the Detroit metro area.  He also maintains a partnership in Joe Dumars Fieldhouse, an indoor multi-sports and entertainment complex located in Shelby Township.  A second Joe Dumars Fieldhouse was opened in 2004 in Detroit.        

Whether the challenges are in sales, sourcing, operations, cost reduction, employee retention, or culinary and menu development, the Michigan Restaurant Show floor marketplace provides restaurateurs the resources needed to increase sales, improve customer satisfaction and discover the essential edge required to remain at the top of the industry.  In addition to the fabulous offerings on the Show floor, there are special attractions including free educational seminars.  

For information on the 2006 Michigan Restaurant Show, visit the website at www.michiganrestaurantshow.org or call the Michigan Restaurant Association in Lansing at (800) 968-9668.

Founded in 1921, the Michigan Restaurant Association represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments.  The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 436,000 people and creating more than $11.3 billion in total annual sales. For more information, call (517) 482-5244.