Each year, the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) Spring Trade Expo grows. More vendors display their wares, more businesses promote their services, and professionals interact with area locals who work in similar trades. It’s a show that provides a wide variety of goods and services that can be utilized by those in the hospitality business.

“The Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Spring Trade Expo is designed to bring together buyers and sellers,” said OCHMRA President Travis Wright, owner of The Shark on the Harbor in West Ocean City.

This year, the OCHMRA Trade Expo celebrated their 39th anniversary of bringing business individuals together. The newly remodeled Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street was packed. People parked their vehicles as far away as 5 blocks north and south to attend the industry mixer. More than 100 vendors showcased industry goods and serves in the waterfront Grand Ballroom. Non-profit organizations lined the inner corridors and alcohol and food reps occupied Exhibit Halls A & B.

Steve Vilnit of Maryland Seafood Marketing was responsible for coordinating several chef demos in the Grand Ballroom during the expo. Culinary demonstrations by Kristopher Sandholm or Profeta Farms, Antonia Baines of Tapas Teatro in Baltimore, Brian Schmidt or Garden & Garnish Caterers from Trappe, MD, and Faith Thompson from Chef Georr’s Restaurant in Washington DC were highlights of Sunday’s expo. On Monday, Ty Paup from University of Maryland, Chad Wells from the Rockfish in Annapolis, Paul Bartlett from Kitchen Solutions Consulting, and Clint Rose from Anne Arundel Community College spoke about culinary delights.

10 different speakers lead discussions with audiences about sales, consumer data, real estate, hotel reservation integration systems, healthcare, technology, marketing, and more. Show attendees look forward to receiving insider information from professionals in various fields of hospitality and tourism each year.

Check out a few photos from this year’s OCHMRA Spring Trade Expo below…

The 40th Annual Spring Trade Expo is scheduled next year for March 9th and 10th, 2014. For more information about the OCHMRA Spring Trade Expo, visit the Expo’s website or OCVisitor.com.

Photos by Ami Reist.