Earlier this year, many of the professionals in our industry attended The NAFEM Show, an exciting event featuring countless new products, focused educational opportunities and lots of networking. Indeed, many of us were out glad-handing and renewing old relationships.
During a recent conversation with one of the funnier and more irreverent members of the manufacturing community, I was asked where one might go to visit the Foodservice Equipment & Supplies' Dealer Hall of Fame? Canton, Ohio? St Louis? Chicago?
Springtime in Chicago means many things for those us who love Chi-town. For those of us who live here, and for anyone in a northern clime who has endured yet another brutal winter, the traditional themes of renewal are impossible to escape. The flowers blooming along Michigan Avenue aren't simply flowers; they are colorful, petaled testimonials to our perseverance and survival skills.
During this year's Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association (FEDA) convention I had the honor and privilege to pass the gavel to the next FEDA president. As this time approached, it was only natural for me to reflect on my two years as president of the association.
Earlier this spring, the restaurant community braced itself to deal with a sharp increase in food prices that came about due to rising oil costs and other factors. Undoubtedly, we all have to be aware of rising food costs, but increased energy costs is just as important an issue facing foodservice facilities today. It's a topic that facility professionals regularly discuss and often try to tackle. Unfortunately, our efforts tend to get stalled by the notion that reducing energy is pretty complex, costly or both.
