Food for Thought Winter 2022

Industry PERSPECTIVE

CONFERENCE Highlights

I have attended the ISNA School Nutrition and Industry Summit in Plainfield and the ISNA Annual Conference in Fort Wayne and both were very beneficial in my development as an Industry Partner over the last eight months of my time spent with HPS. The Summit was my first experience as an Industry Partner and I made it a point to attend as many of the educational offerings as I was able to because I felt like it was important to learn how my members and potential members were dealing with all of the prominent issues that are facing this industry. Many of the sessions are collaborative and allow you to sit with potential customers and get to know them on a personal level rather than just trying to grab their attention at the trade show portion of the conference. We are all trying to provide solutions to future and current customers and there is no better way to understand what a food service program needs than by attending the sessions that are telling you exactly what struggles/successes they are facing on a daily basis. After the shows and also during the trade show portion of the conference when members are passing by the HPS booth, I have used information that I have learned over the last two shows and made suggestions to my members on different contracts that will add value to their food service programs. At the Annual Conference, during one of Jon Colby’s sessions, he actually split up the tables to allow for one Industry Partner to sit at a table of Food Service Directors and give them a 2-minute pitch on what their company does. The Industry partner and attendees were then asked to collaboratively come up with a funny commercial to promote your product. I was sitting with 7 different directors who will not soon forget my terrible dancing, but will most likely come up and say hello to me at the next conference and have a laugh about it. Most importantly, they left that session with a better understanding of what services HPS can or already does provide their program. It is my opinion that, by attending the sessions, you are becoming a familiar face within the food service industry and it shows that you care about the people and members that you are trying to provide a solution to. After all, we are in this together and our goal as an Industry Partner is to provide the solutions to keep the school feeding programs running as smoothly as possible. I feel like by attending the educational sessions I have become more informed on different topics and have really gotten to know some different directors on more of a personal level. Kory Coleman, Region Manager, HPS

The energy at the 2021 Spring and Fall Conferences was at a heightened level this year. As an industry representative, we know the importance of spending quality time with our customers, but this year the feeling was different. There was not only the excitement of seeing customers all together in one location, but the collaboration with other members of the industry was encouraging. The supply chain issues were a common denominator amongst all of the directors, but the desire to work together with industry professionals to continue to put student’s needs first was highlighted. This was often demonstrated during the collaboration with industry during breakout sessions, small group interactions and social gatherings. When we can spend dedicated time together focused on the needs of our customers, we not only have a chance to commiserate in our challenges, but the devotion is always there to be the best we can be. The challenges are not behind us and we need to remember to continue this partnership as we continue to navigate the rest of this school year. Personally, I know that I needed this renewed hope in our industry. Professionally, being engaged in the conferences, attending breakout sessions and being an exhibitor provided me with the opportunity to not only strengthen relationships with our current customers, but to have a better understanding of what they are experiencing day in and day out. It is my hope that everyone had an opportunity to share an idea, recharge their battery, or even just enjoy a good old-fashioned belly laugh with a friend! Shannon Walls, Account Manager Commercial Food Systems, Inc.

This year’s conference included several panel discussions in order to incorporate many perspectives on topics.

Gracie Dowsett of South Madison Community Schools and Audrey Banich of Franklin Township Community Schools presented a fantastic and targeted session on Tech Tools for School Nutrition Program Efficiency!

Speaker, Jon Colby, always brings in fun activities to drive home his takeaway messages.

A special thank you to Tarrah Westercamp of No Kid Hungry for organizing not one, but 2 panel discussion at this year’s conference.

Robin McCorkle of MSD Bluffton Harrison telling a story to co-attendees during Jon Colby’s opening session.

Ben Driscoll, ISNA Legislative Committee Chair, provides attendees with a Legislative Update at lunch on Thursday.

Never a dull moment when playing “games” during a session with speaker, Jon Colby! Members from Avon Community School Corp. with Shannon Walls of Commercial Food Systems.

It’s impossible to get a still photo of speaker, Jon Colby! Animated is an understatement when it comes to Colby’s sessions!

Overall conference feedback from attendees included rave reviews for all 3 of our keynote/general session speaker Ervin Watson, Jon Colby and Gerry Brooks. I mean, it was truly an all-star line up! Take a look at the photos on the following pages to get a glimpse into the energy that was brought to the table. You will also see pictures showcasing the fun that is had during networking, meals and entertainment events. While I could go on and on about all of the aspects of the annual conference, in the interest of Food for Thought space, I will simply remind you to SAVE THE DATE for the 2022 ISNA Annual Conference in Indianapolis from November 9th through the 11th. The 2022 theme will be ‘A Seat at the Table.’ CONFERENCE Highlights

Gerry Brooks, one of our highly rated keynote speakers, addressing attendees regarding Climate and Culture.

Mikki Dayhuff and Betsey Willard pose with Friday’s featured speaker, Gerry Brooks!