Over the past few months we have been working hard to bring the FCSI in the UK back together, and now with our new chairman and board we are now in a good place to re-build in a meaningful and positive way.
We have set a date for our next meeting for the 8th of December, and this will be held on the 6th floor of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in Portland Place, London. We will start at 10.00 am with tea/coffee and reception, then have a short meeting to set out our plans for 2017, followed by a three course lunch and a tour of this iconic building and architectural exhibition, which I am sure will be of great interest to you all. To book for this, please let me know as soon as possible.
We are already working on expanding our consultant membership, and indeed have invited a good number of new consultants and prospective members to the event on the 8th of December so that they can network with everyone and find out more about the FCSI.
We have been re-establishing contact with FCSI EAME and Worldwide, and also other associations, and I am pleased that we are still able to offer free places to consultant members at the CESA Conference in November, and also the CEDA Conference next March. If you haven’t booked for the CESA Conference yet, there is still time. We are also hopeful of negotiating places at the EAME Conference in Vienna next April for our consultant members. We are now in the process of establishing connections with other associations and bodies that cover different areas of the foodservice industry, in the hope that this will lead to further collaboration and benefits for all members. We will be working hard to show project managers and architects the importance of requesting an FCSI member, and also get more involved in challenging and leading legislation and white papers.
We are just about to put a call out for articles for Aspire magazine, which will be published early in the New Year, and I am sure you are aware, Foodservice Consultant magazine are always looking for stories from members and details of projects to feature both in the publication and on the website.
We are often asked for quotes or information from FCSI members for other industry magazines, such as The Caterer, Hospitality, B&I, Cost Sector Catering, Educatering and Foodservice Equipment Journal, and this is an area which we hope to expand upon in the coming months, so that the FCSI is seen to be the association to go to as the experts in their field. We are also able to offer various speaker slots at conferences and shows throughout the year, for you to showcase your business and projects.
I very much hope that you can make the meeting on the 8th of December, and give your support to the FCSI at this very exciting time.
Julian Edwards FCSI
