The FSCI The Americas ICON Committee (Inspiring Consultants through Opportunity and Networking) has narrowed the campus location of pilot chapters: 

UNLV

KSU

Cornell

CIA

Johnson & Wales

Southern College of Design

Bellevue College ASU Le Cordon Blue NECI AI

The ICON Committee (Inspiring Consultants through Opportunity and Networking) promotes the participation of new and emerging members of FCSI TA. 

The 2014 Speed of Service Report, brought to you by Long Range Systems and Foodable Labs (Foodable WebTV Network) is now available.

Tired of Lunch & Learn one architect firm at a time? Meet multiple firms in one day with America Training Solutions.

Upcoming events include: 

September

New York, NY

October 

Buffalo, NY

Louisville, KY

Contact them today. 

For the first time, FCSI The Americas is partnering with the Espacio Show, taking place September 3-5 in Santiago, Chile! FCSI TA will offer an educational session and a networking cocktail reception. We will also have an exhibit on the show floor.

Register for the Show

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Thank you to our Sponsors!

  Ali Group                       Electrolux

Follett Corporation              Halton-Innes

Hobart Mexicana s de RL de CV 

          Manitowoc                Middleby Corporation 

Unified Brands

MA Bill Passed Limiting Bidding Process

Regrettably, Governor Duval Patrick signed bidding bill HB 4303 into law last week.

Thanks to Colburn & Guyette for writing the governor to help veto this bill. 

Unfortunately, this was not enough to stop the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) effort.  As mentioned before ASID is focusing their money and muscle on three states: MA, CA and NY.  IDPC has watched more than 150 of their bills get derailed since 2006, so they have tightened their strategy - they spent a lot of money and time lobbying, and they've just realized their first victory in quite a while.  They did not get everything they wanted, though.  Their previous drafts of this bill excluded everyone but NCIDQ-certified designers.  In response to our objections, the bill was amended to state that any "nationally-recognized certification" can bid.  We believe FCSI Professional Membership will qualify but we are seeking clarification on that ruling.  While ASID is already celebrating this victory, they have actually restricted the majority of their own members who do not have any kind of certification from bidding.  More news to follow... 

The NAFEM Show takes place February 19-21 in Anaheim, CA. FCSI members should use the code FCSI15 to obtain complimentary badges. Register Now.

The FCSI has a special sleeping room rate at the Anaheim Marriott (SOLD OUT) and the Marriott Suites ($159 / night). Click here to book the hotel of your choice using the code FCSI2015. 

Make plans to attend the FCSI Symposium, which begins just prior to the NAFEM Show on Tuesday evening, February 17 with an opening party. Wednesday features an education-packed day, including separate tracks for consulting services and the business of consulting. The NAFEM Show opens Wednesday evening with its reception. Click here for the FCSI Symposium schedule.

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Thank you to our Symposium Sponsors to date! 

PLATINUM 

Ali Group

ANSUL

Continental Refrigerator

Eagle Group

GOLD

Eloma

InSinkErator

Micro Matic

SILVER

True Food Service Equipment

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FCSI Symposium Sponsorship Opportunities

The next FCSI EAME Conference will be held March 26-29 in Madrid, Spain at the Melia Castilla Hotel. The conference team, chaired by Duncan Ackery, FCSI, is putting together a fantastic program based on the theme 'Young Talent'. The conference is chaired by Adam Griffin, FCSI. There will be educational sessions on the morning of March 26. The conference can only be a success with the participation of both our professional design and management consultants, and as always by the generous sponsorship of our allied members.

The administration of the conference is being jointly shared by FCSI EAME and FCSI UK&I, and they will be in touch soon with registration details and costs.

If you plan to attend, book your flights now while the prices are still low.  Hotel reservations will be available shortly at a very attractive rate of around € 130 per room.

Look for regular updates through Twitter, the FCSI app (coming soon!) and Foodservice Consultant. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to email Sabine Wagner, Executive Director of FCSI EAME.

The second edition of the FCSI Professional Kitchens reference book is out now and should not be missed. It contains international content and is a daily working book. Just five minutes of flicking through the book will reveal decades of outstanding experience and knowledge shared by the authors.

Horace Mann's quote "Every addition to true knowledge is an addition to human power" resonates within our society. Knowledge can have a very powerful and positive impact on our clients in the process of making the right decisions for their business.

"Investment in knowledge earns the highest interest" is another statement that fits perfectly for our Society. This means not only you will benefit from the contents in this book, but your customers, your employees and your colleagues will as well.

The special price for FCSI members is €105 net.

Fine Food Melbourne, taking place September 15-18 is less than four weeks away! Click here for program details.

Join your fellow FCSI Members and maximise the opportunity to network, attend the technology seminar, provide advice at the 'Ask a Consultant' hot spot and enjoy a great dinner co-hosted by APD and NAFES to support the FCSI Education Foundation, to be held at Hilton South Wharf.   

REGISTER NOW

We have negotiated a great accommodation rate of AUD$285 (incl GST) at Hilton South Wharf.

For further information on the program or accommodation contact:

Toni Clarke

Mia Gemell

The second quarter of 2014 was hampered by the lagged effects of a tough winter with growth of 3.1%, down from 3.3% in Q1/14.

As in first quarter, the regional variances were acute, ranging from -1.2% in the Northeast, +3.5% in the Midwest, to +3.8% in the West, +3.9% in Canada to +5.5% in the South.

Overall sales for North America ranged from +4.5% in Supplies, +3.8% in Tabletop, +2.9% in Equipment, to +2.7% in Furnishings.

All indications point to an upturn. MAFSI Reps are forecasting a healthy +5.7% gain in Q3/14. This is supported by strong upticks in both Quoting (56%) and Consulting (47%) activity.