Spring 2024
From the IFEC President
Greetings IFEC,
IFEC’s volunteer committees and directors have worked hard since my last letter to set up an array of outstanding opportunities for our members. Is anyone excited about the Bubbles ‘n Biz networking event during the National Restaurant Show this May? I was already excited to attend and see the venue IFEC friend Adam Moore and his cohorts are launching this spring—but then Chicago local Mike Kostyo stopped by the new space and reported back. Now I can’t wait!!
On a personal (business) note, I am pleased to support this event with a platinum level sponsorship on behalf of United Soybean Board, which is the commodity group behind the “U.S. Soy” brand. Even better, USB’s foodservice agency, MSL Group, is tag teaming with me to additionally offer a product sponsorship (soy food station) at the event. Your board was pleased to approve a committee idea for a new multi-member agency/corporate rate (more below) ; the decision was just in time for two new members of MSL Group to join IFEC—and soon add to the ranks of publicist members who can share IFEC brand showcase success stories. Please, if you’ve not signed up to sponsor B ‘n B, join us! And, a hearty thanks to the many of you who already have!
Speaking of yummy events and tantalizing sponsorship opportunities, we are ahead of schedule in planning the condensed annual conference in Chicago this fall. You’ll recall me explaining the event is not abridged but rather condensed, as it is filled with networking, learning and brand awareness opportunities. Entitled “Deep Dish on Trends & Tastes,” the conference will be jam-packed with serious professional opportunities and, true to IFEC form, lighthearted fun for each of you personally.
We had to work “trends” into the 2024 conference title because two new sessions (breakfast, anyone?!?) will light up your creative juices and surely inspire engaging content for our media members. Never a group to lock folks in a dark basement conference room, the other new trend-focused session will get us out on the Windy City streets and into its restaurants to further explore what our members feel are emerging or prevalent trends for foodservice.
Throughout the year and in addition to these two cornerstone events, we are hosting IFEC Insight Hours. I hope you’ve participated in at least a couple of these virtual professional development options. Those who joined the recent AI session and other Insight Hours for both our editors and publicists will, I believe, echo me in saying these sessions are not fluff: You will truly learn something if you Zoom in!
Last internal item I’d like to mention: The marketing committee and social media subcommittee have collaborated with our outstanding staff to up our social media game. Please help us by liking, sharing or emulating our content so we can speak outside our (albeit very awesome) silo and let others beyond our membership learn the many IFEC member benefits. All committees are working diligently to not only meet the needs of our current membership but also grow the organization; we need your help!
I did not get to meet Betty Bastion in my IFEC tenure, but I have known many IFECers who knew her well. She has been a shining example for many in her commitment to the organization, character and leadership. More on the namesake of our highest award in the paragraphs below, but I offer a sincere posthumous thanks to a woman who, by all accounts, was a remarkable person and whose legacy we aim to continue.
Cheers!
Wendy
Wendy Brannen
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, American Soybean Association
Virtual Meet the Press
Just like our traditional fall Meet the Press, this session will be a must-attend event to provide a mid-year touch point. Media members will meet virtually to discuss editorial calendar changes, new opportunities and events. Non-editor members should use the link below to register for this session. Editor members will receive a separate panelist invite.
When: Apr 18, 2024, 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Spring Virtual Meet the Press
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://ifeconline.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TGR4vZLfTBSqkFfqU-4iaw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Bubbles ‘n Biz Networking Event at the Restaurant Show on Monday, May 20, 2024
Join us at our rebranded Bubbles ‘n Biz Networking Event at the brand new Flashpoint Innovation Kitchen at 1516 on Monday, May 20, 2024, 4:30pm-7:00pm. All IFEC members and their industry guests are encouraged to attend.
The support for this year’s sponsorships has been amazing – but we still have space for more! Many thanks to the generous sponsors to date.
Bubbles ‘n Biz Sponsors
Platinum Level
Informa Foodservice
United Soybean Board (U.S. Soy)
Gold Level
Zoomba Group
Silver Level
BNP Media
Datassential
Flavor & The Menu
Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service
Plate Magazine
Summit F&B
Bubbly Sponsor
Stacey Kane – Fractional CMO
Product Sponsorships
American Lamb Board
California Avocado Commission
Idaho Potato Commission
Krispy Krunchy Chicken
National Mango Board
National Watermelon Promotion Board
Otis Spunkmeyer
U.S. Soy
For more information, get the Sponsorship Deck here.
Association Updates
New Corporate Rate
IFEC’s new multimember agency rate accommodates up to three (3) agency or corporate staff joining IFEC for a flat $1,000 fee. Single person memberships are $395 for renewals and $495 for new members. If your agency wants to switch to this option, please email Jennifer Mac Kay at ifec@ifeconline.com.
$ Updated Professional Development Awards Program $
Is there an event you want to check out for professional development? Is there a course you want to take online or at a local community college? But money is tight? IFEC has the answer! Apply for the newly revamped Professional Development Awards Program. With the ultimate goal to increase membership value and improve member engagement, the requirements have been relaxed to welcome more applications in 2024. If you are looking for potential events, check out the new Industry Events page on the IFEC website. In addition to the program updates and external opportunities, the Kay Orde Memorial Scholarship is available once again for conference registration. The application is available in the Member Center on the website. Don’t delay: Applications are due by May 1st!
Approximately $30,000 has been awarded since 2006
Past award reimbursements include:
- Global Reporting Initiative Certification
- American Dietetic Association’s Food and Culinary Practice Group’s “Passport to Flavor”
- Social Media Marketing Intensive
- CHRIE Conference
- American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA) Holistic Nutritionist Certification
- Content Marketing World
- PRSA Crisis Communications Certificate Program
- Chef’s Apprentice Technical Certificate
- IACP
- Worlds of Flavor
- Catersource
IFEC Annual Conference: October 28-29, 2024
IFEC 2024, Chicago: Deep Dish on Trends & Tastes is Oct. 28-29. Sponsor opportunities will include a unique culinary trends tour and breakfast session with IFEC’s foodservice media, during which time we will “taste the trends” while the editors talk about them. Sponsorship opportunities will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis, so look out for details or inquire directly.
Additionally, we are thrilled to collaborate with Kendall College for a full day of eating, “office hours” pitch sessions with foodservice media, networking and learning at its Michigan Avenue campus, where the students will be engaged in preparing and serving the menus for the day (including sponsor products). Join us for this year’s top annual IFEC event, starting and staying at the historic Palmer House Hotel, home of the original brownie—where sponsor and learning opportunities will abound. Conference sponsorship registration opens in May. The room rate is $209, and the link will be posted on the website once we have it.
New for 2024! During IFEC’s jam-packed, condensed annual conference we will feature a “Trend-Around” progressive restaurant walk on the first evening, to take place after the Welcome Reception/Check-in event at the historic Palmer House Hotel. Conference registrants will visit four restaurants, each partnered up with a media member and one to two sponsors to sample trend-forward bites and sips. This will be a very limited sponsorship opportunity that will be available on a first come, first served basis.
ICYMI
Professional Development Series Recordings
All recordings are also found in the Member Tool Kit
March 13, 2024: IFEC Insight Hours with Member Focus: “How I use AI Every Day” with Mike Kostyo, VP Menu Matters
Recorded Session: https://youtu.be/WbxThoX2QHwP
March 5, 2024: IFEC Insight Hours with Member Focus: “IFEC Tools” with Megan McKenna, Sr. Director of Fodservice & Marketing at National Watermelon Promotion Board
Recorded Session: https://youtu.be/GMtW0A6Ys9Q
January 30, 2024: IFEC Insight Hours with Media Focus: ” Does “Content Is King” Need a Coup D’etat? with Patty Fitzgerald
Recorded Session: https://youtu.be/AUfx6EQiU6c
January 25, 2024: IFEC Insight Hours with Publicists Focus: Unlocking the Secrets of Successful IFEC Event Sponsorships
Recorded Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRuxAXe4GxY
Member Updates
Congratulations to former IFEC president (and current board secretary) Avery Meetre on the birth of her daughter, Charlotte Rose, on January 8.
No need to wait for the monthly IFEC events. Join IFEC’s Slack group. Don’t let the connections you forged in Louisville falter! Join the Slack group and be part of the conversation.
Invite link will expire on 3/24/24 https://join.slack.com/t/international-zsd6053/shared_invite/zt-2d8jrf4yv-2GYazEGrwag3BifRQxtiqQ
Also make sure you are a follower of the IFEC LinkedIn page and start engaging with other members.
Welcome back! Boomerang Member
Gail Bellamy
Bellamy Productions LTd
Cleveland Heighs, OH
bellamy.gail@gmail.com
New members
We’re happy to welcome these newly-minted IFECers:
Marta Gamez
MSL Group
Bothell, Washington
marta.gamez@mslgroup.com
Sara Hagen
FoodMix Marketing Communications
Elmhurst, IL
shagen@foodmix.net
Kristin Livermore
FoodMix Marketing Communications
Elmhurst, IL
klivermore@foodmix.net
Lisa Ptak
FoodMix Marketing Communications
Elmhurst, IL
lptak@foodmix.net
Adam Skaf
MSL Group
Chicago, IL
adam.skaf@mslgroup.com
2024 Calendar
- April 18: Spring Virtual Meet the Press, 3 pm EST
- May 20: Bubbles’n Biz: IFEC Networking Event at the Restaurant Show, 4:30 p.m. CST
- October 15: Fall Virtual Meet the Press, 1 pm EST
- October 28 & 29: IFEC Annual Conference in Chicago
Jen Mac Kay
Executive Director/Newsletter Editor
ifec@ifeconline.com / www.ifeconline.com
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