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February 2014
From the Executive Director
Wade Koehler, CAE

Phoenix is defined as:

 

- a person or thing of peerless beauty or excellence

- a person or thing that has become renewed or restored after suffering calamity or apparent annihilation.

 

What a fitting city to host our 2014 Conference. Over the past few years, we have slowly risen from the brink of destruction and finally have begun to witness the victories from our labor. We have former members returning, newer younger members getting involved and a renewed pride in FCSI The Americas. Our new social media campaigns are off and running and the Board is working hard to set new pathways for the Division over the next few years with a few exciting announcements to come soon.

 

So come join the party and help celebrate in Phoenix!! We have two days of fantastic education planned with sessions ranging from Working Globally to Menu Design to Tough Conversations. Of course it wouldn't be an FCSI conference without great food and open bars!! 


Our newly revived evening events won't look the same either. To quote the old adage "this ain't your old FCSI":

 

Our evening events kick off with a bang Thursday night on top of the mountain viewing the Phoenix city skyline. Plan to "sing along" throughout the night while networking with colleagues new and old.

 

We replaced the "open" night on Friday with a good old fashion Hoe Down so bring your boots and hat. See if you can survive 8 seconds on our mechanical bull while enjoying live music.

 

Who wants a formal banquet? NO ONE this year. Leave your tux and dress and bring your best beach wear.  We've scrapped the formal event for a nice relaxed closing poolside party to close out the conference. Celebrate with your new friends enjoying more great food and cocktails.

  

Already registered? Bring a friend or colleague for ONLY $295.

 

Not registered yet? Use code DCSPECIAL to receive $100 off your registration for the next 10 days!

 

Register Today

 

In This Issue
Welcome to our New Members!

Associates 

 

Whitney Duffey

Brailsford and Dunlavey

Randi Kassha

SSA, Inc. 

Anja Kuechenmeister

Camacho Associates 

Joe Mora

SSA, Inc. 

Jennifer Rohn

Foodlines 

Robert Scheibly

SSA, Inc.

Kyle Schwartz

SSA, Inc.

 

Senior Associate

 

Peter Field

Genivar Inc. 

 

Professional

 

Ken Schwartz

(reinstated)

SSA, Inc.

 

Corporate 

 

Pearl City Manufacturing

 

Education Providers

 

Cres Cor

 An FCSI Member's Perspective on Profitable Hospitality

FCSI Professional Member Juan Martinez, PhD, PE, FCSI, provides his insight in achieving profitable hospitality through integrated design in a new article for Restaurant development + design. Click here for the full article.

 FCSI The Americas Partners with DigitalCoCo

FCSI The Americas Board is please to announce the Division has signed a contract with Social Media Experts DigitalCoCo to begin a new social media campaign in 2014. Along with assisting with our @fcsiamericas twitter feed and our FCSI Americas LinkedIn, we have created a new FCSI Americas Facebook page. 
 
We encourage all of you to join our LinkedIn and Facebook pages and follow our twitter feed to get in on the action and keep up with the Division's news and views.
2014 FCSI TA Sponsorship Opportunities

Click on any of the links below for more information on upcoming sponsorship opportunities. 

 

DirectConnection Rates

 

Last Day to Sponsor!  

FCSI-TA Conference Sponsorship Opportunities - Phoenix, AZ, April 10-12

 

Matching Grant for First Time FCSI TA Conference AttendeesHelp Contribute to the First Time Attendee Phoenix Conference Grants

Member Spotlight

Jennifer Murphy

Vision Builders & Design

 

How did you get your start in the industry?

Throughout college I was always interested in getting into kitchen design. At the time, I thought that naturally meant residential kitchens. I didn't even realize commercial kitchens was a possibility. As I was looking for a job after graduation, I happened upon an ad for an entry level kitchen designer. I submitted my resume and got a call back. As it turns out, this position was with a foodservice consultant. I thought it sounded interesting, so I interviewed and was hired on the spot. Seven years later, I'm still loving foodservice!

 

What path did you follow to get where you are today?

I have always had a love affair with food. I come from a family of great cooks, and many of my jobs throughout high school and college were in restaurants. It seemed natural that my path follow along that same line. I went to college for interior design and focused on kitchen design. Once I discovered the world of foodservice consulting, I don't think there was any turning back.  I stayed with the company that initially introduced me to foodservice, Foodesign Associates, for about five years. I learned a lot there, but it was just time to move on. I received an offer from Vision Builders & Design where I have been for a little over two years now. 

 

What do you enjoy most about this industry?

I love that there's always something new to learn. This industry is constant evolving and each project is different. I'm never bored!

 

What do you do when you are not working?

Most of my time outside of work is spent with my husband and 3-year old daughter. She has become interested in cooking as well, so I love to spend time with her in the kitchen. In addition, I recently rediscovered my love of music and have begun the process of re-teaching myself how to play piano. That has been a lot of fun, and is a great stress reliever after busy days at the office! 

 

Jennifer Murphy is a member of the ICON Committee, a committee that promotes the participation of new and emerging members of FCSI TA. 

NRA Announces 
2014 KI Award Recipients

 

The National Restaurant Association recently announced the recipients of the 2014 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards, which honor equipment and technology that specifically improves the back of the house operations and benefits restaurant operators. 
 
"2014 marks an important milestone for the KI Awards," said Sam Facchini, co-founder and co-owner of Metro Pizza and 2014 NRA Show� Convention Chair. "In addition to proudly celebrating our 10 year anniversary of the Awards, this year's honorees demonstrate the continued tradition of the KI Awards in celebrating innovative companies making a measureable impact on the day-to-day operations of the foodservice industry."

 

The 2014 KI Award recipients reflect the trends and topics most important to foodservice operators today. The 24 selected innovations offer solutions for operators addressing waste reduction and energy conservation, enhanced sanitation, as well as increased efficiency with equipment that showcases hybrid cooking techniques and reduced cooking times. 

  

Click here for the full press release, which includes the 24 selected innovations.

DC Sponsor Highlight - Master-Bilt

Master-Bilt, manufacturer of a complete line of premier commercial refrigeration and freezer systems, received a 2013 Kitchen Innovations Award by the National Restaurant Association Restaurant for its innovative Glycol Parallel Rack Systems (GPS). The GPS series uses a highly energy efficient and eco-friendly chilled glycol loop to cool equipment in foodservice kitchens or retail environments.

 

What makes the GPS series so efficient is the integration of floating heat pressure technology. This is achieved by integrating an electronic expansion valve to provide superior control of the head pressure. By effectively lowering the head pressure based on the lowest outside air temperature, the amp draw is also lowered, saving energy by as much as 25 percent. 

 

The glycol system reduces refrigerant charge and keeps refrigerant completely contained within the parallel rack system. The result is less refrigerant and piping, leading to less chance of refrigerant leaks which cause greenhouse gasses to escape into the atmosphere.

 

The GPS series racks use fully digital controls to provide greater precision, diagnostics, data logging and monitoring capabilities. Most businesses with multiple pieces of refrigeration equipment can improve efficiency and be more eco-friendly with the GPS system.

FCSI Educational Foundation 
Lends Support to Foodservice Education

With renewed direction and purpose, the FCSI Educational Foundation is committed to funding educational programming that promotes life-long learning, professionalism and ethical behavior for the foodservice consulting profession.  Your tax-deductible donation to the foundation helps fund programs such as sponsoring student attendance at FCSI events, scholarships, internships and more.  Click here for a brochure with more information on the FCSI Educational Foundation mission and goals.  In addition, check out this article in Foodservice Consultant Magazine.

Quick Links
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The ICON Committee 
(Inspiring Consultants through Opportunity and Networking) has a group on LinkedIn.
Follow us on TwitterFollow the FCSI 
WW President 
on Twitter! 
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Upcoming Exam Opportunities 
Attention Senior Associates: 
Click here for upcoming dates and locations to take one of the either the Industry Knowledge Exam (IKE), or the Professional Skills Exam (PSE). Contact Kimberly for questions you have on the Professional Membership Process.  
Rolling Forward CEUs
Did you earn additional CEUs in 2013 than were required? You can roll some of them over, depending on your membership designation. Here's the breakdown:

Associate Members need to earn 3 CEUs annually, and can roll over 1 CEU above and beyond the 3 CEUs.

Senior Associate Members need to earn 6 CEUs annually, and can roll over 3 CEUs above and beyond the 6 CEUs.

Professional Members need to earn 12 CEUs annually, and can roll over 6 CEUs above and beyond the 12 CEUs. 

CEUs can be rolled forward by request. Contact Kimberly

Rock My Restaurant


Rock My Restaurant is hosted by our own members Bill Bender and Eric Norman. 

 

New Episode!

Benefits of iPad and and Tablet POS Systems

Across the Bar: Timeless Cocktails with a Special Spin


Foodable WebTV Network's original series, Across The Bar, visits Chicago's, The Drawing Room. Join host Paul Barron and lead Mixologist Sergio Serna as they discuss cocktail trends and even create the first Across the Bar original cocktail, the ATB! Watch now

Special Thanks to our Direct Connection Sponsors
                                                                   

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FCSI The Americas Headquarters | www.fcsi.org | 5004 Francesco Lane
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