ST. PAUL, Minn., May 15, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ecolab Inc. and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) are
co-sponsoring a panel discussion regarding pandemic preparedness
planning on Saturday, May 16. The event is part of this year's National
Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, scheduled for May
16-19 in Chicago, Ill. Titled "Learning from the H1N1 Flu Outbreak:
Proactive Business Continuity Planning for Pandemics," the 90-minute
panel discussion begins at 10 a.m. CST at McCormick Place, Room 402B.
Beth Johnson, Executive Vice President, National Restaurant Association,
will provide opening comments and an overview of current public policy
issues affecting the restaurant industry as well as moderate a panel
discussion. Scheduled panelists include Dr. Bruce Cords, Vice President
of Environment, Food Safety and Public Health at Ecolab, Dr. Scott
Brooks, Director of Quality Assurance for Yum! Brands, and Bob Sherwood,
Vice President and General Manager of EcoSure, the quality assurance
business unit within Ecolab.
Dr. Cords will provide a scientific overview of the H1N1 influenza
outbreak and offer preventative measures that can be taken to help
prevent future incidents. Dr. Brooks will discuss how Yum! Brands is
tackling planning for a pandemic, both at a corporate and franchise
level, as well as the complexity surrounding cascading information
across the company to help protect its global employee base and
customers. Mr. Sherwood will outline specific action steps that
restaurant operators can take to help minimize the risk of influenza
outbreak. A brief question and answer session will follow.
"We want the restaurant industry to be able to access the most accurate,
up-to-date information available on the current H1N1 influenza
outbreak," Johnson said. "This panel of experts, comprised of real-life
industry leaders, is our way of helping share first-hand knowledge to
help restaurant operators with the current public health situation."
"Ecolab is committed to sharing our public health knowledge and
expertise with the restaurant industry," said Douglas M. Baker, Jr.,
Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Ecolab. "By sharing what
we've learned about this outbreak as well as communicating industry best
practices on preventative measures, restaurant operators can then take
steps to better protect their businesses now and during the coming fall
flu season."
About Ecolab
With sales of $6 billion and more than 26,000 associates, Ecolab Inc.
(NYSE: ECL) is the global leader in cleaning, sanitizing, food safety
and infection prevention products and services. Ecolab delivers
comprehensive programs and services to foodservice, food and beverage
processing, healthcare, and hospitality markets in more than 160
countries. More news and information is available at www.ecolab.com.
About National Restaurant Association
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading
business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of
945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 13
million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association
Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America's
restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and
participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more
information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.
(ECL-C)
SOURCE: Ecolab Inc.
Ecolab Inc.
Jennifer Kirscher, 651-293-2846
Copyright Business Wire 2009