Huge Thank You to our Sponsors!
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Sponsor Spotlight
Component Hardware® delights customers by improving their business with our innovative designs, custom assemblies and 5,000+ catalog products representing our broad global manufacturing capabilities. Component Hardware is a global market leader of innovative design solutions and manufacturer of industrial components and assemblies in food service, healthcare, construction, commercial services and institutions. Our customers rely on us to provide casting, forging, stamping, machining, injection molding, extruding, fabrication and custom sub-assembly solutions. Our 38 years of mastering our craft, and our revolutionary solutions, along with our extensive global supply chain partnerships, enhance our customers’ businesses with the latest industry standards and innovation. We save our customers valuable time as a comprehensive supplier, leaving them free to focus on their businesses instead of multiple supplier transactions. Our three flagship brands are Keil® in refrigeration, Flame Gard® for grease filters and cooking hood accessories, and Encore® for plumbing hardware. Visit our website
www.componenthardware.com
.
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In This Issue:
- CAMP FCSI
- New Members
- WC & P New Structure
- FE&S 2020 Awards
- #myfcsi
- Membership Renewal
- CEU Central
- FCSI Store
- Consultant Contributing Corner
Save the Date
Quick Links
Serving Up Solutions - Tapas Edition
Chapter Corner
- Canadian Chapter Scholarship Winner
- "Who Loves Ya" Golf Tournament
Industry News
- HX Call for Speakers
- Electrolux Professional New Brand
- Electrification 2020 Conference
- NRA Show
- NAFEM Update
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Here in the Midwest, after the excitement of the holidays and new year wanes, we are always looking for the next big thing to take our mind off the cold and snow. Our minds wander to vacations, March Madness and Spring warmth. This year we have the perfect distraction to dream of….Camp FCSI in Austin, Texas.
What better place than around a campfire to meet up with our FCSI friends to catch up on what is going on in the industry and to learn from our speakers and our colleagues. I truly have learned more about the varied world of foodservice consulting through conversations at committees, board meetings and conferences while talking to other members. How does it work differently if you are small or large firm? What better processes can we learn to take back to our own practices and be more efficient? More creative? (
Session: Innovation Showcase
) What can we tell our clients about what trends are coming up? (
Session: Future of Food, Automation and Robotics
). There are nuggets both in the meeting rooms and outside of them that we can all use to make our clients, our firms and our employees more successful.

And yes, the financial stressors of tax time are also almost upon us. Many of us finished up a solid 2019 year in revenue and I haven’t heard any consultants wanting for more work, most are running over 100% and can barely keep up. Will 2020 be the same? With the upcoming elections and economic uncertainty that brings, will we continue strong throughout the year? While I don’t have a crystal ball, there are no signs of slowing down and in the past those with the most diversity in their practice will continue to ride the waves of segments that tend to drop with economic fluctuations. The Architecture Billings Index for the past 12 months show January 2020 ticking up in the institutional and commercial/industry scores. It states that “demand for design services increased across all building sectors last month”.
ARCAT.com
With increased demand and a busy schedule already, many of us will need to continue to think about how to do more with less. Labor is not easy to find and takes a long time to train. Retention and culture will be key for all of us to cultivate as we see more retirements amongst consultants and higher demand for our work. (
Session: Recruiting and Retaining Employees, Help Wanted and Strategic Planning
).
There are so many great reasons to meet up in Austin at Camp FCSI on April 30- May 2, but my favorite will always be meeting my colleagues around the campfire to share stories and maybe a s’more or two. We here in Minnesota are dreaming of Austin and that “up north” campfire with our FCSI friends.

Christine Guyott, FCSI
Chair Elect - FCSI The Americas
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REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!
CAMP FCSI is more than just a camp, it's an adventure!
Campers will be able to network under the stars, dance the night away, and create memories that'll last a lifetime with new and old friends
The FCSI TA Board and the Conference Planning Committee (and animated Penny & Wade), can't wait to see you!
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Due to overwhelming response, there are no more rooms available at the special FCSI rate.
Forgot to book or still need a room? Don't panic! Please contact the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines directly to book at their regular rate. Or, check availability at the nearby hotels we have listed below.
Please note there are no FCSI room blocks at these alternate hotels and transportation to and from the host hotel will be the responsibility of the attendee.
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(9.9 miles / 16 minutes from Lost Pines Resort)
(11.4 miles / 18 minutes from Lost Pines Resort)
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(11.5 miles / 19 minutes from Lost Pines Resort)
(11.5 miles / 18 minutes from Lost Pines Resort)
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Thank you to our First-Time Attendee Grant Sponsors To Date
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Associate Member
Coleman Counihan
Counihan and Associates, LLC
Melissa Counihan
Counihan and Associates, LLC
Alyssa Feliz
SSA, Inc.
Bryan Sherburn
NG-Associates
Taylor Starlin
SSA, Inc.
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Congratulations to the following members pursing Professional Membership!

Kai Deering
Stewart Design Associates
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WILLIAM CARUSO & PARTNERS EXCITED FOR NEW STRUCTURE
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Congratulations to William Caruso, FFCSI (PP), on his semi-retirement after 48 years of service. Congratulations also to Stephen Young and Michael Caruso as they transition into a new structure at William Caruso and Partners, LLC. We wish Bill and his team continued success.
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FOODSERVICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES HONORS FCSI MEMBERS
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Congratulations to the following FCSI Members who received high praises and honors from FE&S Magazine:
Scott Reitano, FCSI, Reitano Design Group
2020 Top Achiever - Consultant
Harry Schildkraut, FCSI, S2O Consultants
2020 Hall of Fame Award
Congratulations Scott and Harry! FCSI is proud of you and your outstanding achievements!
Awards will be given out on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at the FE&S 2020 Dealer of the Year and Industry Awards Gala at the Chicago Four Seasons.
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RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!
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If you have not yet renewed your membership for 2020, please submit your payment ASAP to avoid suspension of benefits!
Several reminders have been sent via email - If you have not received 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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#MYFCSI CAMPAIGN
ENDING SOON!
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There are only a few months left to use
#myfcsi for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Winner of the random drawing in February, March, or April will be entered into the grand prize drawing at the Austin Conference in May!
Be sure to use
#myfcsi
today!
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Stock up on FCSI The Americas attire for the new year and show up in style at the upcoming Conference in Austin!
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MEMBERSHIP PINS AVAILABLE
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Members, do you want to show off your commitment to FCSI? Pins are now available to promote the number of years you have been an FCSI Member (5 year increments). These pins are free of charge and are available upon request. Place your order
here and allow 3-4 weeks for processing.
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Welcome to CEU Central where you can log your CEUs, view upcoming events, webinars, and set date events.
Visit the FCSI
Calendar
for current programs.
Contact
Wade
if you have questions about your journal or logging CEUs.
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Save the Date
April 6-9, 2020
Charlotte, NC
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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Though many foodservice consultants aren’t responsible for them, it is very important to understand how the fit in the big picture.
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CANADIAN CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
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Each year the Canadian Chapter offers a scholarship to college students at Humber College. This year's recipient of the FCSI Award was Eric Appah from Architectural Technology course. Congratulations, Eric, and thank you to the Canadian Chapter for your support of emerging Consultants!
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"WHO LOVES YA" GOLF TOURNAMENT
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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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HX 2020 CALL FOR SPEAKERS
HX includes a two-day conference for hospitality owners, asset managers, GMs and executive teams of hotels, resorts, restaurants and casinos. In addition to the conference, the expo will feature educational sessions that take place on stage on the trade show floor. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be a vital part of the show.
Submit Your Proposal
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ELECTRIFICIATION 2020
Attend the
Electrification 2020 Conference in Charlotte, NC on April 6-9 to learn about enhancing efficiencies and benefitting the environment within the framework of decarbonization and global sustainability.
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ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL NEW BRAND
Electrolux Professional
has officially launched the new Electrolux Professional brand. The new brand identity is still recognizable but has a clearer positioning to create an improved orientation for customers. It also demonstrates that Electrolux Professional is the
OnE global business partner
for the hospitality and laundry industry.
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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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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
Wade
by the 23rd of each month!
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