SFM Enters the Magic Kingdom

Who knows, we may just have a little Disney magic for you to take home.” That declaration, part of the opening remarks made by SFM President Ann McNally to attendees of the group's 2010 National Conference, kicked off the events.

Held in the shadows of Disney's mid-Florida wonderland in Lake Buena Vista, the conference took as its theme Put Your Creativity to Work. The Disney angle was reinforced by an address given by Disney Institute's Tom Madden, who spoke on Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence.

The conference agenda touched on various areas of interest, from recruitment (Attracting and Retaining Talent in Today's Environment), sanitation/food safety (Crisis Management: Understanding Food Safety and the Impact of Foodborne Illness on Your Operation) and of course new media (Tweet This!) to sustainability (The What, Who and How of Sustainable Food and Beverage) and Menu Refreshment (Menu Magic: Smart New Innovations to Invigorate Your Menu).

President’s Award winner Barbara Kane of Ecolab.

Bill Rancic, winner of the first season's competition on the popular Donald Trump-hosted TV show The Apprentice, gave the keynote address while motivational speaker Joleen Goronkin gave attendees advice on how to Create Your Own Crystal Ball.

The conference was also the venue where SFM honored members who have served the organization and the onsite dining community with distinction and dedication.

SFM's President's Award was given to Barbara Kane of Ecolab, a longtime participant in and supporter of SFM's activities.

Other winners included Dick Hynes of Hobert (Lifetime Achievement Award), Charlene Goff of Edgewater Marketing (Robert Pacifico Above and Beyond Award), Jay Silverstein of Credit Suisse (Richard Ysmael Distinguished Service Award), Bernadette Ventura of Cini-Little International (Leadership Award) and Steve Norgren of Aramark (Spirit Award).

(l. to r.) Richard Ysmael Distinguished Service Award winner Jay Silverstein of Credit Suisse (c.) with SFM President Ann McNally and conference chair Rush Sherman of Sodexo; Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dick Hynes of Hobart with McNally and Sherman; Robert Paci