Thank You to Our Direct Connection Sponsors! |
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IN THIS ISSUE
FCSI On Tap
Conference 2022
BizEssentials Webinars
Chapter News
Membership News
Industry News
Quick Links
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Together Again
FCSI Montreal April 21-23, 2022
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As we close out 2021, it is good to reflect on the past year and all of the challenges, opportunities, and successes that were encountered. 2021 again proved to be a year like no other as we faced the continued pandemic, unprecedented supply chain issues, and inflation at a rate that most of us have never experienced. Despite these challenges, it was also a year where we saw new projects come roaring back, delayed projects restart, and an overall healthy time for the consulting industry. It is also very reassuring to see our in-person events slowly making a return, including our first in person board meeting in almost two years. I am very optimistic moving forward into 2022 with the exciting initiatives and events planned for our division. Our conference that is planned for April in Montreal is in the final planning stages and I encourage all members to consider attending the conference and start making your plans early.
To close out our last Direct Connection of the year, I would like to take the opportunity to wish all of you and your families a happy, safe, and healthy Holiday Season. May you all enjoy some quality time with your loved ones and a nice break from the daily grind.
On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, we look forward to serving and working with you all in 2022. Cheers!
--Eric Norman, FCSI
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On Tap Season Three
Premieres January 3!
On Tap presented by FCSI The Americas returns for its new season in January. This season's guests include many longtime FCSI members and a few surprise guests!
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This season's guests include |
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FCSI TA Conference Montreal
April 21-23, 2022
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We're looking forward to the 2022 Conference in Montreal, Quebec!
Updates on the program and speakers, registration, and hotels are available on the conference website.
Apply for or update your passport now to be ready for April. Currently, Canada is only allowing fully vaccinated visitors to enter the country.
Registration opens in January! Check the conference website for registration rates and a link to the online form.
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Cheers to a New Year!
Wednesday, January 19 @ 3:00 pm ET
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To wish you a Happy New Year, we are going to kick off 2022 with a Happy Hour! We haven’t had a group discussion for a long time so let’s talk about 2022 together. What’s going on in the industry? What are you goals for the new year?
We also have a very special treat during the hour. Ryan Norman, whiskey connoisseur, will join us to demonstrate how to make a Canadian cocktail to celebrate our Montreal conference coming in April. You will receive a list of ingredients ahead of the event so you can stock up and enjoy the fun!
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We had some terrific speakers this year in the Biz Essentials Series. Check out these highlights!
Your Nerdy Best Friend Beth Z. recently shared this list of 20 helpful sites on a variety of topics. Her tips for 2021 are useful, too!
Cini-Little CEO Kathleen Held shared her expertise on reading and responding to the RFP.
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Latin American Chapter December Event |
This month the Latin American Chapter of FCSI The Americas held its first meeting since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was held in the Notie Restaurant in downtown São Paulo. The menu was a modern vision of Northeast Brazilian food, playing with textures, flavors colors and combinations.
According to Marco Amatti, FCSI, "[It] was amazing seeing “personally” again after long time just “zoomeetings”. Jokes . . . laughs, stories and other gossip with friendship remind us of the pleasure of being together again." Attendees included Marco Amatti, FCSI, Chef Bianca, Diris Farias, FCSI, Nelson Ferraz Cury (Topema), Sergio Frota, Flavio Guersola, José Lopes, Milton Machado (Pratica), Sergio Martinez (Netter), Emmanuel Melo, FCSI, Armando Pucci, FCSI, Raoni Saade, FCSI, Erlise Tancredi, and João Victor Cury (Topema).
The chapter thanks Allied members Netter, Pratica and Topema for making the lunchtime, food, ambience, and friendship with sparkling wine possible.
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Senior Association Member
Congratulations to
Stephanie Herrett, Cini-Little,
who is approved for Senior Associate status and entered the Professional Membership process!
Associate Members
Herve Laurent - HL Foodservice Consulting
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In Memory -- Ronald Martin Kochman |
Ronald Martin Kochman, 85, of Morton Grove, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, November 28, 2021.
Intrigued by technology, Ron brought computer-aided design (CAD) to the foodservice industry in the 1980s, revolutionizing the industry. Supportive husband of 56 years to Judy (nee Schiffman), loving father of Kevin (Eve) Kochman and Kim (Brad) Moldofsky. Grandfather of Jack, Maggie, and April Kochman and Isaac (of blessed memory) and Ethan Moldofsky. Caring uncle of Cary (Tara) and Michael Kochman, James (Kim) and Reena Schiffman, Penny (Joel) Schiffman Field, and the late Sari (the late Phil) Beatty. Great uncle of Gordon, Tyler, Ryan, and Dylan Kochman; Samantha (Max) Joseph; Emily and Zachary Schiffman; Alexis and Ashley Fritkin; Rachel (Mike) Haug; and Amy and Josh Field. Also preceded in death by parents Harry Sizer Kochman and Eve Catherine Kochman (nee Levin), brother Robert (Rose-Marie) Kochman, and brother-in-law Merrill (Sandy) Schiffman.
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Renew your FCSI TA membership TODAY to ensure that you continue to receive all the benefits of membership.
Renewing is easy! You should have received an email with a link to renew online. Click the link and follow the prompts to process your credit card payment.
Didn’t receive the email? You can log in to your member profile to access the invoice and make an online payment.
Forgot your username and password? No worries, contact Penny for assistance at penny@fcsi.org or 309.808.2165 ext 3.
Today is the last day for consultants to be entered to win cool prizes!
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Want to Get More Involved with FCSI The Americas? Volunteer! |
Volunteering gives you an opportunity to get to know other consultants and allied members, and contribute to the work of your association.
There are many ways to get involved with FCSI The Americas. Let Penny, Amy, or Wade know you're ready to get involved and we'll help you find a committee or task force that best fits your interests and schedule! |
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Time's running out but you can still log CEUs for 2021.
Already met your 2021 CEU requirement? Get an early start on your CEU credits for 2022.
Professional Members need 12 CUEs annually, Senior Associates need 6, and Associates need 3.
Instructions for logging CEUs in your journal:
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National Restaurant Show 2022 |
The National Restaurant Show is scheduled for May 21-24, 2022 at McCormick Place, Chicago. Registration is now available for attendees and exhibitors.
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Foodservice Consultant Needs Your Help!
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Calling all Professional Members! In order to ensure that we continue to serve you with what you need most from our print and digital offerings, we would greatly appreciate it if you took five minutes to complete this feedback survey.
It is vital for us to understand your requirements and what you tell us here will help make sure that we offer all Professional Members the best possible service.
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Compass Consulting Industry Report |
This month's consumer sentiment report shows that inflation is having an impact on consumers. Twenty-five percent of consumers plan to cut back on holiday spending. Operators report that staffing problems eased in November and product shortages were not as severe. View the entire report.
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Want to share your stories, projects, or insight? |
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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.
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