The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, co-located with the Pizza Tomorrow Summit, attracted more attendees and exhibitors than last year By Sara Perez Webber Under new management and co-located for the first time with the Pizza Tomorrow Summit, the 2023 Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show in Orlando put on a strong showing in November, attracting thousands of … [Read more...] about Success in the Sunshine State
Events
Mastering Social Media
Follow these steps to increase your visibility on channels such as Instagram and create buzz for your events By Shannon Licygiewicz, general manager, Albany Capital Center We live in a day and age where anything worth seeing is captured on our phones. For better or for worse, our lives, the places we go and the events we attend are on full public display via various … [Read more...] about Mastering Social Media
Sourcing for the High Seas
The new F&B@Sea trade show brought together cruise line executives and suppliers in a first-of-its-kind event By Sara Perez Webber Meat protein substitutes, sustainable seafood, and low and no-alcohol beverages—those were a few items cruise lines were interested in sourcing at the recent F&B@Sea trade show. “This was the world’s first event dedicated to cruise … [Read more...] about Sourcing for the High Seas
Scoring a Pre-Game Success
Nearly 12,000 guests enjoyed the Official NFL Tailgate Experience before the Super Bowl, served up by Constellation Culinary Group CATERER: Constellation Culinary Groupconstellationculinary.com EVENT: Official NFL Tailgate Experience for Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 12, 2023 OVERVIEW: Constellation Culinary Group served 11,550 … [Read more...] about Scoring a Pre-Game Success
Bringing Your “A” Game to Away Games
It takes a winning attitude and lots of preparation to hit a homerun with an off-premise event By Sara Perez Webber Successful caterers and event planners know how to execute events in the most challenging of locations but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. From weather to difficult terrain to Murphy’s Law – anything that can go wrong will go wrong – obstacles abound. To … [Read more...] about Bringing Your “A” Game to Away Games
Take It Outside
Tips for fun, festive outdoor events—no matter the season By Robin Selden, managing partner and executive chef of Marcia Selden Catering All photos from Marcia Selden Catering The days of getting wrapped up in faux fur to drink vodka and party at a “cool” ice bar in an igloo are so pre-COVID! Now we party in the great outdoors no matter how cold (or hot) it is—and … [Read more...] about Take It Outside
Fresh Ideas
Talented event planners share 10 ways they’re adding memorable touches to an already beautiful canvas—the great outdoors By Sara Perez Webber Starry skies, dappled sunlight, fragrant flowers, gentle breezes—outdoor events come with an innate ambience. Yet even natural beauty can be enhanced. We asked event planners from across the country to share the ways they’re making … [Read more...] about Fresh Ideas
Plant-Based Products Take Root
The recent Plant Based World Expo in New York shows the category is expanding and diversifying By Deanne Moskowitz When the Plant Based Foods Association proclaims that “The future is plant-based,” it may sound self-aggrandizing. But the organization’s second annual trade show, Plant Based World Expo North America—which returned to New York City’s Javits Center on … [Read more...] about Plant-Based Products Take Root
Sound Advice
With his award-winning “Behind The Veil” podcast and YouTube show, event planner Keith Willard encourages others in the industry to forge ahead By Sara Perez Webber If you were looking for advice about what to do after the catering-and-events industry came crashing down in 2019, perhaps you tuned into “Behind The Veil.” Event planner Keith Willard launched the weekly … [Read more...] about Sound Advice
Saying “I-Do’s” with Big To-Dos
As weddings get back into full swing, here are 11 trends to watch for in 2022 By Sara Perez Webber Ring the bells and strike up the band—big weddings are back, and couples are getting ready to splurge as they tie the knot. “Our 2022 clients are ready to celebrate in a big way!” says Amy Ackerman, owner of JDV Occasions in Atlanta. Rachel Burrow, director of weddings … [Read more...] about Saying “I-Do’s” with Big To-Dos
