If there is one lesson that I have learned well through my association with FE&S over the years, it is the tremendous value of peer recognition. I have listened spellbound as award winners from DSR of the Year to Hall of Famer to Top Achievers to Dealer of the Year have graciously accepted their place among the very best in the industry at the FE&S Dealer of the Year and Industry Awards Gala.

That is why I am especially proud today to tell you about some award winners of our own. Joe Carbonara, editor in chief, and the entire editorial staff are to be congratulated for the feat of bringing home eight different regional, national and international awards as judged by two separate business publishing associations for editorial and design excellence.

The Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) presented Zoomba Group with three of its 2012 Tabbie Awards, including a national gold award for Best Use of Social Media. One notable judging comment about this award: "Very interactive use of social media tools...The content is quirky, the interaction shows audience is engaged and the use of social media platforms to drive the content in traditional media platforms is inspiring."

And the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) presented FE&S with five Azbee Awards, including a 2012 National Gold Award for the best opening spread design for the June 2011 Hall of Fame article chronicling the remarkable career of Hockenbergs' Tom Schrack Sr.

So, congratulations Joe; art director Anne LoCascio; social media director Rebecca Kilbreath; and contributing editors Donna Boss, Amelia Levin, Dana Tanyeri and Lisa White; as well as everyone else on the Zoomba Group team who contributed to this incredible recognition by your business publishing peers.

On the subject of awards, we are announcing a significant enhancement to the FE&S Hall of Fame Award. Beginning in 2013, this award will be open to all members of the foodservice equipment and supplies community. The steady encouragement that we have received over the years from our readers and industry partners has led to this decision. So, make sure that you get your nominees to Joe for consideration.

Also, you are invited to submit an entry for FE&S' 2013 Performance in Tabletop Awards. For details, send Joe an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Finally, be sure to look for the results to FE&S' 2012 Best in Class study in the October issue. Thanks to all the foodservice operators, dealers and consultants who participated in this year's research — you are part of a record number of responses.

P.S. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @FESmagazine.