FIA News
FIA TO HOST INTERACTIVE SYMPOSIUM ON CHALLENGE OF ATTRACTING TOMORROW’S LEADERS TO FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY
TO REGISTER: register online or download registration form
December 5th event to be held in conjunction with the University of Houston’s Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
PLEASANTVILLE, NJ – October 1, 2007 – The newly established Foodservice Institute of America (FIA) has announced that it will host an educational event entitled Foodservice Professionals…the Next Generation, an interactive symposium on the growing challenge of attracting tomorrow’s leaders to the foodservice industry. The event will be held December 5, 2007 at the Hilton University of Houston in association with the University’s Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, one of the world’s premier hospitality programs.
This thought-provoking, one-day program will challenge participants to take a fresh look at this critical issue, generate new ideas and insights, and utilize their experience and expertise to develop potential solutions.
Panelists for the symposium will include:
Debi Benedetti
Principal, Beyond the Possible. Ms. Benedetti founded Beyond the Possible to assist executives and aspiring executives in the hospitality and foodservice industry. A 30+ year veteran in the industry, Ms. Benedetti is an adjunct professor at the Culinary Institute of America and sits on the Advisory Board of UNLV’s Harrah’s College of Hotel Administration. She was recently named the Conrad Hilton Distinguished Lecturer at San Diego State University.More >>
John Bowen
Ph. D., Dean of the Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. In a recent article in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, Dr. Bowen was listed as one of the five most influential hospitality management faculty.More >>
Joleen Flory
Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Training for Famous Dave’s of America. Ms. Flory serves on the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Certification Governing Board and is certified as both a Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Foodservice Management Professional.More >>
John Nackley, Jr.
Marketing Manager, MLB Advertising. Mr. Nackley’s responsibilities include marketing and branding strategy development and execution. He works with several foodservice equipment firms, among other clients. He is a graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA, where he earned a BS in food marketing and an MBA in marketing. Mr. Nackley offers an important, youthful perspective on the issue, including how young professionals view the industry and the factors upon which they base career choices.More >>
Moderator - Ken Wasco of Gordon Food Service.
Mr. Wasco has lectured to foodservice/hospitality related majors at Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Ohio University, Bowling Green University, Central Michigan University, Michigan State University and other colleges and universities. He has been the keynote speaker for numerous national, regional and state foodservice conferences, including ADA, NACUFS, ARA, DMA, ASHFSA and HFM among others. Mr. Wasco is also the author of “Live Like You Mean It.” More >>
“There can be no more important issue facing the foodservice industry than attracting and developing top talent,” said FIA President John Egnor. “Our challenge is to transform the image of the hospitality industry into a viable and preferred career choice for young professionals. We will address such questions as: How do how we find and advance new talent? How do we make the foodservice industry an attractive career option for the best and the brightest of the next generation?
“The expert panelists and moderator will be an important component of this program,” added Egnor. “But the thoughts and ideas brought forth by the participants will be of equal, if not greater importance. This is a terrific opportunity to not only learn about a vitally important issue, but contribute in a meaningful way to the discussion as well.”
The symposium is open to FIA members and anyone in the foodservice and hospitality community who have a stake in the future of the industry. The cost to FIA members is $299, while the fee for non-members is $350.
The symposium is limited to 125 participants. To register, call the FIA office at 609.645.3131. Click here to download the registration form or Click here to register online.
For more information on the panelists and moderator, click here.
We recently invited FIA Founding Directors to weigh in on this topic and its relevance to our industry. We received several responses, including this particularly insightful one from Scott Saklad, President of Computrition.
To read Scott's response, click here.
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FIA Announces Founding Members
Pleasantville, NJ – The Foodservice Institute of America (FIA) has announced its Founding Membership, including 11 Founding Directors, the highest level of membership in the newly created organization. The Founding Members to date are:
| Founding Directors | Founding Partner | Founding Benefactors | Founding Supporters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brass Smith LLC Manufacturing |
American Foodservice | Alto Sham | Dormant |
| Carbone Associates |
Continental Refrigerator | Eaton Marketing | |
| Computrition |
Eagle Group | Southern California Gas Co. | |
| EmJac Industries | Follett Corporation | ||
| Enodis | Georgie Shockey | ||
| Gaylord | Inman Foodservice Group | ||
| Halton | Irinox | ||
| Hobart | WoodStone Corporation | ||
| John Egnor | Somat Company | ||
| Metro Industries | Stero | ||
| SSA |
FIA was founded in late 2006 by John Egnor of JEM Associates, Georgie Shockey of Ruck–Shockey Associates and Ken Schwartz of SSA, three well–known and highly respected consultants/designers in the foodservice industry.
A non–profit organization, FIA’s mission centers on bringing together all segments of the industry in ways that promote enhanced communication, education and collaboration. Its members represent a complete cross–section of the foodservice industry, including manufacturers, operators, culinary professionals, designers/specifiers, dealers, brokers, educators and others.
FIA’s vision is rooted in the creation of a new model for the foodservice industry through which every company and individual in it can access resources that enable them to operate more efficiently and effectively, more cohesively, better connected and better prepared to embrace the future.
“We are very pleased and proud that these companies have seen fit to support FIA
as Founding Members,” said John Egnor, president of FIA.
“It indicates that they have a passion for the foodservice industry and a commitment to help it grow and prosper. Their support — and that of all our other members — will enable us to develop programs and services that will not only benefit them, but the entire industry. We encourage others in the industry to join these distinguished companies in supporting our mission and vision.”
FIA Founders Provide Helping Hand
The Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology will soon open its new $10 million early childhood development center. The center is a cornerstone of the University’s partnership with the Columbus, Ohio, community and is designed to support economically challenged families in one of Columbus’ poorest neighborhoods.
Georgie Shockey, a founder of FIA, is an OSU graduate and a member of the alumni board for the College of Education and Ecology. When she heard about the project, she quickly reached out to her FIA colleagues to enlist their support. Because of her efforts, and the generous support of FIA Founding Members John Egnor (JEM Associates), Ruck–Shockey Associates, Hobart, InterMetro Industries, Eagle Group, Continental Refrigerator and Dormont Manufacturing, they were able to furnish the entire kitchen for this project.
“To me, this collaborative effort represents the true spirit of FIA,” said Georgie. “It’s about people coming together with a shared vision and a common goal.” I’m proud to be part of an organization whose members are so willing to support something so worthwhile.”
To read more about this project, click here.
For Immediate Release
April 9, 2007Contact: Rodger Gottlieb
609.645.3131
FOODSERVICE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA (FIA) COMPLETES INITIAL ‘FOUNDING MEMBERSHIP’ MEETINGS
Founders John Egnor, Ken Schwartz and Georgie
Shockey share innovative group’s
vision with all facets of the Foodservice industry.
PLEASANTVILLE, NJ – April 9, 2007 – The newly established Foodservice Institute of America (FIA) recently completed a series of regional meetings in five cities to introduce the organization to prospective members from throughout the industry. The meetings took place from March 12—19 in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Newark, and were attended by more than 160 professionals representing all segments of the foodservice industry.
FIA is comprised of End Users, Operators, Chefs, Educators, Manufacturers,
Specifiers (Consultants), Independent Sales Representatives, Kitchen
Equipment Contractors, Food Purveyors, and Business Leaders of
the Foodservice Community
The purpose of the meetings was to introduce the newly established
non–profit organization, its philosophy and mission, and enlist
support from all segments of the foodservice industry.
Chicago Meeting
FIA brings together all facets of the industry in ways that foster
enhanced education, communication and collaboration. FIA serves
as a vehicle through which individuals and organizations in the
foodservice community may work together more cohesively, effectively
and efficiently than ever before.
The meetings included a presentation by FIA’s founders:
John Egnor of JEM Associates, Georgie Shockey of Ruck–Shockey
Associates and Ken Schwartz of SSA Foodservice Consultants. A
luncheon program with noted industry speaker and author Rudy Miick
was also part of the agenda.
LA Meeting
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