As another year draws to a close, the value of gathering is again highlighted.
From Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, we hosted the 2024 Foodservice Equipment & Design Global Thought Leadership Summit, aka FED Summit, in Chicago.
I’d like to take a moment to thank all the speakers who took the time from their busy schedules to enrich the 2024 FED Summit with their insights and expertise, as well as the attendees whose active participation made the conference a resounding success.
This year’s event (coverage begins on page 28) was the realization of what a peer-to-peer conference can be. Bringing buyers and sellers together, certainly, but also bringing educators together with industry leaders, bringing channel partners together with operators, designers together with dealers and people from various roles within the industry together who don’t normally get to network with each other.
The greatest compliment for the success of the event was the active engagement from attendees during the succinct TED-style talks, which are available to watch in full at FEDThoughtLeadership.com. This engagement led into lively networking breaks filled with animated discussions among colleagues across sectors.
Learning from one another is such a vital part of our continued development, and I can’t wait to continue to learn from all my industry colleagues in 2025.
First up on my 2025 calendar are two events in January: the WISE Experience from the Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management (SHFM) and FEED, Foodservice Essentials for Effective Design, which is hosted by the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) Education Foundation. Then, as you no doubt noticed, it will be time for The NAFEM Show! Be sure to check out the FE&S 2025 The NAFEM Show Planning Guide, included with this edition of FE&S. It features everything you’ll need to ensure you get the most out of three jam-packed days.
Starting to plan your own 2025 calendar, but not sure where to start? Be sure to check FESmag.com/events/industry-events.
All the best,
Maureen
