We doubled our covers during the dining period and had many new customers who were so excited that we were participating. We will definitely sign up for the next restaurant week!
Ontario, Calif. (PRWEB) May 12, 2014
An enthusiastic response to the region’s very first Inland Empire Restaurant Week this spring has prompted organizers to announce a second event in the fall, the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today.
A variety of restaurants from more than 20 communities took part in the inaugural event March 21-30, reporting increased sales of up to 30 percent and thousands of new customers who visited their establishments to take advantage of the specialty menus offered at fixed prices.
Participating restaurants benefitted from promotions and marketing of the 10-day event through radio, print, digital and outdoor advertising and earned media, representing a total value of more than $400,000.
The first Inland Empire Restaurant Week reflected an overall economic impact to the region of about $1.1 million, according to the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau, which organized and coordinated the event.
The next Inland Empire Restaurant Week will take place over 10 days from Oct. 10 to Oct. 19 with even more restaurants and communities represented. Visit http://www.inlandempirerestaurantweek.com for details as they come.
“We saw a huge increase in reservations from the moment IE Restaurant Week was announced,” said Rosie O’Connor, chef/owner of Provecho Grill in the city of Menifee. “We doubled our covers during the dining period and had many new customers who were so excited that we were participating. We will definitely sign up for the next restaurant week!”
Michael Krouse, President and CEO of the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau, said everyone was thrilled with the response to what was the very first regional restaurant week for the region.
“Every corner of the Inland Empire was represented and the numbers exceeded our expectations, which is why we are moving forward with a second Restaurant Week this fall,” Krouse said. “I.E. Restaurant Week provides restaurants with a unique opportunity to attract new customers, and gives diners the chance to enjoy restaurants they’ve never experienced before. If you missed the spring event, you’ll have the chance again in October.”
Participating restaurants in the inaugural event were located mostly in Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside and Claremont, but also included many other communities from Temecula to Big Bear, Beaumont to Corona. Some of the more popular restaurants included Market Broiler, Mustazzoli Ristorante Italiano, Magic Lamp, Gyu-Kaku, Sycamore Inn, Las Campanas at the Mission Inn, The Pines Steakhouse, Bin 189, Salted Pig and many more.
"It was a great event, well organized and professionally executed," said Loren Lawe, Executive Chef of Riverside’s Mission Inn. "We saw a significant increase in new customers at all of our participating restaurants, and we would love to do it again in the future."
Nearly 90 percent of the restaurants surveyed reported that IE Restaurant Week attracted new customers to their establishments.
The upcoming Fall IE Restaurant Week, set to take place October 10-19, will run for 10 consecutive days and include two weekends. The pricing will remain the same with three fixed price points for lunch and dinner menus. Participating restaurants will offer dinner menus at $20, $30 or $40 and lunches at $10, $15 or $20.
About Inland Empire Restaurant Week
Inland Empire Restaurant Week (IERW) is a nonprofit dining program created and managed by the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau and the local restaurant community. This dynamic event showcases the variety of culinary talent in the Inland Empire from traditional and ethnic, to modern and inspirational found in this diverse dining scene. IERW hopes to encourage diners to try new restaurants, visit old favorites and help boost the economic impact of dining establishments throughout the region. Visit http://www.inlandempirerestaurantweek.com for updates on the program.
About the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau provides groups and meeting professionals with an unbiased, comprehensive resource when booking a tour, convention, meeting or event within the cities of Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and beyond. For meeting needs of all sizes – from a conference room to a citywide convention – or for a special exposition or sporting event, the Greater Ontario CVB will provide the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful experience. Visit http://www.discoverontariocalifornia.org.