April 2023 - 12

different perspectives, and it also makes it a lot easier and
simpler in terms of dividing and conquering when it comes
to education sessions at the show. My approach has always
been deciding which team members make the most sense
to attend specific sessions, but also allowing them to choose
one or two they feel passionate about. "
C.J. Recher, vice president of marketing for
Five Star Food Service, Chattanooga:
" Create some goals of what you want to accomplish at the
show. For us, I look at the education session agenda and pick
out as many as I can go to if I don't already have set meetings.
Pick up things that apply in areas that you want to learn
more about. Take a look at the education agenda, pick some
and make sure you attend those sessions. There's lots of
value in that. Then, check out the supplier trade show. See
who's going to be there displaying at the trade show and
make sure to create a plan, who do I want to go see? Set
meetings if you can. "
Linda Saldana, CEO of Seventh Wave
Refreshments, Atlanta area:
" I always do three things when I go to NAMA:
Number one, I always try to bring in a new piece of
equipment, whether it's coffee or whether it's technology.
I want to find something new.
Number two, I try to bring in one new food item, and it
doesn't necessarily have to be a new item that I don't know
about, even though I love that. A new snack with the current
suppliers that we have is fine. Bring something in from the
show. Be intentional.
The third strategy, connect with someone that I didn't
connect with before, whether it's a supplier or an operator.
I've gained so much mentorship from people who have been
in business for 30 to 40 years. "
Linda's dining suggestion in Atlanta: " The Ponce City
Market area (www.poncecitymarket.com) has beautiful
rooftops. They have delicious, amazing restaurants, and the
views and the feel, that vibe of Ponce City Market - it's a
younger destination. Anywhere between west Atlanta and
Ponce City Market, if you put it on Yelp, Ponce City Market,
you'll have a plethora of fun restaurants and activities to do. "
Paul Tullio, Atlanta region, coffee and pantry
specialist at Five Star Food Service:
" The first thing operators should do is get the temperature of
their customers and make sure that they can accommodate
their requests when they're at the NAMA Show. There are
so many different new items, but if you go in there knowing
that your customer is looking for this specific type of dietary
restriction or this specific size pack, you can be more targeted. "
Paul's dining suggestions in Atlanta: " There's a little
place that I love called Mary Macs Tea Room - I highly
recommend it (www.marymacs.com). Very authentic and
amazing Southern cuisine, with many ways to eat it. You can
get a family-style if you've got four or five people together;
they can give you these big plates of fried chicken and grits
and all kinds of delicious Southern options. "
Evan Jarecki, co-founder of Gimme,
Atlanta:
" I think it is beneficial for sure to be
there and to be able to see the new
technologies. It's the place you can
bundle your educational experiences
into one week but supplementing that in
all of the in-between times - and I think
that's where the serendipity happens.
That's where you get a lot of what you
can take back as actionable steps in your
business, and usually, that happens from
a conversation with a peer who's already
taking those steps. "
Evan's dining suggestions in
Photo 155175754 © Dj Jennings | Dreamstime.com
Ponce City Market
12 Automatic Merchandiser * April 2023
Atlanta: " One of my favorite places,
and I am thinking of this in relation
to where the show is physically taking
place as well, is Alma Cocina (www.
alma-atlanta.com). It's a great spot. I
love it.
http://www.poncecitymarket.com http://www.marymacs.com http://www.alma-atlanta.com http://www.Dreamstime.com
April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2023
