NAFEM Online
Chef's Selection
Through NAFEM's long-term partnership with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Brad Barnes, CMC, senior director of culinary education, holds the NAFEM professorship in Culinary Arts. The partnership is dedicated to specialized research in foodservice equipment and supplies, product development and industry education. Chef Brad's quarterly column in NAFEM online, highlights a current trend or issue he's facing in the kitchen. This month, he's getting ready to attend the Annual Meeting & Management Workshop in San Antonio, and looking forward to renewing his NAFEM member acquaintances and meeting many more of you in February. You are invited to join the discussion here. For questions or comments, contact Chef Brad at chef@nafem.org, or send us a note at info@nafem.org.

Register -- by January 24 -- for the Annual Meeting & Management Workshop!
Join us for NAFEM's Annual Meeting & Management Workshop, February 10-13, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio, Texas. During the Annual Business Meeting luncheon, Saturday, February 11, an important membership vote is scheduled regarding proposed changes to Active (manufacturer) membership criteria. NAFEM members receive a priority point for participating in the Annual Business Meeting, as well as for attending the Annual Meeting & Management Workshop itself, so plan accordingly. The deadline for registration and making hotel reservations is Tuesday, January 24.

Coming Soon... NAFEM's Online CFSP Course!
Starting March 1, an online CFSP overview course will be available. Interested applicants can take the course at their own pace, from the comfort of their home or office. Details are coming soon!

CFSP Dues -- Due February 13
Collection of 2012-13 CFSP dues is underway. Invoices were sent to all current CFSP'ers earlier this month, so please remit payment if you have not yet done so. To start the process, log in. After you log in, click on the "Personal Profile" link on the left-hand side to find the dues payment page. If CFSP dues remain unpaid by the published deadline of February 13, your status as a CFSP becomes inactive. For your current point summary, log in and proceed to NAFEM's CFSP Online Business Center. Questions? Contact Vonceil Roberts, program coordinator, member services, +1.312.821.0216; robertsv@nafem.org.

The NAFEM Show in 2013
Mark your calendar to join us February 7-9, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida for The NAFEM Show. Watch your e-mail this fall for exhibitor and attendee information.

REACH, RoHS Update and Resources
During November's NAFEM Technical Liaison Committee meeting, the committee's international task group reported that it's becoming much easier to keep track of what's NOT being regulated than what is. To help NAFEM members monitor the growing mountain of international directives, such as the European Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and others, the TLC encourages members to rely on the following Web site resources: Also during the meeting, it was reported the REACH and RoHS directives are expected to combine at some point in the future. Looking beyond Europe, environmental agencies in Asia Pacific are considering the potential to revise and/or adopt the European directives. In particular, Japan is considering REACH 1935/2004. 1935/2004 is not actually a "REACH" directive even though it uses the same type of identification, registration, acceptance criteria as REACH. This situation may catch some of the industry unaware. For additional resources to stay on top of latest European regulations, visit www.global-legislation.com.

Date Announced for 2012 CFSP Overview Seminar at NAFEM HQ
Each August, a CFSP overview seminar is offered at NAFEM’s Chicago headquarters. Next year, the Equipment & Supplies Overview seminar is scheduled Wednesday, August 8, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You are welcome to return on Thursday, August 9, to take the exam. If you’ve been meaning to get certified—or have an interested colleague—this is a great way to increase your chances of success, so sign up today. NAFEM members are reminded that you can take the test at NAFEM Headquarters anytime you happen to be in Chicago. We have ample conference room space and any member of the NAFEM staff can proctor the exam. If you prefer to take the test in your own hometown, you can use a local proctor. For more information or to schedule your exam, contact Vonceil Roberts, program coordinator, member services, +1.312.821.0216; robertsv@nafem.org.

NAFEM Associate Member Directory
Take a moment to visit NAFEM’s directory of associate members. Remember to count them as resources for your service needs in education and training, employment recruitment, export management, food safety product needs, marketing and communications services, systems and technology, product design, development and engineering, third-party certification, utility organizations and trade publishing.

Populate Our Calendar!
NAFEM’s industry calendar needs your input. It includes a feature that allows you to download events into your personal calendar. Once you have visited the site to add an event, please allow 48 hours for NAFEM staff to review the submissions and make them live.

Mark Your Calendar for International Event
NAFEM hosts a pavilion at Food & Hotel Asia (FHA2012), April 17-20, in Singapore. For information, contact Michele Zichy, exhibit sales director, Oak Overseas, Ltd., +1.704.837.1980 x303; mzichy@oakoverseas.com.

Nicor Gas Rebate Program
The Nicor Gas Rebate Program offers substantial rebates for the purchase and installation of qualifying energy efficient commercial kitchen equipment. To qualify, customers must be Nicor Gas business customers. Qualified products lists can be found here (scroll down to find the Commercial Kitchen Equipment lists). Other program details are here.