SATURDAY, JANUARY 9
7:30 am–5:00 pm
Registration
8:00 am–12:00 pm
SNS Credentialing Exam
SNA’s Credentialing Program was created to enhance the professional image of leaders in school foodservice and nutrition. To register for the exam, contact the SNA Service Center at (800) 877-8822. For more information about the program and eligibility, visit www.schoolnutrition.org and click on Career & Education. The registration deadline for this exam is December 19, 2009.
1:00 pm–5:00 pm
MAJOR CITY DIRECTORS/DISTRICT DIRECTORS/SUPERVISORS PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION
Managing for Results: A Performance Measurement and Benchmarking Project
Speakers: Robert Carlson, Director of Management Services, Council of the Great City Schools; Michael Eugene, Chief Operating Officer, Orange County (Fla.) Public Schools
The Council of the Great City Schools is an association of the largest 65 urban school districts. Part of their work includes conducting reviews of district programs, including foodservice. Learn what they look for and how to step up your program to measure up. The Council also has administered benchmarking surveys for the past four years. Come hear about their results, including key performance indicators and best practices. Cost: $99; CEUs: 4
SUNDAY, JANUARY 10
7:00 am–5:00 pm
Registration
CyberStop Café
For your convenience, computers with Internet access will be available to you throughout CNIC. Log on to SNA’s website, www.schoolnutrition.org; check your e-mail; register for upcoming SNA conferences; and surf the web.
8:00 am–8:50 am
First-Timers Session
Speakers: Mimi Ford, National Sales Manager-Education, J&J Snack Foods; Mary Owens, SNS, Coordinator of Operations, Jefferson County (Ky.) School District
From first-timers who are new to the CNIC experience to the veterans eager to welcome newcomers, this information-gathering session will guide you in the right direction in order to make the most of this conference. Get a rundown of the highlights and events and participate in sharing questions or success stories. Don’t miss this fun networking event!
9:00 am–10:30 am
OPENING GENERAL SESSION
School District 101: A Day in the Life of a Big City Chief Operating Officer
Speaker: Michael Eugene, Chief Operating Officer, Orange County (Fla.) Public Schools
Ever wonder why your school district’s projects always seem to get stuck in red tape while other districts sail through? In this session, Michael Eugene, former business manager for Los Angeles Unified School District and current COO of Orange County (Fla.) Public Schools, will share insights that will help operators and directors navigate “the system.” Learn how foodservice programs are measured in the eyes of administrators and what the priorities are for the school district administration.
10:30 am–11:00 am
Innovation Stations 101
Speakers: Lynn Burke, School Business Development Manager, Campbell Soup Company; Jean Ronnei, Director, Saint Paul (Minn.) Public Schools
This session will explain the new format for Innovation Stations (previously known as What’s New For You sessions), and how you can make the most of your visits with industry representatives.
11:15 am–12:15 pm
Innovation Stations
Innovation Stations is an exciting series of 15-minute mini-sessions that will introduce school nutrition professionals to a variety of innovative products and services either in development or recently introduced to the school market. This new and improved “speed dating”-type format allows you to meet with three companies in a single 45-minute time period. Each session provides valuable “face” time between operators and industry presenters, including Q&A opportunities, product demonstrations, food sampling and operator feedback. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, make contacts and glean fresh idea
11:15 am–12:15 pm
Industry Information Session
Don't fall short of the green! Putt your way to school nutrition success by stopping by one of these five industry-focused sessions, where you will learn everything you need to know about the multi-billion-dollar school nutrition market. This year’s sessions will include a variety of topics, as well as an opportunity for industry to discuss key issues with a panel of directors.
12:30 pm–2:00 pm
"Meet and Greet" Progressive Lunch
This is a unique opportunity for school nutrition professionals and industry representatives to join in on an innovative, facilitated discussion examining the critical issues impacting the K-12 school nutrition segment. Be prepared to switch tables and examine a different challenge with each dish served!
2:00 pm–3:30 pm
GENERAL SESSION
Creating Buzz with Successful Partnerships
Speakers: Mike Daly, President, Daly & DeRoma Group; Tony Geraci, Director, Baltimore City (Md.) Public Schools; Toni Liquori, President and Founder, Liquori and Associates, LLC
Learn how operators, industry and non-profits have worked together through School Food FOCUS, a national initiative funded by W.K. Kellogg Foundation. From New York to Los Angeles to Atlanta, FOCUS represents 21 districts nationwide, all working together to transform the foods served to children. Discover how to start your own mega-garden and watch a video of an “Extreme Cafeteria Makeover” at a Minnesota school to gain tips on maximizing the visibility of your district’s operation.
3:45 pm–4:45 pm
Innovation Stations ● Industry Information Session
See descriptions above.
6:30 pm–9:30 pm
21st Annual FAME Awards and Dinner
Brought to you by Basic American Foods, Schwan’s Food Service and Tyson Foods
The stars of school nutrition will be shining brightly at the Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Awards ceremony. Several school nutrition professionals will receive awards for their unparalleled leadership, service and spirit.
A reception begins at 6:30 pm in the Champions Ballroom, followed by dinner and the FAME Awards ceremony. End the evening with a dessert party. Look for more details in your onsite conference packet. Make sure the FAME Awards are on your CNIC agenda, as it’s sure to be an evening to remember. (NOTE: All conference participants, including industry representatives, are invited.)
MONDAY, JANUARY 11
7:00 am–7:50 am
Breakfast Buffet
7:00 am–5:00 pm
Registration
8:00 am–10:30 am
GENERAL SESSION
New World Expectations: No Hormones, No Preservatives, Go Green and Turn a Few Cartwheels!
Keynote Speaker: Ann Cooper, Director, Boulder Valley (Colo.) School District
Directors Panel: Jody Houston, SNS, Director, Corpus Christi (Texas) Independent School District; Jennifer LeBarre, Director, Oakland (Calif.) Unified School District
The public is expecting a lot more out of school meal programs these days and operators and industry alike are feeling the pressure. Come hear from director’s who have faced these demands and learn what is being done in districts around the country. Also, Chef Ann Cooper will present her Lunch Box project, a program developed with funding from the Kellogg Foundation to provide the elements needed to transition a processed food-based K-12 school meal program to a whole foods environment where food is procured locally and prepared from scratch. Chef Ann will describe how this set of tools will encompass all aspects of examining, learning about and actually implementing this kind of program.
10:45 am–11:45 am
Innovation Stations ● Industry Information Session
See descriptions above.
11:45 am–1:15 pm
Networking Lunch
Enjoy lunch and conversation with an industry host and a table full of your school nutrition peers.
1:15 pm–2:45 pm
GENERAL SESSION
Creative Strategies for School Foodservice Success
Speaker: Susan Wandell, Innovation Process Facilitator, Ideas To Go, Inc.
In this brainstorming exercise lead by Susan Wandell, Innovation Process Facilitator for Ideas to Go, participants will work together to identify the best opportunities to enhance school nutrition operations. Ideas will be generated through a variety of exercises exploring targeted areas, such as: Enhancing the Basics (i.e. how to optimize what is currently being served); Cutting-Edge Menu Items (e.g. ethnic foods); and School Breakfast Programs.
3:00 pm–4:00 pm
Innovation Stations ● Industry Information Session
See descriptions above.
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
GENERAL SESSION
Purchasing & Operations Strategies to Save Money and Reduce Stress
Speakers: Allison Bradford, SNS, Director, Anoka-Hennepin School District, Anoka, Minn.; Deborah Owens, Director of Training & Quality Assurance, Dallas (Texas) Independent School District
Making adjustments to your purchasing and operational practices can result in big savings and ultimately less hassle overall. This session will provide information and specific strategies to help you determine what types of changes can be made within your own program to simplify operations and lower your overall costs.
5:00 pm–6:30 pm
"The 19th Hole" Networking Reception and Volunteer Activity
Jumpstart your networking by joining your colleagues for a fun golf and charity event! To help assemble baskets that will benefit a local children’s charity, school nutrition operators and industry partners will be encouraged to form teams and work together. Next, teams will head to miniature putting greens and tee off in a healthy round of competition. Light refreshments will be provided.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12
7:00 am–7:50 am
Breakfast Buffet
7:00 am–1:00 pm
Registration
8:00 am–9:30 am
GENERAL SESSION
Indirect Costs & Charge Meals: What’s the Law, What’s the Practice and
What to Do About It
Speakers: Mary Kate Harrison, SNS, Hillsborough County (Fla.) School District; Mary Swift, SNS, Director, Albuquerque (N.M.) Public Schools
This session will showcase some specific cases about both of these confusing and controversial issues. You will hear about one state policy that relieves foodservice operations of responsibility for delinquent meal charges. Across the country, another foodservice director was the focus of a national media firestorm when she tried to rein in meal charge expenses, and she will be on hand to share her experiences. And learn what the Council of Great City Schools has discovered about the median indirect costs of large districts and how these impact meals served.
9:45 am–10:45 am
Innovation Stations ● Industry Information Session
See descriptions above.
11:00 am–1:00 pm
CLOSING GENERAL SESSION
The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders
Keynote Speaker: Ira Chaleff, President and Founder, Executive Coaching & Consulting Associates
Leadership is not the end all, be all, followers have a role to play as well. Leaders need to surround themselves not with "yes men" but with professionals who will be genuine partners for organizational success. These partners, or "courageous followers," will provide both support and honest feedback about the leadership's decisions and actions so these can be improved, just as a leader expects improvement from those below. Whether you consider yourself a leader or a follower, come to this session and listen as Ira Chaleff, author of The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders, helps you discover new skills that will impact your personal and professional growth.