MARCH 2024

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From The Board

Ready for Austin?


This year 2024 is moving at a very fast pace. I hope the first quarter has ended for you and your organizations with the best results.


It is important to remind you that our next consultants' event is just around the corner. From April 11th to 14th, we will immerse ourselves in our Biennial Conference at Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas. It's time to share knowledge, experiences, and establish valuable connections that strengthen our FCSI consultant network.


It will be a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow together, as well as have fun and enjoy good times. Thanks to all our sponsors as well as the planning committee for their unwavering support for our event, we know it will be a total success thanks to everyone.


There are still spaces available for Friday afternoon's activity, Crafts and Drafts. This arts and crafts session will be a little different than you remember from your summer camp days! Create a fun craft while enjoying the sunshine, fellow campers, and local beers. Enjoy your stay in Austin to the fullest.


Furthermore, we are pleased to inform you that we have already started meetings to organize our next FCSI meeting in LATAM region for 2025. This event will be a special occasion to gather with our colleagues from across the Latin American region, to exchange innovative ideas and explore collaboration opportunities. Your active participation and contributions will be essential to make this meeting a resounding success.


In summary, this year promises to be exciting and full of opportunities for all of us. Let's continue working together with determination and enthusiasm to reach new horizons and overcome any challenge that comes our way. Let's stay connected, sharing knowledge and supporting each other in our mission to provide world-class solutions to our clients.


Thank you for your ongoing dedication and commitment! We look forward to seeing you in Austin! Let's continue building a bright future for the FCSI consultant community.


Ready?


1,2,3 Austin!


See you soon.


Juan Matamoros, FCSI

Latin America Trustee

FCSI The Americas NEW PODCAST

We've got a new show you have to watch!



Season 1 has began for the new FCSI Project Showcase - The Art of Culinary Design.


Come listen to your colleagues as they discuss their projects that were featured in our annual Project Showcase publication. Learn about their processes, challenges and successes from beginning to end.


Want to be featured in future episodes? Submit your project to the 2025 Project Showcase publication later this year.

Check out the new series HERE

Still want to catch up on old episodes of On Tap? Catch every episode here.

Camp FCSI 2024

CAMP FCSI IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER



There's still time to register! Join us for the biggest event of the year - two full days of education, epic evening events under the stars, networking with other campers, and so much s'more!

REGISTER NOW

IMPORTANT:


The FCSI room block is SOLD OUT at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa


If you still need a room, you can check out hotels near Bastrop TX (20 Minutes from the Hyatt Lost Pines) or the Austin Airport area (30 Minutes from the Hyatt)

FRIDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES


We've left Friday afternoon (after 3PM) open during the conference so attendees can enjoy a fun camp activity at the resort or continue learning by attending an educational workshop.

 

Activities to choose from:

 

Crafts and Drafts - spots still available

Horseback Riding - sorry... this session is full

Tomahawk and Archery - - sorry... this session is full

 

REGISTER FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON CAMP ACTIVITIES

Thank you to all our Camp FCSI Sponsors...

Sponsorship Opportunity for Corporate Members

Guest Lecturers Needed for Foundation

As part of the new foodservice consultant certificate program that will officially launch at Western Kentucky University this fall, the Educational Foundation (EF) is committed to providing guest lecturers (foodservice consultants) each semester. This is a great opportunity for our foodservice consultants to give back to the industry they love.


Here are the specifics:


The Foundation will work to coordinate subject matter with the appropriate consultant.


Our plan is to provide at least 5 guest consultants during every 12-week semester.



The EF will provide round trip coach airfare to Nashville one night stay in either Nashville or Bowling Green, car rental for the 75-minute trip to campus and meals.


We are compiling our list of interested foodservice consultants now. If this is something you would be interested in, please send your contact information to Greg Jewell, Foundation administrator, at gregj@fcsief.org.

Request for Magazine Contributors

FCSI's Foodservice Consultant is looking for Consultant members to contribute to upcoming issues of the magazine.


If you'd like to share a project or submit an idea for a feature article, contact Tina Nielsen.


This is truly the a great way to demonstrate the FCSI motto of we share, we support, we inspire.


View the magazine here

Upper Midwest Chapter NRA Reception

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

REGISTER NOW

Membership Congratulations!

We have a few kudos and congratulations to the following members recently in the news...


PES Design Group Recognized as Top 10 Food Service Design and Consultant Services in 2024 by Food Business Review.

Read the article HERE


2024 FE&S Award Winners


Top Achiever - Consultant

Orlando, Espinosa III, FCSI - Orlando Espinosa Associates, LLC

READ HERE


Facility Design Project of the Year - Auburn's Culinary Science Center

Consultant - Phillip Landgraf, FCSI

READ HERE



Have you or your firm been recognized lately? Email Wade to be included in future editions of the DirectConnection.

Membership News

Associate Members


Jeff Britanico

Smart Design Group


Christine DesRoche

JMK 


Benjamin Pierce

Camacho

Corporate Members


E-Source Miller


2024 Membership Renewals and CEUs

Is Your Renewal Past Due?


Be sure to process your renewal ASAP to ensure that you continue to receive all the benefits of your FCSI membership.


If you did not receive your renewal statement or have questions about your renewal, please contact Penny Price, Director of Member Services for assistance.

Consultant Members - Be Sure to Log Your Required CEUs

Professional members of FCSI must log 12 CEUs, Senior Associates must log 6, and Associate members must log 3 CEUs annually.


Check your membership profile to see ensure you are compliant for 2023 and that you are on track for 2024.


FCSI Education Providers offer hundreds of programs to help you you meet your CEU requirement. Check out the calendar of events here and all the Access On Demand programs here. In addition to these programs, many other activities qualify for CEU credit - trade show attendance, factory tours, speaking engagements, etc. If you have questions about eligible programs, please contact Daniel Milana, Professional Development Coordinator for assistance.

Industry News

Updated Revit Standards

FCSI has established standards to ensure consistency, optimum functionality and quality of the BIM content provided for foodservice equipment. The standards document has been created in cooperation with input from representatives of the three FCSI divisions APD, EAME & TAD, having formed the FCSI BIM Taskforce of Professional Consultants. The FCSI BIM Taskforce proposes that this document is used as guidelines to assist content creators globally. The objective of this Standard is provided as a template when content creators are commissioned with producing Revit families of foodservice equipment for the manufacturers of foodservice equipment. This document is not catch all to solve all issues in all regions. We acknowledge that some additional work will need to be tailored to suit local applications and codes. View the full document here.

Compass Reports


  • More chains discussed prioritizing Human Capital. Chains that were already emphasizing Human Capital have better or improving performance.
  • More Chains are admitting that menu prices are too high and the result is driving away the lower income consumer.
  • Dining rooms are shrinking and have been for the last 10+ years.
  • The Leading Economic Index (LEI) fell again in January. The LEI contracted by 3.0% over the past six months. The declining LEI continues to signal headwinds to economic activity.
  • CPI - The annualize inflation rate was 3.1% for January 2024.

View full report here.

New Email Authentication Requirements from Constant Contact

Google and Yahoo recently announced they're implementing new email authentication requirements for all email senders, effective February 2024, to improve deliverability and prevent spam. These changes are being made in a continuing effort to protect their users against fraudulent messages, such as scams and phishing attempts, and will prevent any emails sent from unauthenticated email addresses from reaching the recipient’s inbox.


As you may know, FCSI The Americas uses Constant Contact to send all broadcast emails and in order to abide but these new regulations, Constant Contact has required us to change the sender email address on emails we send from the platform. You will notice emails we send from Constant Contact will be sent with the @shared1.ccsend.com domain. We want to apprise you of this change so you know the emails have in fact been generated by FCSI and delivered via Constant Contact.

Quick Links


Camp FCSI 2024

Foodservice Consultant Magazine

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Want to share your stories, projects, or insight?

Headquarters is always happy to feature articles from Consultant Members in the Direct Connection. We encourage you to share your experiences and ideas with the membership!


If you would like to have an article featured in the Direct Connection, email your submission to Penny by the 23rd of each month.

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