Spring came early for those that attended the 2008 catersource Conference & Tradeshow and Event Solutions Idea Factory in Las Vegas. Caterers and event planners from across the country gathered to share their ideas and insight and take home a new perspective on how they do business. Informative sessions, stunning evening events and presentations by some of they best known names in the industry were only SOME of the highlights!
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Big names share big ideas
Colin Cowie took the main stage for a ride at the Grand Opening session as he dazzled the audience with his stunning event design concepts. From a wedding weekend in India to Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball, Cowie explains that you can refine an event to new levels of excellence with the impecable attention to detail. Attendees also had the opprtunity to meet Cowie as he signed copies of his books Colin Cowie Chic and Extraordinary Weddings before the session.
 "Smile for no apparent reason!" The
Hearty Boys gave attendees this tip and plenty more as their session
covered the many aspects of giving a food demo for the
cameras. Skill, humor and warmth gave Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith a
charismatic presence as they explained the importance of having talking points and being flexible when you're on camera. They extended the charm
as they signed copies of their new book Talk with Your Mouth Full after the session.
And trend guru Robyn Waters wrapped things up with an eye-opening explaination of how trends come about, how to interpret them and how to work them into your customer offerings. By understanding the complex nature of a trend and and its counterpart, attendees learned that they have the power to shape a trend and put it to work for their business.
Books by each of these presenters are available at the catersource Store online.
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Photographs from the 2008 Conference & Tradeshow are now available through our Conference photographer Motiva. Use the link below and enter event code: CS-ES2008
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What I learned...
With so many educational paths to choose from, it's hard to wrap your head around the amount of valuable information available at the 2008 Conference. Here are a few memorable moments:
 "I learned so much! One of the highlights (as there were many) was a
great way of serving soup. I love the idea of putting a garnish in the
bowl, serving it to the guest and then pouring the hot soup at the
table from a tea server. I can't wait to have the opportunity to follow through."
Chani
"I am consistently blown away by the generousity of so many
caterers in this organization, willing to share thier experience. I
have learned so much and have a direction to work in.
Good Gracious Catering and Five Star Events impressed me
with their dedication to creating such fabulous "green" events at [the Fabulous Showcase Event]
Temptation, hats off to them for showcasing eco-friendly techniques."
Karyl
"...ideas don't belong to anyone, it's the spin you put on them. From
Colin Cowie to Main Street Caterers some of the same ideas are
being used to delight and impress guests. Catersource puts you in touch with cutting edge ideas."
Lisa
"I learned to require more of my staff and to
make sure they understand the goals of our company and our "core values." I learned to test and
reward my employees for proving proficiency on different tasks, duties,
equipment operation, and guest service."
Mike
"Sampling the "buffet" of classes at the conference, talking with
caterers from around the country (and from across the globe) and
checking out some of the fabulous new products on the market at the
trade show was a wonderful and eye-opening experience for me. I came
home afire with
ideas!"
Dawn
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Complete Conference highlights, winner announcements and follow up stories will be published in future issues of catersource Magazine. If you have a story to share about the Conference or an idea that you took away, please email Suzy Feine at editor@catersource.com. |
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More catersource winners
Catersource is proud to announce the winners of the inaugural ACE Award, presented at the 2008 Conference & Tradeshow:
Good Gracious! Events
Los Angeles, CA
Pauline Parry
Catering By Design
Denver, CO
Cade Nagy
Zilli Hospitality Group
Waukesha, WI
Stephen Zilli
Feastivities Events
Philadelphia, PA
Meryl Snow
Walt Disney Swan & Dolphin
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Edward DiAntonio
Gourmet Cuisine
Mississaugua, ON Canada
Deborah Macfe
More winners from the 2008 Conference & Tradeshow are posted on our website at www.catersource.com
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Caterers bring home more than great ideas!Catersource
unveiled its new line of merchandise at the 2008 Conference. Trendy
tshirts, fun and useful products and many books and DVDs by our top
presenters were available to Conference attendees at the catersource Store. These products are now available at the catersource Store online - start shopping today! . . .
Catersource announcements
Catersource president Mike Roman is happy to announce the promotion of several catersource team members:
Pauline Hoogmoed has been named the new CEO of catersource Magazine, Conference & Tradeshow.
Vice President of Marketing Nan Hildebrandt will take on the additional role of Publisher of catersource Magazine.
Production Manager Jean Blackmer has been named Creative Director and will continue to guide the award winning look of catersource Magazine.
Together, the entire catersource team will continue to work hard to build the best possible resource for catering professionals.
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