Preliminary numbers show 5,364 attendees descended upon Columbus, Ohio, for the North American Pizza & Ice Cream Show. The show was held Feb. 17 and 18 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Gelato is always a big draw at the North American Pizza & Ice Cream Show. Gelato represents about 2 percent of the United States' frozen-dessert market.

Jeff Kahler, president of Ready Training Online, showcases his video-training system, played via a Revention POS system. Ready Training Online provides training for restaurant employees and managers in areas such as food safety and human resources&#46

Neon and flashing signs held the interest of more than 5,300 North American Pizza & Ice Cream Show attendees.

North American Pizza & Ice Cream Show attendees line up to sample pizza, cheese and gelato offerings. Another crowd pleaser was the Restaurant Equippers Inc. booth, where operators could purchase everything from pizza pans to milkshake mixers

Mike Voorhees, with R.W. Bakers Company of Muskegon, Mich., plates a sampling of baked bread layered with pesto sauce and melted cheese.

Lisa Dodson, owner of Corning, Ohio-based Dodson's Pizza & Chicken, spreads a layer of extra-creamy mayonnaise on her BLT pizza. Dodson entered the pie in the NAPICS Pizza Pizzazz gourmet competition and took home the top prize of $7,500.

Teresa Boring, of Percelli's Pizza in McArthur, Ohio, chops a few mushrooms for her Pizza Pizzazz gourmet pizza entry, Turkey Tetrazzini. Boring's pizza placed third in the competition.

During a break in the NAPICS Pizza Pizzazz competition, Pizza Marketplace editor Richard Slawsky gave Tony Boombozz proprietor Tony Palombino the 2008 Independent Operator of the Year award.

spirit large img

The Oringer Division of Concord Foods Inc. displayed a variety of toppings, such as marshmallow, peanut butter, apple and chocolate. In Baltimore, marshmallow is the most popular topping, said national sales and marketing manager Rod Oringer.

Attendees at the 2008 North American Pizza & Ice Cream Show could take a break from walking the aisles by peeking into this giant soft-serve ice cream cone.

Blum Equipment Co., based in Galion, Ohio, kept 2008 NAPICS attendees cool with frozen beverages and ice cream treats. Blum is a wholesaler of ice cream supplies and equipment.

Bob Recter, director of frozen foods for Amoroso's Baking Co., grills a sample of Philadelphia cheesesteaks using meat from Liberty Bell Steak Company Inc. Recter said, given their popularity, cheesesteaks are a good addition to pizzeria menu

Tom Miller with Baker's Quality Pizza Crust prepares a slice of pizza baked using one of the company's premier products. Baker's Quality offers par-baked and self-rising pizza crusts along with dough balls and seasonings.

Pizzeria ovens were a hot item at this year's North American Pizza & Ice Cream Show. Pizza Equipment Supply Inc. delivered the goods with ovens, mixers and sheeters for sale.

A bird's-eye view of the NAPICS floor Feb. 17. Attendees came ready to buy with deals being made within the show's first hour, said chairwoman Ann Reichle.