President’s Letter
Dear friends,
2020 has come to a close, and like so many others, I’m tempted to say “good riddance” to the year. It’s easy to be cynical when your career straddles two industries—foodservice and publishing—that have been ravaged by the pandemic. However, I’m not a naturally cynical person (though I have my moments), so when I reflect on 2020, I try my best to see the highlights, not the shadows, wherever possible.
One of those highlights was IFEC to Go, a virtual event that we got overwhelmingly positive feedback on. Personally, I enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces—along with a good number of new ones!—on my screen. Professionally, our publication acquired a bevy of good ideas, information and contacts during office hours (as we do every single year!) It’s also been fulfilling to see the hard work on IFEC’s strategic plan, which will be vital to ensure the organization’s successful future.
Now, I’m pleased to pass the presidential torch to Nicole Duncan, FSR editor with Food News Media. I know that she, along with the rest of the executive board (Avery Lewis, Liz Slobodian and Megan McKenna) and IFEC staff, will serve IFEC well in 2021. Thank you for the opportunity to lead IFEC in 2020, and here’s to a brighter 2021!
Kelsey Casselbury
Contributing Editor, School Nutrition
Year End Executive Director Address and Report: IFEC by Numbers
I don’t usually add my own note in the IFEC newsletter but I would like to devote a few paragraphs to summarizing IFEC’s experience as an association during 2020. Being in the unique position that I am, with regular communications from an impressively varied representation of the foodservice industry, I have been struck by the devotion and commitment our members have to a struggling industry. I have experienced a significant number of phone calls from members who found themselves out of work, dealing with a salary reduction or an increased workload due to layoffs in the workplace. I have also been witness to an unflagging optimism that things will get better, that we will experience in-person events and that the industry will rebound.
The one thing that this pandemic has shown our organization is that no matter how good your wi-fi is and how effective your Zoom meetings are is that people miss people. Networking and connections will always be needed and valued, even if they may appear in new forms. As a whole the world has been forced to adapt and IFEC as an organization will adapt as well. Help IFEC to survive and even thrive. Use the Job Board – not just for open positions but you can use it to post your own availability. Use the Member Directory to stay in touch with other members. Use the resources in the Member Toolkit – like the expanded Meet the Press Deck. Have an idea for a professional development webinar? Send the idea to see if we can offer it!
IFEC is currently experiencing the lowest membership numbers in over 30 years. It is time to reinvent ourselves as a membership association. We seek out your volunteer energy, creative ideas and constructive suggestions to best serve your professional needs. The workforce and foodservice industry have undoubtedly changed and IFEC will continue to flex and adapt to serve its members – along with providing the unparalleled networking and camaraderie we have been known for. I urge you to make sure you plan to renew your membership this year and encourage others to join.
Each year we take the opportunity to summarize the year’s activity. We included the prior year numbers to provide some context since 2020 was ahem…a bit unusual. I wish everyone a happy and safe New Year.
Cheers,
Jennifer Mac Kay
Executive Director
| 2020 | 2019 |
136 members
|
188 members
|
Members self-identified with:
|
Members self-identified with:
|
| CANCELLED | 2019 Bubble Party
|
IFEC To Go Virtual Event
|
Madison Conference
|
Receptions & Scholarships
|
Receptions & Scholarships
|
Story Mart/Job Board
|
Story Mart/Job Board
|
Looking ahead to 2021 and beyond
The annual NRA Show Bubble Party is tentatively planned at the Hotel Palomar in Chicago on Monday, May 24 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. As always, that’s the Monday of the NRA Show, be there and bring prospective members to give them a glimpse of the IFEC energy.
2021 annual conference will be at The Graduate Annapolis, October 25-27, 2021. Put this one on your calendar NOW, Annapolis is a beautiful small city with an amazing waterfront, colonial history and vibrant food culture.
IFEC 2022 & 2023? We still plan to head to Santa Barbara CA in 2022, new dates are still TBD. 2023 planning will be started in the first quarter. Initial plans were to be in Louisville in 2023 2023 planning resume in the first quarter. Email ideas Jen Mac Kay at ifec@ifeconline.com. Members do not need to live in the city they suggest, but contacts and direct experience are.
Want to volunteer on a committee? Committee opening will be sent out later next week.
Professional Development Award Application
Are you considering any professional development opportunities during 2021? If so check out the IFEC Professional Development Award in the Member Center section of the website. IFEC’s Professional Development Awards provide reimbursements to qualifying members to help cover tuition or fees for educational activities such as conferences, workshops, degree-granting programs, continuing education courses and more. To qualify, applicants must have been members for a least 3 years, see the application for more details.
Thirty IFECers have received awards since the program began 14 years ago, including last year’s recipients Mary Humann. Maximize your IFEC membership and take advantage of all the member perks.
Industry News
Have you been ignoring the airline emails in your in-box? Southwest Airlines has added Santa Barbara to their list of cities. This is great news for the Southwest fans in our membership and will help keep travel costs down for IFEC staff since the association has a healthy reserve of Rapid Rewards and the 2022 annual conference is slated to be in Santa Barbara.
New Members
Please welcome the final new member of 2020.
Sacha Cohen, Founder and CEO
Grassfed Media
416 N Cleveland St
Arlington, VA 22201
sacha@grassfedmediadc.com
We are looking to expand our ranks! Know someone who could benefit from an IFEC membership? Email jen@ifeconline.com and send us their name and contact info. We can reach out.
IFEC CALENDAR
April 15, 2021
Professional Development Award Applications due
May 24, 2021
Board of Directors Meeting, Chicago
May 24, 2021
Bubble Party during the NRA Show, Chicago
October 25-27, 2021
Annual Conference in Annapolis, MD
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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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