CHICAGO (June 2009) -- The American Urological Association (AUA) retained hospitality consultant Toque + Bottle Advisory to launch Bistro AUA at their annual convention held recently at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Bistro AUA served as a lunchtime meeting destination on the exhibit floor, and offered exhibitors the opportunity for invaluable face-to-face interaction with attendees. The Bistro concept offers a convenient, healthy and delicious dining experience in a relaxed environment.

BistroAUA.com saw global success as it received over 1200 visitors from 70 countries; and sold tickets to three international tour groups and major health and pharmaceutical companies. Of guests surveyed, 90 percent said the Bistro AUA concept "met or exceeded expectations."

"Toque + Bottle Advisory’s Bistro concept of a reasonably priced, restaurant quality lunch in the exhibit hall is an absolute winner," says Andrew Niles, manager of convention operations for AUA. "Bistro staff supplied our organization excellent advance planning assistance and professional onsite management services. I highly recommend the Bistro dining concept to future shows scheduled in Chicago."

AUA plans to offer this concept at their next annual meeting in May 2010 in San Francisco.

In March 2008, Toque & Bottle Advisory created Bistro RSNA for the Radiology Society of North America. This concept was developed to increase the meaningful interaction between exhibitors and attendees in the Exhibit Halls during the RSNA Annual Meeting.

In June 2008 (five months before the convention), Toque & Bottle launched an online marketing campaign to promote Bistro RSNA, including a Web site that allowed exhibitors and attendees to reserve tables and pre-purchase lunch tickets online. The Web site experienced 4,426 unique visitors, 15,156 page views, and facilitated the purchase of 4,056 reservations prior to the convention.

As a result of the promotion, Bistro RSNA increased the number of lunches served in the Exhibit Halls by 18.8 percent, and reduced exit rates during lunch by 30 percent. Bistro RSNA received rave reviews from exhibitors, attendees, and show management.

Now branded generally as Bistro Tickets, this concept has being successfully adopted by managers of some of the largest conventions in the U.S. For more information visit www.toqueandbottle.com or call Benjamin Smock at (312) 656-6849.

Toque & Bottle Advisory is gearing up for a busy fall with 4 upcoming events signed up to offer the Bistro Tickets concept to their convention audience.