Big Ideas in the Big Easy -- New Directions for IFEC
As foodservice editors, publicists and in-betweens, we are at the forefront of the shift in how news is communicated and opinions are shaped, and we are trying to do a lot better than merely keep up.  Whether you are making the transition from print to digital media, experimenting with Twitter and Facebook, blogging away, or are simply overwhelmed by too much territory to cover and too few sign posts, IFEC in The Big Easy will give you some useful tools for navigating the road ahead.

Learning Sessions
Conference sessions will address the transition from print to digital as it impacts foodservice communicators and the foodservice industry itself.  Featured programs will include a workshop on writing for the web as well as a panel of IFEC editors who will discuss the new directions their digital properties are taking and what that means for the rest of us.  

Making Local Connections
There will also be conversations with chefs, restaurateurs, food producers and other New Orleaneans who are confronting their own extraordinary changes as their lives and livelihoods were battered by Hurricane Katrina five years ago and are being threatened again by the BP oil spill.
 
The IFEC Institute: A Lagniappe for You 
In New Orleans, they call an extra-special gift a lagniappe.  IFEC's lagniappe to you is The IFEC Institute, a series of half-day interactive workshops designed to inspire you with new insights and skills you can apply in your professional and personal life. 

There’s a new topic this year, but in keeping with the tradition set by IFEC Institutes in 2008 and 2009, the 2010 edition will again deliver practical tips and tools that you can take home and put to use right away.

The topic is “Harness the Power of Actionable Creative Thinking for a Competitive Edge.” Led by the innovative consultancy, ThinkShop, it promises to be an engaging session where you will learn how to use a simple and flexible process for generating ideas to solve all kinds of challenges. 

Sign up to explore how creative people and organizations use diversity, freshness, momentum, realness and even absurdity to bring new ideas to market. The Institute precedes the conference opening on Monday, November 8, and will be conducted at The Royal Sonesta Hotel.  Hours are 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Lunch is included.

Registration for the conference and The IFEC Institute should be done online at the same time (they are on the same form).  Members may also register non-member industry guests and personal guests at the same time as registering themselves.  Credit cards are accepted or you may request an invoice.

Fees
Full conference registration:  $500 for members / $895 for non-members
IFEC Institute registration:     $  75 for members / $100 for non-members
Daily rates are available as well as per-meal rates for guests

At The Heart of It All -- Office Hours
As always, Office Hours – the pre-scheduled 10-minute deskside visits between editors and publicists – are what make IFEC tick. 

To schedule Office Hours, publicists must register for the full conference and Office Hours at the same time (they are on the same form).  After you have completed your registration, you will receive an email with instructions for identifying eight editors with whom you would like to meet. The email comes right after you register, so watch for it.  And be sure you make note of your selections. 

There are no guarantees you will receive every appointment you request.  If you don’t, there will be many more opportunities for connecting with editors. Also, remember there is a lot to be gained by networking with fellow publicists, from shared editorial placements to partnering on promotions and other projects.
 
In The Heart of It All -- Our Conference Hotel
The beautiful Royal Sonesta Hotel occupies a city block in the heart of the French Quarter. One side faces Bourbon Street.  If that's not your cup of tea, you can focus on the other three! Or turn inward to soak up the Southern charms of the courtyard’s fabulous pool and palms.

For reservations, call The Royal Sonesta at 504-586-0300.
Cut-off for the conference room rate is October 8th. When making your reservation, specify that you are a member of the IFEC / International Foodservice Editorial Council Group. The rate is $199 single or double, plus 13% sales tax and 2% occupancy tax.

Food Tours
Wednesday afternoon is when we hit the road to explore the Big Easy's food culture. The Tour Committee is lining up an exciting assortment of trips. One will take us to Silver Plate-winner Major Jim Beach’s foodservice operation at the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office (a prison kitchen is a first for IFEC!) and, in intriguing juxtaposition, a mixology class at the classy Ritz Carlton. Other venues under consideration are a brewery, sugarcane plantation, rum distillery and butchery. 

Product Presentations 
A delicious and important element of every conference is the opportunity to sample the provender represented by IFEC colleagues. There is something new and wonderful to taste at every turn, from the opening night's Chef Showcase to action stations to whatever is on your plate and in your glass at breakfast, lunch and dinner -- breaks, too! 

If you haven't signed up to showcase your product or service in a Product Presentation, there's still time and a category for everyone.  If you don't have something edible or quaffable to provide, you can sponsor a speaker or a printed piece.  Check out the possibilities on our site today.
 
More details on speakers and tours will be coming soon.
 
Please contact Executive Director Carol Lally with any questions: 845-229-6973 or ifec@aol.com

Click here for the agenda in PDF.

2010 IFEC CONFERENCE AGENDA
*agenda is subject to change / posted 7/19/10

Sunday, November 7
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Meeting of the 2010 Board of Directors

Monday, November 8
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - The IFEC Institute

2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Conference Registration & Gift Bags
Gift Bag Sponsorship Opportunity

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Welcome Reception
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. - New Member Orientation

5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Welcome to NOLA, Speaker TBA
Sponsorship Opportunity

6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. - Meet The Press

7:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Chef Showcase
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

Tuesday, November 9
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. - Buffet Breakfast
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Office Hours – Session 1

8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Scholarship Auction

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Refreshment Break
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

10:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Office Hours – Session 2

11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. - Educational Session
Sponsorship Opportunity

12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.  - Buffet Lunch
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Educational Session
Sponsorship Opportunity

2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. - Office Hours – Session 3

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Refreshment Break
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. - Cocktail Time
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. - The Betty Dinner
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

9:15 p.m. - Special-Event Opportunity

Wednesday November 10
8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. - Annual Meeting Breakfast
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Office Hours – Session 4

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Refreshment Break
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

11:20 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. - Office Hours – Session 5

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Food Tours with Box Lunch
F&B Product Presentation Opportunity

Free Evening

Thursday November 11
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. - Farewell Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Meeting of 2011 Board of Directors

conference closes