just handed me a 36-page script.” Yep, you heard it right. Two hours of filming takes about 36 pages of scripts, stage directions, and actors notes. If you have ever wondered what a Chief Creative Officer does, now you know. Stage & equipment set-up, two food deliveries, a 40-person run-through, and several sore feet later, we were ready for filming in the morning.
WSNA friends entered the room and filled the seats. This.Was.Happening. In the audience were some of the happiest and most excited faces I had ever seen on a film day. They were here for a show, and we were going to deliver. Did I forget to mention that we also had ZeeZees and Titan in our show… oh, and a chef from Lambeau Field (that’s the home of the Greenbay Packers if you didn’t know)! WHAT?!?! If you aren’t excited by now, I don’t know what else I can say that will give you the butterflies in your stomach that I had that day. Dream big ideas, guys – and then find a few people crazy enough to help you achieve them. This was a first – but because a few people dared to pioneer A New Way To Keynote – there will be more. What you are about to watch was a labor of love that was one of the most well-attended keynotes in WSNA history. I hope you enjoy the show. Action!
6 a.m.
Alarms go off and we don our very fancy matching NxtGen Network Nike’s (thanks, Marlon!). It’s eerily quiet in a large conference room when you stand alone on a stage that is maxed out with prep tables, stage lights, pantry items, and eight cameras. The only noise behind me was the soft trickle of the water in the beautiful Flex Farm that was on stage. Breathe deep Melissa, it’s showtime.
The quiet didn’t last for long as our on-stage talent, their teams, chefs, and 150 of our closest
Chef Nohl & Susan Deon
Lois Ludwig & Christopher Schmitz
VIDEO COMING SOON! Releasing Thursday, Aug 4th
Chef Anthony & Stephanie Sheley
Melissa Mayer Chief Creative Officer, NxtGen Network
Melissa has been working with school nutrition professionals for over 14 years. Beginning her career as a graphic designer for a design company that specializes in branding and signage for school food service programs, she now focuses her talent on helping other companies that support her school nutrition passion build their brands and market their services. Melissa attended Indiana Wesleyan University where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design.
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