ifec newsletter
February 2020
President’s Letter
Dear friends,
Usually it’s the end of the year that’s reserved for reflection, but here it is, the beginning of March, and I find myself waxing a little nostalgic as I write this on a train between New York City and and my home state of Maryland. Whenever you’re tasked with writing a letter for an organization, you can’t help but think back on your experiences with the group. For me, the IFEC experience has largely been about the people I’ve met and their unparalleled dedication to serving the organization.
When I joined IFEC some five or so years ago, I had no idea the amount of work that went on behind-the scenes, piloted by not only the staff members but also by committed volunteers. IFEC events seem to happen so seamlessly that a new member would easily be forgiven for thinking there must be a large team of personnel orchestrating it. I know now that the key to these events is harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of the people who are active in the organization.
I encourage you to be one of those people. IFEC exists not only to support its members but also because of its members. The vitality of the organization comes from active members who have joined committees, reach out for story leads (whether from a PR or editorial standpoint), go to regional receptions and refer to new members. We’re in a new era of IFEC, but we continue to be a strong organization because of the commitment of everyone involved.
Now that I’ve thought fondly about my past experiences with IFEC, I want to take a moment to remind you about a few events in the near future:
- The Bubble Party (hosted by IFEC during the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago) is right around the corner. Mark your calendar for Monday, May 18, 2020, at the Hotel Palomar. It’s always a fun evening, and I look forward to seeing many of you there!
- There are still sponsorship opportunities available for The Bubble Party and the annual conference from November 2-4, 2020, in Santa Barbara, California. These events are a great way to get your company name out to the IFEC membership, and sponsorships are a vital part of keeping the organization strong.
- Speaking of the conference, here’s your first reminder to book your hotel early. The Hyatt Centric has less than 200 rooms, so it will be sure to sell out during IFEC’s conference.
Don’t forget — IFEC scholarship applications are due March 15, 2020, and professional development applications are due April 15, 2020. Those dates are coming up quickly — let IFEC be a part of your educational future.
Kelsey Casselbury
Contributing Editor, School Nutrition
President, IFEC
2020 Bubble Party on May 18, 2020
Excitement is gathering for IFEC’s annual celebration in Chicago during the NRA Show. The Bubble Party is set for Monday, May 18, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM at the Hotel Palomar Chicago in the ballroom and terrace on the 5th floor, a perfect vantage point for tracking bubbles across the skyline. Thank you to our early party sponsors!
Diamond
Firehouse Subs
Winsight Media
Gold
Silver
Flavor & The Menu
Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service
Plate Magazine
Gift
Bubbly Sponsor
National Mango Board
F&B Sponsor
National Watermelon Promotion Board
Washington Red Raspberry Commission
Sign up today to be a sponsor of the most effervescent party at NRA. To sponsor go to the IFEC website, log into your Member Center and go to Events. Register by April 5th.
A Toast to the Coast – IFEC in Santa Barbara
IFEC heads to Santa Barbara in a few weeks to start food tour and chef showcase scouting. Do you have any specific chef connections or food tour ideas for this area – don’t be shy! Email ifec@ifeconline.com with suggestions. In the meantime mark your calendars in permanent marker for November 2-4, 2020 for a not-to-be-missed IFEC conference. Some sneek peaks:
- Pool-side parties (not to be confused with pool parties, no NEED to pack a bathing suit unless you want to)
- Chef Showcase at a historic beachfront venue
- Award winning F&B photographer Leigh Loftus will be leading our First Course – learn how to utlilize all the features on your phone’s camera to take incredible food shots and then key steps to maximize their impact on social media
- Beautiful beacfront resort property withing walking distance to the downtown – and the renowed Funk Zone
- Inspiring and educational food tours in beautiful Southern California
- Return of spilt sessions – Media Roundtable and Publicisit Strategy Session
- Plus more – speakers and additional sessions to be announced
The Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara has just under 200 rooms, book early to insure you can stay on site. Link to book rooms is here.
Regional Receptions
IFEC members network whenever they can – it does not stop at the annual conference or the Bubble Party at NRA. The IFEC regional receptions are a fabulous opportunity to connect with longtime member friends, get to know new members better and introduce prospective members to the IFEC scene. If you or anyone you feel may benefit from an IFEC membership are in the three following areas, make sure these dates are on your radar:
Chicago: March 10, 2020 at Quartino’s, co-chaired by Mike Kostyo and Bill Schreiber, click here for invite.
Washington DC: date and location TBD, chaired by Avery Lewis
Hudson Valley: June 18, 2020, Plan Bee Farm Brewery during Menus of Change at CIA, IFEC staff (Chairperson welcome) Sponsorships available.
Have an idea for a new location? Let us know!
Help Wanted
As a membership association IFEC relies on volunteers. There is a big demand for the following committees – sign up today!
Professional Development Awards
Recommends policies and practices; reviews applications and recommends recipients and amounts of reimbursements for recipients. The total allocation is determined by the Board in the annual budget.
Co-Chairs: Amelia Levin & Megan McKenna
Andrea Simrell
Scholarship Awards (deadline for applications is March 15 – we need volunteers quickly)
Recommends policies and practices; reviews applications and recommends recipients and amounts of scholarship awards for recipients. The total annual allocation is determined by the Board in the annual budget.
Chair:
Mary Humann
Andrea Simrell
Auction to Benefit Scholarship Fund
Manages the auction, both online and onsite, including interfacing with the online service, if any, marketing, soliciting donations, and handling other tasks as necessary for a successful event. (This is a labor-intensive committee requiring planning and committee meetings beginning 6 months prior to the event.)
Co-Chairs:
(5-6)
Food for Good Awards
Manages the award program from soliciting nominations, selecting the recipient, notifying recipient, providing relevant information, photos, etc., to staff for marketing and promotion, inviting and hosting recipient at awards presentation. (This requires planning meetings with committee starting 6 months prior to the event and continuing up until and during the awards.)
Chair:
Mary Humann
Office Hours
Manages Office Hours on-site, working with committee members to cover the Office Hours Desk throughout the conference, keeping time; handling changes, cancellations and re-schedules on the Master Schedule. The actual scheduling is handled by staff using software in the online database/association management system. (This is time-intensive during the conference.)
Chair:
(4-5)
Trend Sessions Advisory Committee
Reviews the proposals submitted by interested sponsors and chooses the sessions that will be conducted in coordination with staff. (This requires concentrated work and a committee meeting 2 months prior to the conference.)
(5) Mike Kostyo
It’s a great way to network, get involved and support a worthy cause at the same time. Please contact ifec@ifeconline.com if you’d like to help.
2020 Jesse H. Neal Awards Finalists
Congratulations to the IFEC media members who made the list. For the complete list of the Neal Awards Finalists click here. IFEC media members on the list:
Best Commentary/Blog
Basket Economics, Winsight Grocery Business, winsightgrocerybusiness.com/Winsight
Best Profile
Retail Leader of the Year: Chet Cadieux, CSP/Winsight
Best Industry Coverage
- Progressive Grocer: Annual Report / Super 50 / Consumer Expenditures Study, Progressive Grocer
- Winsight Grocery Business Shifts to High Gear in 2019, Winsight Grocery Business
- CBD in Convenience Stores, CSP
Best Single Issue of a Tabloid/Newspaper/Magazine:
- Food Management, October issue, Food Management
- July 2019: Consider the Source, FoodService Director
- Finding a Restaurant’s Place — Sept. 30, 2019, Nation’s Restaurant News/Informa Plc
Best Art Direction for a Single Article:
H-E-B Climbs to the Top of the Heap, Winsight Grocery Business
Best Art Direction for a Cover:
What’s Hot, Foodservice Director
Best Overall Art Direction/Design:
Top 100 Independents / Top 500 Chains / Navigating Franchising Today, Restaurant Business
The Next Big Thing? / Outlook Survey 2019 / Can you remain relevant?, CSP
Best Website:
Restaurant Business Online, Restaurant Business
Best Range of Work by a Single Author:
Jonathan Maze, Restaurant Business
Best Media Brand (Overall Editorial Excellence):
Restaurant Business
New members
We’re happy to welcome a newly-minted IFECer:
Jamie Brond
Fleishman Hillard
2405 Grand Blvd., Suite 1000
Kansas City, MO 64108
jamie.brond@fleishman.com
IFEC CALENDAR
March 10, 2020 Chicago Regional Reception
March 15, 2020 Student Scholarships Applications due
April 15, 2020 Professional Development Award Applications due
May 18, 2020 Board of Directors Meeting, Chicago
May 18, 2020 Bubble Party during the NRA Show,Chicago
June 18, 2020 Hudson Valley Regional Reception
November 2-4, 2020 Annual Conference in Madison, WI
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Remember to send you news for the next newsletter to Jen Mac Kay, jen@ifeconline.com. Keeping your name and your business activities on your colleagues’ radar is an easy way to network.
Cheers,
Jen Mac Kay
Executive Director/Newsletter Editor
ifec@ifeconline.com / www.ifeconline.com
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