Thank You to Our Direct Connection Sponsors! |
|
|
KCL BIM/CAD Designer:
The Ultimate Tool for Foodservice Consultants
|
KCL BIM/CAD Designer: The Ultimate Tool for Foodservice Consultants
KCL will unveil a fresh look and a new website on October 1, but the brand promise remains unchanged:
Foodservice design. Simplified.
With more than 130,000 models from over 230 foodservice manufacturers, the KCL BIM/CAD Designer is the leading choice for FCSI consultants. KCL’s CAD and Revit tools provide unparalleled efficiency.
Time-saving features include:
- Revit to 3D CAD conversion
- Custom Block programs to quickly create 2D/3D CAD as well as 3D Revit items, and
- KCL NapkinSketch to create kitchen layouts without a CAD or Revit program
And KCL’s generous license means that your entire team has access to the full suite of design tools for one low price.
Download KCL’s free app, KCL Mobile, from your app store.
|
|
|
|
IN THIS ISSUE
BizEssentials Series
FCSI Experts Network
Upcoming CEU Opportunities
Membership News
Industry News
Quick Links
|
|
This month marks the first month of my 11th year serving as FCSI The Americas Executive Director and my company, Forte AMC, serving as the full-service management company. It’s been so much fun this far and I’m excited to see what we accomplish together over the next 10 years.
When we first took over shortly after the Minneapolis conference, FCSI TA was is in rough shape. The finances were ruined by the previous management company and the Board was struggling with outdated policies and procedures. The Board chair at the time, Ed Norman, and I talked every day via Skype and tried to talk to every member we could get in touch with to find out what they wanted FCSI to look like. Thanks to Ed’s leadership and a great Board of Trustees willing to review everything and do the work collaboratively, we fixed the problems and have brought the association to the very strong position that it enjoys today. To highlight some of the changes, here are some numbers to consider:
|
As you can see, The Americas Division is doing great. Of course, we can always do better. Thank you to all of the Board members who have served the Division over the past decade. I greatly appreciate all the hard work and dedication they put into making your association what it is today. It takes great volunteers and a lot of hard work to run an association successfully; however, as many of them will attest, the benefits of serving their professional association far exceeded the volunteer hours.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with so many of you over the years. Being a kid from a small town in Illinois, I never dreamed that I would be lucky enough to see the world and work with such a diverse group of professionals. We’ve accomplished a lot together.
So, what’s next for us? YOU tell me. What do you want your association to look like? What do you want your association to represent? What do you love about FCSI? What do you want to see improve? Penny, Amy and myself are so honored to serve this membership. We are always open to all communication. We WANT to hear from you. It’s YOUR association so let’s work together to keep improving and building on what we have built so far.
Forte AMC (Penny, Amy and myself) look forward to continuing to serve FCSI The Americas and its members into the next decade and beyond.
-- Wade Koehler, CAE
|
|
BizEssentials Webinar Series |
|
Put the Power in Your Next Virtual Presentation
October 14 @ 3:00 pm ET
|
Learn to take advantage of rapid visual storytelling and micro moments, how to design for attention and wow your audience, and more effectively lead team meetings, webinars and more. This is the second in our series of webinars with Debra Jasper, CEO & Founder, Mindset Digital.
We heard great things from FCSI members after our first webinar with Debra:
FCSI Consultant Member: “Debra...enlightening!...it's like learning a new language at an advanced age...we are so excited about the possibilities. How will we
integrate Linked-in with our Zoom meetings?”
FCSI Corporate Member: “Hey Debra I just watched your FCSI webinar and like
the 3 fast fixes. I'm taking you up on that recommendation to link up.
Register now to join us for the next event!
|
|
|
|
|
|
On demand versions of the August and September webinars are available online.
|
|
|
|
Sponsor an Upcoming Webinar |
Are you interested in sponsoring a future webinar? Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Sponsorship includes:
- intro (first 3 minutes) or closing (last 3 minutes) sponsor spotlight that can be live or recorded
- company logo on webinar title slide
- company logo on all promotional materials (email and social media) for the program you sponsor and its on demand recordings
- list of participants post-webinar
|
|
|
|
Initiative Created to Feed Families in El Salvador |
FCSI The Americas member Juan Metamoros FCSI has started a volunteer network to help families in El Salvador who lost jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his blog post for Foodservice Consultant Juan describes the situation outside his hometown:
"When you drive outside of the capital, you can actually see people by the side of the road waving white flags asking for food. Because of this terrible situation, with a group of friends, we started bringing food and basic necessities to families with children about two months ago."
Currently the group is reaching approximately 50 families each week in the rural community of Talnique. The goal is to expand resources to help at least 1,500 families with this campaign. The volunteers will also help rebuild more than 50 homes that were also devastated by recent harsh weather.
Please consider helping Juan and his colleagues to make a difference for the people of El Salvador by donating via this GoFundMe account. Every donation helps -- your contribution of just $10 USD can feed a family of four for one week.
|
|
|
|
Southeast Chapter Event
October 22 from 10 am to 3 pm
Low Temp Industries, Jonesboro, GA
The Educational focus will be on safe food service procedures for K-12 as students return to school during the pandemic.
More details coming soon!
|
|
|
|
Associate
Carlos Arreola, Cini-Little International
Alessandro Crocco, In Format Ltd
Ashley Gaines, Foodesign Associates
Daniel Kwon, Cini-Little International
Vernon Sanford, Foodservice Design Professionals
Eva Sigurdardottir, Kaizen Foodservice Planning and Design
Corporate
|
|
|
|
Don't Forget to Log 2020 CEUs |
There's still plenty of time to earn and record your required CEUs. Please note the annual requirements for each membership category:
Professional - 12 CEUs
Senior Associate - 6 CEUs
Associate - 3 CEUs
|
In addition to the BizEssentials series there are many on demand and scheduled events available to consultants through the FCSI event calendar.
Once you have logged all required CEUs - don't stop! Professional Members can roll forward up to 6 CEUs to 2021, Senior Associates can roll forward up to 3, and Associate Members can roll forward 1 CEU. Continue learning to continue earning!
|
|
|
|
FCSI Signs Letter in Support of the PPP Small Business Enhancement Act
|
FCSI The Americas joined the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) in supporting the Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Act (HR 7894).
The bi-partisan bill would provide critical help for the small businesses and organizations which continue to face unprecedented challenges as they fight to survive and recover from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. If enacted, the Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Act would:
- Provide businesses that have experienced a reduction in gross receipts of more than 20% as compared to last year with the opportunity to apply for a second Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan
- Allow 501(c)(6) nonprofits, like local chambers and trade associations, to receive PPP loans for the first time
- Permit business to use PPP loan funds on protective equipment and COVID-19 testing expenses
- Allow businesses to receive their regular tax deductions for eligible expenses paid with PPP loan funds
- Allow automatic forgiveness for loans under $150,000 while maintaining the ability of SBA to audit those loans for compliance
FCSI The Americas will continue to follow the progress of PPP legislation in both the House and Senate.
|
|
|
|
FCSI The Americas Monthly Happy Hour |
We know you've missed seeing each other with all the event cancellations this year. Bring your curiosity and knowledge to the party on the fourth Wednesday of each month for an interactive discussion.
We'll have a few topics to discuss, but we want you to lead the conversation. Submit your questions or comments to Wade at headquarters by email at wade@fcsi.org.
The next FCSI The Americas Happy Hour will be October 28 at 4 PM Central Time.
|
|
|
|
In Memory: Harmon S. Lewis |
Harmon S. Lewis passed away on Monday, September 1, 2020. Harmon, age 72, was an invaluable member of the American Panel team for 42 years. He served faithfully in various leadership roles, first as Production Manager, then Vice President of Operations and lastly as Executive Vice President.
Everyone knew Harmon as a kind and gentle man with a brilliant mind. His engineering background, great memory and superior attention to detail served him well throughout the years. He was a friend and mentor to every member of the American Panel team and an invaluable resource to business partners within the Foodservice Distribution Channel. He will be truly missed by all, but never forgotten.
Harmon’s obituary and more information on his meaningful life can be found here.
|
|
|
|
FCSI The Americas’ Experts Network is the foremost source for thought leadership regarding the present and future of the foodservice industry. Our network of experts regularly submits opinion pieces on important issues impacting foodservice and the millions of jobs and people who depend on it, as well as serving as quotable sources for both industry and mass media articles on the foodservice industry. Recent appearances by members are added to the FCSI Experts Network website regularly.
If you are an FCSI member and have any questions or would like to be included in this exclusive network, please contact FCSI TA’s Director of Administration, Amy Stark at amy@fcsi.org.
|
|
|
|
AJC Foodservice and Hospitality Division to Host Remembrance |
The Foodservice and Hospitality Division of the American Jewish Committee will honor those foodservice professionals who have passed due to COVID-19 with a virtual memorial service that will take place on October 14, 2020. Those to be honored include:
|
|
|
|
HX: The Hotel Experience Cancelled |
The 2020 HX: The Hotel Experience Powered by AAHOA has been cancelled. The decision was made based on current restrictions on congregating and large gatherings and travel restrictions into the New York City area. The next HX: The Hotel Experience event is scheduled for November 14-15, 2021 in New York City. |
|
|
|
Datassentials Releases its 34th COVID-19 Report |
Report 34: Back in the Game was released by in mid-September by Chicago-based Datassentials, a leading market research firm dedicated to the food industry. All of the COVID-19 reports are available for free on their website at https://datassential.com/coronavirus/. |
|
|
|
Want to share your stories, projects, or insight? |
|
Headquarters is always happy to feature articles from Consultant Members in 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 Amy by the 23rd of each month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
