The Consultant - Q1 2009 - (Page 9) From the Executive Director Get Ready for the New Year Welcome to 2009 – a year that promises to hold several exciting changes for FCSI. Our new FCSI worldwide office is now fully functional in terms of management and administrative support for the board of directors, division and local unit leaders, the membership and industry partners. As part of our reorganization efforts, we are in the process of implementing a new Association Management System that contains the member database. This new system will allow us to collect and maintain a greater wealth of information about members which will be invaluable in helping to market the benefits of using professional, independent foodservice consultants in all facets and market sectors of the foodservice and hospitality industry. We hope that our consultant and allied members will help us by inputting as much information as possible as we populate the database. The more accurate our information is, the better we are able to assist potential clients in their search for qualified, knowledgeable and professional consulting assistance. During 2009, we plan to undertake a marketing effort to increase industry awareness of the services available from FCSI consultant members, working with the marketing and public relations representatives of all three divisions and our friends in hospitality industry publishing circles. This edition of The Consultant magazine is arriving in time for the new-look NAFEM Show… a new venue and a different time of the year than has historically been the case. For those attending the trade show there will be new innovations to see and old acquaintances to catch up with. This year, FCSI – the Americas Division will be presenting a scaled back offering of events and seminars. This move is in direct answer to comments received in the past, from both consultant and allied members concerned about the length of time away from their offices for a full FCSI conference plus several days at the trade show. But never fear – there are significant conference offerings in store for FCSI members, operators and industry partners later in the year – located in all three divisions. There is so much happening in FCSI divisions across the globe. FCSI Asia Pacific will be holding their annual seminar and social events in New Delhi, India for the first time – in conjunction with the AAHAR Show March 7 to 10. The educational program and detailed schedule is in place and we are very excited about the opportunity to present FCSI to the industry in India. Join APD in Incredible India! FCSI Europe/Africa/Middle East will be holding their biannual conference at the Le Méridien N’Fis Hotel in Marrakech, Morocco October 15 to 17. “Innovation – Key to the Future” promises to be an exciting and educational event as we look to the future of the industry juxtaposed against the ancient surroundings of Marrakech. FCSI – The Americas will hold their biannual conference November 1 to 3 in Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota. The Hyatt Hotel Downtown Minneapolis will play host to “New Tools for New Times.” The times they are a changing – and consultants need new tools for marketing, client relations, project management and more. The Board of Directors of FCSI has also established a task force which will review this magazine and make recommendations for improvements aimed at improving readability, educational value, international content while expanding upon global distribution of The Consultant magazine. Watch for a fresh new magazine later this year. Welcome to 2009! “We Share, We Support, We Inspire” Scott Legge Executive Director scott@fcsi.org First Quarter 2009 9
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