A Special Thanks to Our 2019
Direct Connection Sponsors!
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Sponsor Spotlight: Streivor Airsystems, Inc.
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Streivor’s Wall Canopy Hoods with patented SmartAire Technology, deliver the lowest exhaust airflow requirements and the highest energy efficiency available in the Industry.
Streivor Exhaust Hoods with SmartAire Technology reduce Capital and Operational costs.
Streivor is ready to collaborate with you to engineer the most energy efficient Commercial Kitchen Ventilation Systems possible.
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In this Issue
Member News
- New Members
- #myfcsi
- Log Your CEUs
- Camp FCSI
- Educational Foundation
- FCSI Store
- Experts Network
Save the Date
Quick Links
Serving Up Solutions - Tapas Edition
Chapter Corner
- NE Chapter Holiday Social
- Canadian Chapter Christmas Holiday Walkabout
- Chapter Nominations
- Camacho's Annual Charity Golf Tournament
- Chapter Leader Contact Info
Industry News
- NRA Show
- NAFEM Advocacy Update
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The Red Zone
Well, gang…it’s two minutes left in the fourth quarter and we’re in the “Red Zone” on a fourth and goal to go! In U.S. and Canadian football jargon, this means that the game is nearing completion and we have a chance to score a touchdown and ultimately, win the game!
From an end of year standpoint, closing another chapter in our FCSI The Americas history, this is true. From the standpoint of “winning the game” – we have already done that as we end 2019 with all victories and no defeats, folks! This old guy is turning over the “keys to the castle” to Eric Norman, FCSI (the young guy on the block who already has a wealth of experience…take your bow, Eric, and now do your thing!).
As for me, you aren’t rid of me yet…I am going forward as FCSI Worldwide Chair, so I’ll be talking to all of you from time to time within a different context, as it relates to our Worldwide Society business.
I have truly enjoyed the last two years and want to especially thank my wonderful Board of Trustees for their support and professionalism – all super people and consummate professionals. A huge thank you also to Wade Koehler and his great staff as well, for all they have done and continue to do to create success after success for our Division. And last, but not least, all of you members whose support has created a Division whose strength in numbers, program excellence, financial position and professionalism, is at an all time Divisional and Society high – my hat is off to all of you!
Thanks, and my best wishes to all for a best ever 2020!
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Bill Caruso, FFCSI (PP)
Chair - FCSI The Americas
President Elect - FCSI Worldwide
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It's True
James Camacho, FCSI
It’s True, my first FCSI The Americas Board of Trustees meeting was literally minutes after the Minneapolis Conference. We were basically bankrupt and the future of FCSI was not looking good. Several of our sponsors were wondering if FCSI The Americas Division would survive much longer. Ed Norman, FFCSI was the new chair and very soon thereafter we had a new Executive Director, Wade Koehler, CAE. Thanks to the leadership and hard work of Ed and Wade, plus the commitment of the Board and our sponsors, FCSI The Americas was given a new purpose and a new direction. A short two years later at our Conference in Kansas City, members, sponsors, and our allied associates were amazed by our turn around. Our The Americas Board and members were excited by what they saw and the reaction we received.
It’s True, FCSI The Americas was committed to continual rebuilding and growth. The Phoenix conference was such a high point that members who had left began to return. They saw an FCSI they wanted to a part of - our numbers continue to increase. The symposiums were attracting more and more attendees. The all-Industry party hosted by FCSI prior to the NAFEM Show became a must attend event. We were setting the bar higher and higher with great educations and events. When we began rebuilding The Americas, we had to ask members to run for the Board. Now, we have many wanting to serve and willing to run for a seat. We had 2 or 3 members in South America, and now we have well over 20 active members.
It’s True, FCSI The Americas members, like other associations' members often ask, “what is the value to me?”, “what will I get?”. We do occasionally get a project lead from a client who was searching the FCSI website, but I have always said the value of FCSI are the members. You realize the greatest value through being involved, serving on the Board, a committee, task force or leading a discussion or breakout session at one of our functions. I have had many members tell me this is true. They did not understand when I told them, the value is the members, until they got involved.
It’s True, FCSI The Americas is in a great position. We have a strong membership that is growing, great relations with our Allied partners, and the full support and friendship with our outstanding Sponsors. The current Board members and the 2020 Board of Trustees are dedicated to the members to provide education, training, and support. They are constantly seeking ways to showcase our members and promoting why our clients should choose FCSI members for their projects. Our new incoming Chair,
Eric Norman, FCSI and Chair Elect,
Christine Guyott, FCSI, RD are ready and dedicated. They are the young guns with the experience and enthusiasm that FCSI The Americas needs. Plus, we have the best staff in the world - Wade, Kimberly, Penny and Sydney strive constantly to deliver the best for all our members.
It’s True, FCSI The Americas is indeed ready for the future. I am proud and honored to have had a small part the last few years as we have grown in members and seen our reputation rise to the highest level in our industry.
Today, The Americas Division of FCSI stands for “
Excellence in Food Service Design and Management Consulting to the Hospitality World” and that my friends
IS TRUE.
My best to each of you. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
James
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Curt Benson of Food Warming Equipment/FWE and a friend of FCSI The Americas passed away on November 29th at his home with his family by his side.
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We are sad to announce that a longtime friend of FCSI, Rod Collins, passed away on December 11, 2019. Rod was a National Sales Manager with Stero Warewashing and a strong Manufacturer's Representative in the San Francisco Bay area for many years.
For over a decade, Rod sponsored consultant training seminars and was one of the founders of the Foodservice Design Bootcamp that many FCSI members have attended. Rod was truly dedicated to the education of the consultant community and was a big supporter of FCSI and he will be missed within the food service industry.
A full obituary was not available before the publishing of this newsletter.
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Help Wanted
Did you know FCSI members have access to industry job postings specifically targeted to FCSI Consultant Members? You can view the jobs page on the FCSI website
here. Check back frequently for updates!
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Associate
Pamela Barnhill
Strategic Growth Advisory
Jessica Gates
Real Food Consulting
Thomas Goodwin
NGAssociates
Bradley Tyler
Real Food Consulting
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Are you using #myfcsi on your Social posts?
If you use the hashtag, you could win a $25 Visa gift card! Just post at least once a month using
#myfcsi
and you will be entered to win the gift card at the end of the month.
Winners are not eligible to win again but will be entered into the drawing to win the grand prize at the 2020 Conference in Austin, TX.
Be sure to use
#myfcsi
today!
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Save the Date
April 30-May 2, 2020
May 16-19, 2020
McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
Camacho's Annual Golf Tournament
June 8, 2020
Bear's Best Atlanta,
Suwanee, GA
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Log Your 2019 CEUs
Please take a moment to log your CEUs for 2019. Associates need to earn 3 CEUs annually, Senior Associates need to earn 6 CEUs and Professional Members need to earn 12 CEUs. Visit the FCSI
Calendar
for current programs.
One of the things that sets FCSI consultants apart from other consultants is that FCSI consultants engage in lifelong professional development to better themselves and their industry knowledge. Even though FCSI membership is contingent on earning CEUs annually, this commitment indicates to clients and industry professionals that FCSI members stay current on their skills as well as foodservice equipment, products and industry trends.
Contact
Penny if you have questions about your journal or logging CEUs.
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Renew Your Membership Today
It's that time of year again! 2020 renewal statements have been sent via email - be sure to check your inbox and renew today!
If you didn't receive your statement, please contact
Penny
to ensure that we have your current contact information, or, access your profile
here
to pay your 2020 dues and update your profile!
For questions regarding your membership or renewal statement, contact
Penny.
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Austin Conference 2020
Don't miss any of the fun at Camp FCSI! Enjoy the great outdoors and learn some "survival skills" during the educational sessions! We hope to see you there!
Registration is OPEN! Register today, check out the new Conference website, and reserve your bunk!
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Thank you to our Camp Sponsors to date
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If you would like to become a Camp Sponsor, fill out the
sponsorship form
and return it to
Wade Koehler
! Commit to being a sponsor now to start taking advantage of the benefits. We will invoice you on January 1st.
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FCSI Educational Foundation
Ed Norman, FFCSI (PP), the FCSI Educational Foundation President, encourages members to consider donating to the Foundation to help them reach their 2019-2020 goal of $200,000. Keep in mind all donations are 100% deductible due to the Foundation's 501 c3 non-profit status.
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Start the new year with new gear!
Stock up on FCSI The Americas attire for the new year and show up in style at the upcoming Conference in Austin!
Order your gear now and 15% of your sale will come back to FCSI The Americas Division.
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Want to share your expertise with the Foodservice Industry?
Consider being a part of FCSI The Americas Foodservice Consultants Experts Network. The network is intended to be a research tool to search for Independent Foodservice Consultants who wish to spread their knowledge in the Foodservice and Hospitality Industry.
Consultants can be searched by location, areas of expertise, market segments, or experience. For more information or a list of contacts, visit the
Experts Network webpage. To be included in the network, contact
Sydney.
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Consultants Contributing Corner
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Want to share your stories, projects, or insight? Headquarters is always happy to feature articles from Consultant Members in the monthly E-Newsletter, The Direct Connection!
We encourage Consultants to take some time and share experiences with the membership. No idea or topic is too silly!
If you would like to have an article featured in the Direct Connection, submit it to
Sydney
by the 23rd of each month.
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Compass Restaurant Consulting & Research
Compass Restaurant Consulting & Research (Compass RCR) publishes a monthly pulse report on the Restaurant Industry. The information in this Business Summary is derived from Compass RCR’s monthly reports, the National Restaurant Association Research Department, and Black Box Intelligence.
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We know you're hungry for information but we also know you're busy! Who has time to sit down for a full serving of foodservice news? Get a taste of our new Tapas Edition of the Serving Up Solution Video Series.
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Northeast Chapter Donates $32,500
The Northeast Chapter of FCSI The Americas celebrated their 16
th annual Holiday Social on December 5, 2019 in Boston, marking the occasion with donations totaling $32,500.00.
Massachusetts non-profit,
Community Servings was the event’s donor partner and recipient of $27,500.00. Their food and nutrition program provide medically tailored and nutritious meals throughout Massachusetts to individuals and families who are living with critical and chronic illnesses. This year they will be providing 650,000 meals to 2,300 critically ill individuals and their families. Their goal is to provide the same level of service throughout New England.
In addition, the Northeast Chapter will be presenting a donation of $5,000 to FCSI’s Educational Foundation; an organization that is committed to working with our FCSI members to secure the future of the foodservice consulting industry through nurturing the next generation of professional foodservice consultants.
Both donations made possible through the loyal and generous support of the event’s attendees and sponsors.
Platinum sponsors: E3Commerical Kitchen Solutions/4Top Hospitality, C.R. Peterson + Associates, Viola Group, and American Panel Corporation.
Gold
sponsors: Continental Refrigerator, AccuTemp, Dave Swain Associates, Vulcan, GMV Sales, Kittredge Equipment Co., Halton Company, True Manufacturing, Hobart, and Welbit.
Silver
sponsors: BSI Designs, Wyllie Marketing, Infrico, Ricca Design, Multiteria, and Jackson.
Bronze sponsors: Dormont Mfg., Equipex, Scotsman, Perlick, Unified Brands, Structural Concepts, and Butkevich Associates.
This annual event is one of two large charity fundraisers organized by the Northeast Chapter. For more information, please contact Northeast Chapter Secretary,
Michele McDonald at (781) 826-5522.
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Pictured left to right:
From left: Tom McArdle, FCSI, FCSI TA Northeast Chapter Treasurer, Ed Arons, FCSI, FCSI TA Northeast Chapter Leader, Kevin Conner, Director of Foodservice Community Servings, and Michele McDonald FCSI TA Northeast Chapter Secretary
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Canadian Holiday Walkabout 2019
St. George's Golf and Country Club, Toronto was the scene of the Canadian Chapter's Annual Christmas Holiday Walkabout.
Consultants, manufacturers, representatives, and spouses mingled and enjoyed the holiday merriment. A lively and aggressive silent auction brought out the pocketbooks, probably effecting our Chairman, John Radchenko, FCSI (PP) the most!
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ATTENTION SOUTHWEST & PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAPTERS
Are you looking for opportunities to become involved in FCSI The Americas?
Consider leading your chapter in 2020! This is a great opportunity to be a catalyst in helping FCSI members network regionally. You will grow as a leader while having support from Headquarters and other volunteers in your chapter. Contact us now if you are interested in strengthening your leadership skills while making real connections in the foodservice industry.
A new leader will be elected before the
FCSI TA Conference
in Austin taking place April 30 - May 2, 2020.
Questions about Chapter Leader responsibilities? Contact
Penny Price
for more information about the position.
Ready to be a Chapter Leader? Email
Penny
to nominate yourself or other members of FCSI (Consultant & Allied Members are eligible for nominations).
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"Who Loves Ya" Golf Tournament
Ladies and Gentlemen, save the date for next year's
"Who Loves Ya" golf tournament hosted by Camacho Associates! The outing will take place on June 8, 2020 at
Bear's Best Atlanta in Suwanee, GA. More details coming soon.
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NRA Show
Attend the
National Restaurant Association Show on May 16-19, 2020 in Chicago, IL at the McCormick Place. Explore what's happening in the hospitality industry regarding new trends and technology and see the new features the NRA Show has to offer for attendees this year.
You won't want to miss it!
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NAFEM Advocacy Update
NAFEM publishes Advocacy Update monthly to keep members up-to-date on pending legislative, regulatory and technological issues potentially impacting the smallwares, middleware and hot- and cold-sides of the commercial foodservice equipment industry. For more information, visit the
Advocacy
section of
www.NAFEM.org
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