Thank You to Our Direct Connection Sponsors!
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IN THIS ISSUE
FCSI Webinar Series
Project Showcase
Upcoming CEU Opportunities
FCSI Experts Network
Membership News
Industry News
Quick Links
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Connections and Education Are Still Our Focus
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When I took over as Chair of FCSI The Americas Division at the beginning of this year, one of the main things I was greatly looking forward to was the chance to connect with all of our divisional members at trade shows, FCSI conferences/meetings, and other industry wide events. Unfortunately, as we all know, face to face interaction and events of all sizes are not going to happen in the foreseeable future. It was a very tough decision and extremely disappointing to have to cancel next month's FCSI Conference in Austin, TX. No matter how difficult the decision was, we as the FCSI The Americas Board know we made the right one to keep all of our members safe and out of harm's way. As of right now, it looks like the next chance for our division to connect again in person will not happen until August of 2021 at the FCSI Symposium leading up to the NAFEM trade show.
Even though our face-to-face interactions with each other have been limited, I want to assure you that the FCSI TA Board and Staff have been hard at work keeping the Society moving forward. The following are just a few initiatives being worked on in the background to continue to improve the member benefits of our association.
- Updates to the Professional Membership Process are being reviewed and implemented to ensure the PMP properly serves our membership and expertise.
- The Code of Ethics Task Force is continuing their work to do a full review and provide recommendations to bring our Code of Ethics up to date.
- The establishment and development of the Public Relations Committee and addition of Dustin McKisson to bolster the ability of members to utilize public relations advice and connections to reach a wider audience.
- Direct digital marketing of FCSI TA through Feathr to further establish the FCSI TA brand.
- Production and distribution of an FCSI webinar series with topics such as Media Training, Video Marketing, Building Relationships, Maximizing Linked-In, and Alternative Revenue Sources, to name a few. This series is currently in production--stay tuned for launch details.
Although our in-person connections have been dampened, I still want to do my best to serve the members of The Americas Division. Please feel free to reach out to me with any ideas, thoughts, concerns or simply to connect. I am hopeful that you are all staying safe and healthy!
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Keep an eye out for the first webinar in the Biz Essentials series on August 12. This month's topic will be "Connect and Compete in a Virtual World." Biz Essentials webinars earn 1 CEU credit per event.
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Project Showcase Submissions Due August 7
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All current FCSI — The Americas Division members are eligible to enter. Both Design and MAS consultants may submit one entry of any foodservice facility project completed between June 2019 and May 2020. Entries must be made by August 7. There is no fee to submit.
A committee of distinguished FCSI professionals and other foodservice experts will select a limited number of projects to be included. The special issue will be distributed in March 2021 to all FCSI members along with a curated list of operators, consultants, designers, architects and contractors from FE&S and rd+d.
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Upcoming CEU Opportunities
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Continuing Education Credits
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FCSI consultant members engage in lifelong development to maintain and improve knowledge and skills for competent consulting. A commitment to continuing education is one of the things that sets FCSI consultant members apart from other foodservice consultants, which is why earning continuing education credits is a condition of membership.
Don't forget to track and log your CEUs for 2020!
Even though many conferences and tradeshows have been canceled due to COVID-19, there are still several ways to earn CEUs this year. Thanks to our Allied members it is easier than ever to earn CEUs through the FCSI Education Provider Program. Be sure to check out the
calendar of upcoming live and on-demand webinars
.
Remember
Professional members must earn 12 CEUs annually
Senior Associates must earn 6 CEUs annually
Associate Members must earn 3 CEUs annually
You can track your own CEU credits by logging into your
member profile
. We're also here to help--contact
Penny
if you have questions about CEUs.
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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.
Recent Expert Post
Arlene Spiegel, Arlene Spiegel & Associates
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
.
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Corporate Members
Affiliate Member
Will Morris, SoCalGas
Student Member
Freddy Pina, Lehman College
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It is with great sadness that we report that Steve Waltz passed away Sunday, July 26, 2020.
Steve was a Senior Project Manager at Cini Little and had been with the company since 2006. He was a Professional Member of FCSI and served on the Board of The Americas Division. FCSI extends heartfelt condolences to Steve’s family and his colleagues at Cini Little.
An obituary was not available at this time.
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Northeast Chapter Leader Needed
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The Northeast Chapter is still in need of a member to volunteer as Chapter Leader.
If you are interested in becoming more involved with FCSI and want to contribute to leadership within your professional association, consider nominating yourself to lead the NE Chapter through 2021! Chapter Leader responsibilities include organizing at least one annual event (networking reception, education program, social event, etc.), serving as a resource to other foodservice professionals in your region, and reporting to HQ on foodservice events, trends, and changes in codes/regulations in your region.
The NE Chapter includes ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, PA, and Washington DC.
If you would like to nominate yourself or a member of FCSI you think would be interested in chapter leadership, please contact
penny@fcsi.org
.
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FCSI Canadian Chapter Update
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There were times when we wrote these updates that we could have said "business as usual," but that is definitely not the case this year. Our lives and the business world have been turned upside down. Moving forward, the COVID‐19 pandemic will certainly initiate and produce many changes, new creative ideas and a different work ethos. Zoom, Skype, and Go‐to‐Meetings are now the norm.
Our Scholarship Dinner event at Humber College slated for September 24th is still on the books, so please continue to hold that date for FCSI. If there are changes we will send the necessary notification. St. Georges Christmas Walkabout is booked for December 3 and our current plans are to proceed with this fabulous mingling and silent auction evening which this year may include many Santa beard/ masks.
Our FCSI advertising are on target for 2020 with three advertisements to be placed in the Canadian Architect Magazine. This will also be the third year of a Humber Scholarship in its final committed year.
The FCSI Canadian Chapter is proud to be a part of The Foodservice Industry ‐ We share, We support, We inspire.
Respectfully,
John Radchenko FCSI PP
Chair Canadian Chapter
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The 2020 Equipotel Show, originally scheduled for October 2020, has been postponed to fall 2021. The decision to cancel the show was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The show was rescheduled for September 14 to 17, 2021 at São Paulo Expo.
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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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