About IFEC Membership

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Networking 
There's networking between editors and publicists, as well as editor to editor and publicist to publicist.  IFEC is a place for building professional relationships, exchanging news and information, establishing  productive partnerships and learning from colleagues.  

Having contacts at your fingertips
The member directory is the A list of foodservice communicators. It's a one-stop resource for connecting with the best people to help you tell your story, get the word out about your business or product, educate your audience or stretch your budget through creative partnering.

Getting the inside scoop on the press from the press 
You could spend hours compiling data on industry publications and more time analyzing it. Or you can become an IFEC member and download editorial calendars and detailed factsheets provided by the editors.  By attending  "Meet The Press" at the annual conference you can get tips from the editors about working with them.

Cutting to the chase in Office Hours
If you're a publicist you could take your client on a multi-city tour pitching stories to editors. Or as an IFEC member you can schedule a series of private 10-minute meetings with editors during the annual conference.  If you're an editor, you could troll through hundreds of electronic press releases and return dozens of pitch calls. Or as an IFEC member you can meet publicists in focused sessions during Office Hours.

Showcasing your products to people who matter
As a member you have an opportunity to put the products and services you represent in front of the people who influence foodservice decision-makers -- your IFEC colleagues.  There are a variety of  formats available during the annual conference, from a place on the menu to sponsorship of a computer lounge.

Receiving support for professional development
In addition to content-rich workshops and educational sessions at the annual conference and the IFEC Institute, a reimbursement program helps qualified members with expenses for continuing education/professional development activities they pursue on their own.

Giving back
IFEC scholarships provide assistance to students who plan to pursue careers in foodservice editorial, public relations and marketing communications.  Every year we raise thousands of dollars for scholarships with a silent auction during the annual conference.  You can donate auction items, buy them and help collect them.  It's a satisfying way to help ensure there are qualified young people headed our way.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Membership is open to writers, editors, public relations and other communication professionals whose principal job function involves informing and educating members of the foodservice industry through the foodservice media.

Those considered eligible are: editors and writers for foodservice industry publications; public relations and marketing communication professionals for foodservice suppliers, restaurant chains, foodservice management companies and other organizations active in the industry, as well as freelancers and consultants providing communication services in foodservice.

Membership is for individuals.  Corporate or group memberships are not available.