There is a lot going on in this busy month for the foodservice industry. Thanks to this being a leap year, we’ve got an extra day in February and that’s a good thing because it looks like we are going to need it! Coming off the heels of a bustling MAFSI conference in Palm Springs, Calif., the first few weeks of February are chocked full of learning and networking opportunities.

For our advertising partners — you know, the ones who make this publication possible and allow us to create valuable original content for the readers of FE&S to consume month in and month out — it starts out with the NAFEM Annual Meeting and Management Workshop, Feb. 5-8 in Savannah, Ga.

This is followed by the FCSI Educational Foundation’s FEED Workshop (Foodservice Essentials for Effective Design), Feb. 18-21 in Nashville, Tenn. Time is short, and space is limited, so check out the details at fcsief.org/feed-workshop. Zoomba Group is proud to be the exclusive media partner for this inaugural event.

Closing out the month is an event that I am personally excited to participate in at Mattel Global Headquarters in El Segundo, Calif.: The 2024 WISE Experience. Hosted by the Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management, this promises to be a great conference that brings together an amazing group of women to share their Wisdom, Inspiration, Support and Excellence, Feb. 28-29. Pertinent details can be found at shfm-online.org/event/wise-24.

As a female entrepreneur who is extremely aware of the many challenges that women have faced over the decades in breaking the glass ceiling of a male-dominated industry and awed by the progress that women have made over that time, I am so looking forward to sharing experiences and encouragement with many of the very people who have made it happen. 

We hope you enjoy this issue of FE&S and thank you for your loyal readership!

All the best,

Maureen