iCongo Live virtual trade shows and job fair software systems has been selected by the HRSA to power an innovative, year-round virtual trade show that will complement the association's annual physical trade show.

An emerging marketing and lead generation vehicle, iCongo Live's platform provides event managers with software tools to easily create and manage Internet-based online events, virtual trade shows and conferences. This technology allows companies to market their goods and services more effectively by breaking down physical barriers and enabling collaboration between trading partners.

Hotel and Restaurant Suppliers Association Inc. connects product and service suppliers from hotels, restaurants and institutions across North America. The association will host its next physical trade show at Place Bonaventure in Montreal, Canada from Feb. 3 - 5, 2008. This event will bring together more than 12,000 attendees and will showcase over 400 exhibitors in the food, equipment, services and accessories industries.

Immediately following the physical show, the HRSA will "open the doors" to its virtual trade show, offering attendees year-round benefits such as the ability to visit the virtual booths of hundreds of manufacturers and distributors. Within the HRSA virtual trade show, visitors may obtain detailed product and service information, view online seminars and communicate directly with company representatives.

HRSA's virtual trade show will allow exhibitors to market and display their products and services to the industry year-round, enhancing the generation of business leads and facilitating communications between their company and potential customers.

HRSA's virtual trade show will offer many features of a physical selling event, including online booths, webinars and marketing downloads. Attendees to the virtual trade show can visit vendor booths, exchange email, instant messages and virtual business cards with vendor representatives.

"The HRSA is always looking for new and innovative ways to help our members introduce new products and services to the hotel and restaurant industry," said Victor Francoeur, president of HRSA. "A virtual trade show will allow us to reach members of the industry at any time and in any place in the world, greatly increasing our audience and the marketing and communications reach of our members. This is the first of its kind in North America."

"The HRSA's adoption of our virtual trade show platform provides a compelling example of the power of virtual event technology," said Yves Daoust, executive vice president of iCongo Live. "With iCongo Live, the HRSA will provide its members with a ‘first of its kind' virtual event enhancing the association's services by offering its members powerful new marketing and lead generation tools."