2024 Food Show: A Showcase of Innovation, Partnerships, and Strategic Focus
October 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
At Guest Services, Inc., our commitment to excellence and fostering long-term relationships is brought to life at our Annual Food Show. This event serves as a platform for engagement, innovation, and collaboration, connecting employees, vendors, and key partners. With a successful show behind us, our CEO Nico Foris and leaders from the purchasing team, Oscar Rodriguez and Jennifer Willingham, reflected on the highlights and the strategic importance of this unique gathering.
A Year of Growth and Opportunity
Nico Foris opened the event with the “State of the Onion,” where he discussed the company’s performance through the end of the third quarter. He highlighted progress across divisions such as Contract Food Services & Business Dining, DC Metro and Recreation Operations, Hospitality, and Property and Condominium Management. “It’s been a year of exciting developments,” Nico shared, pointing to the success of new contracts and significant wins, including Wekiwa State Park in Florida and five new ultra-luxury condominium management contracts. These victories are a testament to our focus on organic growth and our commitment to core competencies in food and beverage, state and national parks, and property management.
Nico also emphasized that this strategic focus will continue to drive our future. “The opportunities ahead are clear,” he said, “and our dedication to sustainability and social responsibility remains a key pillar of our approach.”
The Heart of the Food Show: Vendor Relationships
Oscar Rodriguez, Director of Purchasing, and Jennifer Willingham, Purchasing Analyst, underscored the Food Show’s role in strengthening relationships between GSI employees and our vendors. “The Food Show is an event where our key suppliers and partners can engage directly with our managers and culinary teams,” said Oscar. “Due to the nature of many of our units—high-security locations spread across the country—this event creates a vital touchpoint for direct communication with vendors.”
Vendors appreciate the opportunity to showcase their products and address any questions or concerns in person, a sentiment echoed by Jennifer, who pointed out the enthusiastic participation this year. “Our vendors and brokers noticed an increased level of engagement from our units,” she shared. “Attendance and interaction were higher than we’ve seen since the pandemic, and we received follow-up requests for visits and product samplings from many of our vendors.”
What Made This Year Different?
The 2024 Food Show saw unprecedented engagement, which Oscar and Jennifer attributed to a renewed sense of connection post-pandemic. “The energy was different this year,” Jennifer noted. “People were excited to reconnect, and there was a lot of meaningful dialogue between vendors and our units.”
This heightened level of interaction wasn’t just anecdotal. Many vendors reached out after the event to request further conversations and site visits, a clear indication that the Food Show continues to be a critical event for maintaining and nurturing the relationships that drive our success.
Missed the Event? There Are Resources Available!
While the Food Show is a crucial event, Oscar and Jennifer both emphasized that it’s equally important for those who couldn’t attend to stay engaged. “If you missed the show, please refer to the follow-up newsletter emails from the purchasing department and check the Intranet for vendor contact information,” Oscar suggested. “It’s vital to maintain communication with our vendors, even if you can’t be there in person.”
Jennifer echoed this advice: “Our vendors invest a great deal of time and resources into attending the Food Show, and it’s important to show our commitment to their programs year-round.” She encouraged units to review the purchasing section of the Intranet for updates and to reach out directly to vendors to schedule visits.
A Special Thanks to the Team Behind the Show
As the event came to a close, Nico Foris gave special recognition to Oscar Rodriguez and Jennifer Willingham for their leadership in executing such a successful show. “It’s the hard work and dedication of our team members that make events like this possible,” he said, praising their efforts to bring together our partners and employees for a productive, engaging event.
The Annual Food Show is more than just an event—it’s a reflection of GSI’s strategic focus on growth, innovation, and building lasting relationships. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our teams and partners, we’re well-positioned to continue this trajectory of success into the future.