With the proverbial deck of restaurant and foodservice life being reshuffled in so many aspects, a Canadian entrepreneur has taken it upon himself to reset how business and industry professionals gather.
With that goal in mind, veteran entrepreneur Edward Lo created the FSM Summit. “Our goal was to introduce a better way to network with industry leaders in the institutional food service management space,” Lo noted. “There simply had to be a better alternative to standing around for hours to get a handful of rushed conversations.”
Lo recently concluded the inaugural FSM Summit 2023 last month at the National Doral, Miami, Florida. The 2024 FSM Summit is slated for the spectacular stunning Baha Mar resort, June 24th-26th, 2024 in the Bahamas for three days of networking, industry panels, and pre-matched private meetings with innovative solution providers. “I’m convinced that a spectacular Caribbean destination will elevate the whole Summit,” Lo explained. “Our mission is to help bring innovative products and solutions to food service management operators from contract food management companies, as well as self-operated facilities.”
“Our purpose is to help maximize your productivity by helping you to build powerful relationships, learn about the latest innovations from industry leaders, and create a community of like-minded individuals that will extend beyond the event. We know that your time is valuable, which is why we organize the 3-day event to ensure that every moment is focused on bringing value to our operator and supplier attendees.”
Lo’s goal was to build the FSM Summit into a must-attend event for the often-overlooked institutional foodservice professional that are the key buyers and decision-makers in the contract and self-operated food management industry.
“We wanted to create an event in which the healthcare, corporate, college and university and even correctional foodservice professional could come and find solutions,” Lo noted. “These folks have a very different set of needs from the restaurant operator, and we wanted to create an event that focuses on those needs.”
To ensure attendees have control or influence over purchasing decisions and require relevant products and solutions, they undergo a rigorous vetting process. This matching process sets FSM Summit apart from traditional trade shows, providing a unique and valuable experience.
The FSM Summit also understands that today’s B&I professional is faced with a number of challenges. At the top of the list is the recruiting and training and motivating of the dining staff. “With that in mind, our programming will deal with the nuances of voice and body language to build trust and leadership styles,” Lo explained. “There’s no question that in today’s labor market, it’s all about how you can do more with fewer people. We also understand the need for the Summit to assist the B&I operator in creating strategies that respond to the new realities of a hybrid work force. I’m also convinced that the network opportunity at the Summit, will showcase new opportunities like Senior Living and corporate break rooms.”
During FSM Summit, B&I professionals have the opportunity to meet with suppliers that are tailored to their business needs. “Unlike traditional trade shows, our curated environment uses a ‘speed meeting’ format where you will engage in 15-minute sessions that are uninterrupted and focused on your specific needs,” Lo said. “These meetings will introduce you to products and solutions that you may not have known existed and act as a thought-starter for future discussions. By participating, you will accomplish more in three days than you would with weeks worth of research outside of our forum.”
The FSM Summit has also embraced the importance of B&I operators giving back to the communities they serve. “We believe in supporting the community within FSM Summit, the community within the food service industry, and the local community where the Summit is hosted,” Lo concluded. “For that reason, we take pride in hosting an activity at each Summit that is focused on contributing back to the local community. We partner with local charities and organizations to help give back in the best way possible. Who says you can’t have fun while paying it forward?”
For more information on attending or exhibiting at the 2024 FSM Summit in the Bahamas, foodservice professionals are invited to visit their website.
