Doesn’t it seem like we continue to move at warp speed? Where did the
first quarter go?
Maybe that always happens in a NAFEM show year. January is a blur because
we’re finalizing all the last minute details that lead us to show opening.
Maybe it’s because The NAFEM Show was jam-packed with activity over three
days that made it seem like the entire month of February was dedicated to
that stellar event. Or maybe it was because The NAFEM Show was just the
start to the year – and from tradeshows to customer conferences, to buying
group meetings and everything in between, we just haven’t slowed down.
The good news is that from what we’re hearing in the marketplace, our
customers are excited, enthusiastic and swept up in the frenzy of
refurbishing, expanding and growing existing concepts, and starting new
operations. That was the buzz we heard from NAFEM show attendees – a
tremendous optimism about the state of the industry and where it’s headed
this year. Congratulations to you for being a part of such a tremendous
exhibition. We’ve received numerous kudos from attendees on the array of
innovation and new products they saw, the education they received and the
special events we hosted. No question, The NAFEM Show special events were
just the proverbial icing on the cake. From recognizing industry icons –
Steve Cobb, CFSP, Henny Penny Corporation, William W. Carpenter Award
recipient, and Dave Ek, CFSP, Discovery Products Incorporated, President’s
Award winner, to a keynote presentation by New York City’s Danny Meyer,
Union Square Hospitality Group, to closing out the show with an absolutely
stellar concert by the one and only Jimmy Buffett, it was a great show.
We’re looking forward to seeing the results of our exhibitor and attendee
surveys so we can begin the planning for 2015 in Anaheim. We will share
those results with you in June.
Planning for the future is what the board always does at its long-range
planning session each June. This year, fresh off the results from the show,
we’ll look at all the products and services NAFEM offers – from research, to
certification, to education, networking, committee opportunities, advocacy,
and of course, the show, to insure that NAFEM stays relevant for you as a
member and for the industry at-large. A big focus of this year’s discussion
is engagement. How can we get greater participation by NAFEM members in all
we do? If you aren’t engaged, I encourage you to check us out. There are
10 active NAFEM committees – get involved. I understand time is precious,
but I guarantee you, you’ll get more than you give!
President, Franke Foodservice Systems, Inc.
Smyrna, Tenn.