Connect and collaborate at SNA’s School Nutrition Industry Conference (SNIC), the most innovative conference in school nutrition!
January 15-17, 2023 | San Diego, California
Due to popular demand, #SNIC23 is at capacity. To join the wait list for registration, please click here.

Event Details
Where better to kick off the new year and discover a fresh take on school nutrition than sunny San Diego, California? SNIC is returning to a non-hybrid, in-person experience this year, carrying on a long tradition of bringing School Nutrition (SN) operators and Industry together to find new solutions that better serve students healthy, delicious meals.
Need help convincing your supervisor to send you to #SNIC23? Download and customize this letter outlining the professional development benefits you’ll receive by attending this conference.
Click here for the #SNIC23 Schedule at a Glance.
This year’s fresh focus includes:
- Fresh ideas and innovation: From innovative ways to manage supply chain challenges to the latest trends in school nutrition, this is the conference where ideas start to become a reality.
- Fresh perspectives on supply chain: With a year of supply chain woes under our belt, the SN community has come up with some brilliant ideas to get ahead of the chain. Learn how industry and operators are staying ahead of the uncertainties, and share your great ideas, too.
- Trailblazing school nutrition chefs
- Sustainability solutions: Join us for conversations on minimizing food waste through “upcycling.”
- Implications of expired free meal federal waivers. We’ll come together to take stock on the current state of school nutrition and participation trends, then discuss solutions to simplify barriers to school nutrition growth. >
- How to increase participation is top of mind for both industry and operators. We’ll discuss innovative practices from menu ideas to marketing to increasing a la carte sales.
- Supporting Employee Well-Being and Mental Health. We’ll face the crux of employee well-being and satisfaction while acknowledging continued staffing issues, and how to lead your team during challenging times.>
The schedule and sessions are subject to change.
Experience Farm-to-School with a Local Dairy Farm
Due to weather, this pre-con will no longer take place on the farm. Instead, it will be held on-site at the hotel with breakfast, beginning in the Shorebreak room at 8 am.
Saturday, January 14, 2023
8 am—11:30 am
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at a local dairy farm to see how farmers and the dairy community bring dairy foods to schools and contribute to child health, school nutrition and sustainable food systems. Located in San Diego County, Konyn Dairy Farm is a family-run business focused on producing the highest-quality products while demonstrating a commitment to animal and soil health using sustainable agriculture techniques. You will learn about the main functions of a modern dairy farm with topics, such as cow and calf care, milking parlors, pasteurization and local farm-to-school efforts, as well as dairy’s role in school meals. In addition, you will get to tour the Dairy Council of California’s Mobile Dairy Classroom. They are bringing a COW to YOU!
Fee: $125 per person, includes breakfast
CEUs: 3.0
A Tour of San Diego Unified School Nutrition Program’s Innovations
Saturday, January 14, 2023
10:00 am—1:00 pm (includes travel time on bus)
To join the waitlist, please visit https://form.jotform.com/223074496306962.
Visit one of the most innovative districts in the country, including its state-of-the-art middle school, the Central Wilson Complex, complete with exhibition grill stations. Learn about their focus on scratch-cooking in their production kitchens, and explore their partnerships and key programs, including the garden-to-cafeteria program, “Love Food; Not Waste,” Farm to School, and Nutrition Education. AT CAPACITY (contact meetings@schoolnutrition.org to be placed on the waitlist. You will be contacted in order of receipt if spaces open up.)
Fee: $199 per person, includes round-trip bus ride and school lunch.
CEUs: 2.0
Roundtable Discussion: Hot Topics in School Nutrition
Saturday, January 14, 2023
2:30 pm—4:30 pm
As the past three years have shown, it seems like there is no challenge school nutrition professionals cannot conquer. Current emerging hot topics for the 2022-2023 school year include staffing challenges, inflation, decreased participation rates, unpaid meal debt, changing regulations and ongoing supply chain issues. We also know that talking through these issues with a community of dedicated professionals is a proactive way to remain solution-oriented.
By the time we gather in January, the hot topics of the moment may shift, and new ones will emerge. Join us for a facilitated conversation around the hot topics of the moment as we brainstorm solutions together. Limited seating. First come, first served.
Fee: $79 per person
CEUs: 2.0
Opening General Session
Shaping the Future of School Nutrition Together
8:30 am—10:00 am Sunday, January 15
Keynote Speaker: Kaihan Krippendorff
As a successful entrepreneur, author, consultant and CEO, Kaihan Krippendorff has worked with and studied thousands of companies and the different approaches they take to drive growth, serve customers better, foster innovation, and set themselves apart from any competition . How can some companies continually adapt to new environments and refine a strategy for success today and in the future?
The answer is they have a repeatable process and common language that can be learned and taught.
Based on his book, Outthink the Competition, Kaihan Krippendorff will deliver a keynote that blends first-hand stories of inspiring businesses and employee innovators in education, nutrition, and beyond that will entertain and energize. Kaihan will teach a systematic process and proven set of tools he has used with more than 300 clients in near every industry to create innovative strategies and generate “Fourth Option” ideas. Put these proven ideas into practice by imagining possible futures for school nutrition with your peers. Leave with tools and ideas that can be immediately implemented to increase efficiency, grow revenue, better serve students and customers, and shape the future of school nutrition programs.
What you can expect:
- Learn the Outthinker Process (IDEAS) and generate a portfolio of ideas to shape positive change across all areas in and around the business of school nutrition
- Identify a “Fourth Option”: the option beyond the obvious choices that can transform your business and school nutrition
- The Outthinker Playbook – The five stratagems successful companies today use most often
- Master a simple approach to avoid killing off “crazy” (valuable) ideas
- Build a culture of Outthinking that celebrates fresh strategic and innovative ideas and thinking
- Leave feeling re-energized and optimistic that you have practical new tools to be a School Nutrition Change Agent
Sponsored by LINQ
Fresh Perspectives on Supply Chain
3:00 pm—4:15 pm Sunday, January 15
The global supply chain continues to be strained, impacting K-12 industry partners like never before. Labor and supply shortages, along with rising prices, have created various challenges for K-12 school nutrition operators as well. Join supply chain experts outside of K-12 who will provide the big picture around current supply chain issues, commodity trends and inflation impacts. With a fuller view of the supply chain, industry and operators can manage, forecast and mitigate these issues more readily.
Creating a Culture of Supporting Employee Well-Being
8:45 am—10:00 am Monday, January 16
Speaker: Nabil El-Ghoroury, PhD, CAE
The last few years shone a light on the most challenging parts of work, while at the same time allowing us to witness the best in people and in teams. What school nutrition professionals experienced was daunting and unprecedented: from schools closing for many months due to the pandemic resulting in school nutrition professionals having to pivot to curbside feeding to staffing challenges, to supply chain and inflationary issues. All of this, coupled with ongoing uncertainty that is negatively impacting people’s livelihoods. No one in our community—from cooks and cafeteria managers to district directors and industry members—has been immune to this massive disruption.
Organizations and teams that survive and thrive under these circumstances have one thing in common: a culture that supports employees’ well-being. But how do we build a culture that prioritizes employee well-being? During this session, Dr. El-Ghoroury will explore how social connection, mindfulness, healthy habits, “closing rituals,” and workload management can guide us in the direction of employee well-being. Attendees will learn a series of techniques to improve the feeling of belonging, positivity and trust in the workplace while reducing stress and burnout and increasing employee retention. Through table discussions, together we will tackle how to put these ideas into practice and share unique ways school nutrition professionals around the country can support employee well-being.
Sponsored by PrimeroEdge + SchoolCafé
Bias Aware Language: Use and Promote Inclusive Communication (Part of SNA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Series)
School Nutrition Program Updates and Listening Session with USDA
4:00 pm—5:00 pm Monday, January 16
Join us to hear a brief USDA update, followed by a listening session where attendees can provide feedback and share key challenges. All are welcome to this open forum.
Chef Trends Worth Trying
10:30 am—11:45 am Tuesday, January 17
Join a panel of some of school nutrition's trailblazing chefs to hear their best practices for developing on-trend school menus and recipes, as well as tips and tricks the chefs have used to still provide great meals to students while dealing with labor and supply shortages.
Kaihan Krippendorff is committed to helping organizations and individuals thrive in today’s era of fast-paced disruptive technological change. Recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the top innovation thought leaders in the world, Kaihan is known for his ability to turn difficult concepts into easy-to-understand ideas that drive meaningful outcomes and actions.
Kaihan is a trusted advisor known for facilitating powerful conversations that create strategic clarity and yield actionable and impactful ideas for this diverse cross-industry group. He began his career with McKinsey & Company before founding growth strategy and innovation consulting firm Outthinker, an exclusive network of Chief Strategy Officers and executives from leading organizations. His growth strategies and innovations have generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue for many of the world’s most recognizable companies including BNY Mellon, Citibank, L’Oréal, Microsoft, Pfizer and Verizon.
Amidst a dizzying schedule of keynote speeches, consulting projects and ongoing research, Kaihan finds time to teach at business schools globally (including NYU and FIU), write regularly for Fast Company and other major media outlets and play an active role on four corporate advisory boards.
Sponsored by LINQ
Keynote will be followed by a breakout workshop for industry members and an online workshop for all attendees.
Nabil El-Ghoroury, PhD, CAE, is a licensed psychologist and principal at Executive Therapy & Consulting. Prior to launching his practice, he served as Executive Director of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and as the Director of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students at the American Psychological Association. Nabil’s topics of expertise include self-care for the CEO, transforming work culture and health disparities in autism. He is bilingual (English/Spanish) and has spoken on five continents. Nabil earned his PhD in clinical psychology from Binghamton University and is licensed in Ohio and Virginia.
Sponsored by PrimeroEdge + SchoolCafé
Welcome Reception
5:30 pm—7:00 pm Saturday, January 14
Come clink a drink and nosh on apps while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere to connect and reconnect with a network of #SNIC23 attendees.
Sponsored by Cool Tropics and Buena Vista Foods
SNS Credentialing Exam
9:00 am—1:00 pm Saturday, January 14, 2023
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Ready to earn your School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential? Take the exam at SNIC 2023. Registration, approval and payment must be made in advance and cannot be done on site. Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/sns to register or email certSNS@schoolnutrition.org.
Fees
- Member: $225
- Non-member: $325
Registration deadline: January 3, 2023
Networking Lunch
11:45 am—1:15 pm Sunday, January 15, 2023
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Catch up with old friends, meet new colleagues, reconnect with industry partners and network while enjoying a delicious lunch at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Thank you to all of SNA’s Patrons for treating everyone to lunch!
Meetups by District Size
4:30 pm—5:00 pm Sunday, January 15, 2023
After a whirlwind day of learning, you might be left with a lot of thoughts and opinions on the matter. SNA has designed meetups after the general session so that you can discuss your takeaways and implications for your district with other attendees from a similar district size. Join us for a moderated discussion and leave with a stronger game plan.
FAME Awards and Dinner
6:00 pm—9:30 pm Sunday, January 15, 2023
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
The stars of school nutrition will shine at the Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Awards, where operators and industry will come together to honor these outstanding leaders in the school nutrition profession for their innovation and service. The reception begins at 6 p.m. Sunday, January 15, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. Learn More
Hosted by Basic American Foods
STEPS Strive to Thrive Wellness Challenge!
6:30 am—7:15 am Monday, January 16, 2023
The SNA Strive to Thrive Wellness App, sponsored by Jennie-O Turkey Store, was designed to enhance your physical and mental health, and keep you moving in the right direction, step by step, activity by activity. Download the app today and take part in the current wellness challenge to get warmed up!
Join us onsite on Monday at 6:30 am to practice yoga and start your day off with peace of mind while watching the beautiful sunrise from an amazing view that overlooks the Marina Tower with landscapes of the waterfront.
Sponsored by Jennie-O Turkey Store
Breakfast
7:15 am—8:45 am Monday, January 16
Sponsored by General Mills Convenience & Foodservice
Networking Lunch with Tabletop Showcase
12:30 pm—2:30 pm Monday, January 16, 2023
Enjoy a delicious lunch and visit all the tabletop displays placed around the room. Your industry partners are here to show you a variety of products, services and the latest technology available to help you take your school nutrition program to the next level.
Meetups by District Size
8:15 am—8:45 am Tuesday, January 17, 2023
After a whirlwind day of learning, you might be left with a lot of thoughts and opinions on the matter. SNA has designed meetups after the general session so that you can discuss your takeaways and implications for your district with other attendees from a similar district size. Join us for a moderated discussion and leave with a stronger game plan.
Interactive 60-minute sessions on some of the hottest topics in school nutrition.
Check back for more sessions to be added in the coming weeks.
Re-creating Our School Menus—Back by Popular Demand from #ANC22
10:15 am—11:00 am Monday, January 16, 2023
Speaker: Candice Crump, MS, RD
Are you fighting a losing battle against supply chain shortages? Do you prepare a monthly menu only to discover your staple items are unavailable? This education session will be led by a school nutrition director from a medium-sized district, who will provide tips, strategies and key performance indicators for managing a school menu with food supply disruptions. You’ll also gain insight on recreating a menu that follows the meal pattern regulations and does not significantly impact your operation or budget. We will also discuss recipes and menu ideas incorporating budget friendly speed-scratch cooking that maintains meal pattern requirements.
USDA Foods: Its Role in Your Program’s Finances
10:15 am—11:00 am Monday, January 16, 2023
Speaker: Lena Wilson, MS, RD, SNS
Moderator: Jose Quinones
Working with USDA Foods is an important part of running a fiscally sound operation. Along with useful USDA reimbursement and entitlement information, your peers will act out common, but nuanced case studies to bring this session and important subject to life! Listen to a few difficult to navigate scenarios and engage in audience discussion.
Part of ACDA and SNA’s USDA Foods Series
The Upcycled Food Movement - Creating Value from Waste
10:15 am – 11:00 am Monday, January 16, 2022
Speaker: Lara Ramdin
In 2019, the US let a whopping 35% of the 229 million tons of food available go unsold or uneaten. While some of this food is donated, the vast majority goes to landfill, incineration or is left in the fields to rot. This is heartbreaking when you consider that around 9 million children are experiencing food insecurity.
Come and learn about the UPCYCLED movement. “Upcycled” is taking food that would usually go to landfill and instead creating a new food ingredient or product. Learn how numerous US businesses are creating circularity in our food system, increasing nutrition accessibility/availability, and reducing the impact on the planet. Join us in thinking about the big picture - be inspired and imagine a more sustainable future food system.
A Broad Perspective on Supply Chain Challenges
10:15 am – 11:00 am Monday, January 16, 2022
Speaker: Dr. Marsha Rose
Join supply chain expert Dr. Marsha Rose to dig deeper into the factors influencing supply chain challenges across the country and in K-12. Discuss the outlook for the future and the challenges and solutions ahead
Presenting Your Program Realities to Admin and Boards 2.0
9:15 am—10:00 am Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Speakers: Sara Gasiorowski, SNS; Jean Ronnei, SNS, and a School Nutrition Director (to be announced!)
Now more than ever, it’s vital that school administrators and School Board members clearly understand the realities of operating school nutrition programs. During this session, we will share a host of customizable slides to help you share your story including national trends, key district metrics, staffing implications, and ways to showcase school meals and school nutrition staff. You’ll learn tricks of the trade from operators and former SNA board members on how to present yourself, your team and your program in the best light—and how to handle those pesky nerves, too.
Bringing LEAD to Succeed to Your Team
9:15 am—10:00 am Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Speaker: Laura Bullene Jacobo, SNS
Join us to learn more about the School Nutrition Foundation’s high-quality LEAD to Succeed™ training, which includes conflict management, listening skills, storytelling, enhancing your professional image and much more. Discover how you can use this new educational material to train your staff or even provide a no-cost state training, too. We’ll also review one LEAD to Succeed ™ component in more detail, so you can see just how easy it is to provide this valuable professional development opportunity to your team. This session is funded by a grant from USDA.
Collaborative Purchasing: A Panel Discussion
9:00 am—10:00 am Tuesday, January 17
Collaborative purchasing comes in different forms and is an efficient approach to procurement. This session, featuring three different purchasing groups, will touch on the types of collaborative purchasing options available. Learn tips and tricks of a finely tuned co-op, one that communicates regularly with stakeholders and fine-tunes the forecasting process. With supply chain issues throwing a wrench in the works, for even the most seasoned co-ops, this experienced panel will share tools to stay on course.
These popular fast-paced learning sessions are focused on singular innovations. Trace the path of a big idea from concept to implementation, identifying the steps to put the idea to work in your operation.
Check back for more sessions that will be added in the coming weeks.
Picture This: Increasing access and meal participation through picture menus
10:15 am—11:00 am Monday, January 16
Speaker(s): Juliana Fisher, MS, RDN, CD, SNS
We eat with our eyes, and so do our students! Learn how one district developed a database of meal tray photos allowing daily menus to be worth a thousand words! Find out how communication through photos can help increase accessibility, stakeholder engagement and participation in school meals.
Connecting with your Community and Increasing Participation
9:15 am—10:00 am Tuesday, January 17
Speaker(s): Lilian Arreguin
Connecting with students and truly understanding the community you serve is paramount to a successful school meal program. One way Keppel Union School District (CA) has increased participation was by focusing on hiring and listening to a diverse staff that reflects the students they serve. Another was focusing on involvement in the community by directly discussing with parents how diversity of flavor doesn’t mean nutritional compromise. Come hear how involving SN staff and community in decisions can lead to greater school buy-in and lunch participation.
Educational content developed especially for industry partners are scheduled concurrent to innovative solution sessions.
Innovating Beyond Your Product: Eight Dimensions of Innovation to Uncover Growth and Competitive Advantage
10:30 am—11:30 am Sunday, January 15
When we say “innovation” we almost always mean “product innovation.” We talk about R&D and possible new solutions to meet unmet needs. This is a one-dimensional and incomplete approach to innovation. Look closely at the most innovative companies of the last decade and you will see that great innovators disrupt their markets by reaching beyond just the core product. Their success more often rests on choices that have little to do with new products.
In this breakout presentation, especially for industry members, successful entrepreneur, author, and former McKinsey consultant Kaihan Krippendorff will entertain you with engaging examples of companies that are outperforming their competition by looking for innovation across eight dimensions. Learn the "8Ps" framework, a powerful structure that will let you and your team systematically explore how you might innovate beyond just a product.
Examples from companies like Urban Outfitters in apparel, IKEA in furniture, VMware in technology, SpaceX in space launch vehicles, Mastercard in payments, and Vistaprint in printing services, will move your mind into motion thinking about where your next competitive advantage may lie.
Learnings from this breakout session include:
- The "8Ps" strategic innovation framework: systematically uncover new avenues for growth, innovation, and transformation
- Positioning
- Product/service mix
- Pricing/fees
- Placement/delivery
- Promotion/client acquisition
- Processes/operations
- Physical experience
- People
- How to construct a disruptive business model or strategy that leverages an underutilized 8P strength
- Leave with ideas of where to grow, improve processes, drive efficiency, grow revenue, cut costs, retain employees, and develop a new competitive advantage
Director’s Panel: A Snapshot of School Nutrition
1:30 pm—2:30 pm Sunday, January 15
With the expiration of federal pandemic waivers, what has been the impact so far on meal participation and a la carte sales? Have supply chain challenges eased? And what is on the horizon—how's the outlook? With more than a quarter of the school year passed already, this panel of directors from large districts will weigh in on meal participation trends and other key indicators. Have a burning question? Pick the panelists’ brains at the end with a Q&A.
Listening Session Especially for Industry with USDA
11:30 am—12:30 pm Monday, January 16
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA has worked together with schools and industry to address challenges regarding supply chain issues. This Listening Session provides an opportunity to talk with USDA staff about short- and long-term strategies for continuing to provide nutritious school meals and navigate K-12 regulatory changes and food procurement. An open forum will be available to discuss more specific school nutrition challenges, opportunities and recommendations related to product development, procurement and industry engagement.
Hotel Accommodations
Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina
1380 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, California 92101-1007
Phone: (619) 846-0622
Check-in: 4 p.m.
Check-out: 12:00 pm
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is located in the heart of the San Diego harbor and is minutes from San Diego International airport. In addition to offering a complimentary airport shuttle, the hotel also offers the following amenities:
- Close proximity to downtown and Gaslamp Quarter
- Fitness center and outdoor bootcamp facility
- Bicycle rentals
- Standup paddleboard lessons & tours
Hotel map
Reservation Information
SNA Discounted Room Rates: $219 per night, Single/Double, plus applicable taxes
REMINDER: Conference registration is required to be able to reserve a room within SNA’s discounted hotel room block. Whether registering online or by email/mail/fax, after you’ve submitted your payment and received your order confirmation, you will be given access to the Housing Reservation system, with a unique housing registration link tied to your individual registration. The School Nutrition Association reserves the right to cancel, without notification, any reservation that does not have a corresponding registration for SNIC 2023.
Rooms are issued on a first-come, first-served basis until December 23, 2022. Please note the SNA discounted rate will not be available after the cut-off date of December 23, 2022, or prior to that date if the room block is full. Please make your reservations early to take advantage of the discounted rate. All rates are subject to all applicable taxes and assessments.
Cancellation policy: Reservations must be canceled ten (10) working days prior to arrival date, and a cancellation number must be obtained to avoid a penalty of one night’s room and tax charge.
Hotel Amenities, Services and Cleaning Protocols
Travel Information
Air Transportation: San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the nearest major airport. The airport is about 0.5 miles from the hotel. When making your airline reservations, feel free to use Corporate Traveler, SNA’s official travel agency. SNA’s dedicated travel manager can be reached at (571) 302-7187 or via email at Rachel.Kronlein@corporatetraveler.us. **Please note that a $30 convenience/booking fee will be assessed by using Corporate Traveler.**
Ground Transportation: The Sheraton San Diego offers a complimentary airport shuttle to and from the San Diego International Airport (SAN). No reservations are needed. From baggage claim, exit the airport, cross the platform and look for the “Courtesy Vehicle” sign. Shuttles run every 15-20 minutes, from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. If you have issues with the hotel shuttle, please call (619) 291-9100 and press 6 for Guest Services. Other options are available, including taxi cabs, shuttle vans, ride share and rental cars.
Parking:
- On-site parking fee: $45 USD per day
- Hourly fee: $16 USD per hour
Travel Information: Due to the changing nature of COVID-19 there is a constant flux of travel restrictions, so please refer to our Traveler Resources Hub for guidance: https://www.corporatetraveler.us/traveler-resource-hub.
Due to popular demand, #SNIC23 is at capacity. To join the wait list for registration, please click here.
REGISTRATION FEES:
- EARLY BIRD RATE—EB (RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE 11/30/22)
- REGULAR RATE—RR (RECEIVED BETWEEN 11/30/22 and 12/09/22)
- ON-SITE RATE—OS (RECEIVED AFTER 12/09/22)
Do not mail/fax registrations. Registrations will only be accepted online.
Membership Categories | EB | RR | OS |
FS Member/Retired Member | $610 | $660 | $700 |
FS Nonmember | $740 | $790 | $830 |
Government Rate (Federal or State) | $610 | $660 | $700 |
Family/Guest* | $560 | $610 | $635 |
Patron (1st Attendee) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Industry Member | $960 | $1,010 | $1,120 |
Industry Nonmember | $1,210 | $1,260 | $1,370 |
One-Day Registration | $575 | $575 | $575 |
*Family/Spouse qualification applies to those individuals who are not in the foodservice industry
If you are registering with points or as a non-member government employee, please register here.
Note: A separate registration is required to attend the 34th Annual FAME Awards Reception & Dinner on Sunday, January 15. (limited availability).
- Dairy Farm Tour: 7:30 am—11:30 am Saturday, January 14. Join us behind-the-scenes of a local dairy farm to see how farmers and the dairy community bring dairy foods from farm to school to contribute to child health, school nutrition and sustainable food systems. Located in San Diego County, Konyn Dairy Farm is a family-run business focused on producing the highest-quality products while demonstrating a commitment to animal health and well-being and soil health using sustainable agriculture techniques. Throughout the tour and on the bus ride, you will learn about the main functions of a modern dairy farm with topics such as cow and calf care, milking parlors, pasteurization and local farm-to-school efforts, as well as dairy’s role in school meals. Join us on this dairy experience. Comfortable shoes are required, and breakfast will be provided on the farm. Separate registration fee required ($199). Space is limited.
- A Tour of San Diego Unified School Nutrition Program’s Innovations: 10:00 am—1:00 pmSaturday, January 14. Visit one of the most innovative districts in the country and a state-of-the-art middle school, the Central Wilson Complex, complete with exhibition grill stations. Learn about their focus on scratch cooking – in their production kitchens. Explore their partnerships and key programs including garden-to-cafeteria program, “Love Food; Not Waste,” Farm to School, and Nutrition Education. Separate registration fee required ($199). Space is limited. To join the waitlist, please visit https://form.jotform.com/223074496306962.
- Hot Topics in School Nutrition: 2:30 pm—4:30 pm Saturday, January 14. As the past three years have shown, there is no challenge school nutrition professionals cannot conquer. Current emerging hot topics for the 2022-2023 school year are staffing challenges, inflation, decreased participation rates, unpaid meal debt, changing regulations, and ongoing supply chain issues. We also know that talking through these issues, with a community of dedicated professionals, is a proactive way to remain solution oriented. By the time we gather in January, the hot topics of the moment may shift, and new ones will emerge. Join us for a facilitated conversation around the hot topics of the moment as we brainstorm solutions together. Separate registration fee required ($79). Space is limited.
- NETWORKING EVENTS
Saturday, January 14: Welcome Reception - Sunday, January 15: Patron-Sponsored Networking Lunch
- Monday, January 16:
- Networking Lunch with Tabletop Showcase
- Service Activity
- Meet-ups by District Size
Registration Details
Full Registration includes access to all General Sessions and Educational Sessions, Innovative Solution Sessions (FS members only), Industry Education Sessions (Industry members only), Welcome Reception, Networking Lunch, Networking Lunch with Tabletop Showcase, as well as full access to the digital content on the SNIC23 app for up to 30 days post-event.
Confirmation of registration will be sent via email immediately upon processing.
If you registered others, each individual will receive his/her own confirmation. If you have mailed payment, please allow up to two business weeks for processing.
Refunds/Cancellations
We’d hate for you to miss the conference, but if you must, cancellations and requests for refunds must be received in writing by December 9, 2022. Refunds will be processed less a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be made after December 9, 2022, or for NO-SHOWS. Requests may be submitted via email to meetings@schoolnutrition.org
Transfers
If you are unable to attend the conference, you may transfer your registration to another individual within the same organization, provided advance written notice is forwarded to meetings@schoolnutrition.org by January 6. After January 6, you will be asked to make change on site. Please provide your name and the individual’s name to whom you are transferring your registration. No refunds will be made after December 9, 2022, or for NO-SHOWS.
Need to make a change?
To make any changes such as your registration type or contact information, please contact us at meetings@schoolnutrition.org and we’ll be happy to assist you. You can also contact us to register a spouse/family member or to purchase tickets to an event.
Innovative Solution Sessions – SOLD OUT
Tabletop Showcase – SOLD OUT
Enhance Your Onsite Exhibitor Experience
Due to the demand observed over the last two years, exhibitors at #SNIC23 will have the opportunity to use videography vendors to enhance their onsite experience by recording footage for your tabletop display showcase outside of the official exhibiting hours.
To maximize brand exposure for our exhibitors, ensure the safety and well-being of our attendees and minimize disruption, SNA will grant authorized vendors access to the tabletops display showcase on Monday, January 16, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. so they can film and conduct interviews at their tabletops. Video recording and live streaming will be prohibited during exhibit hours and outside this time.
Companies interested in bringing external vendors to film at their tabletops—or vendors interested in working with exhibitors at SNIC—must fill out an application, which will be submitted to SNA Conference staff for approval. If permission is granted, a fee of $500 will be collected by January 6, 2023.
Questions? Please contact Crystal Harper-Pierre, Senior Corporate Sales and Industry Specialist—Exhibits, at charper@schoolnutrition.org.
Thank you to our generous SNIC conference sponsors and Gem Club members.* Sponsorship support is vital to SNA’s efforts to provide valuable educational sessions, and top-notch speakers and to ensure a meaningful and memorable event for all attendees.
Contact Nita Artis, Senior Corporate Sales Specialist, Industry Success & Patron Program, for more details on SNIC sponsorships.
SNIC Conference Sponsors
SNIC Gem Club Sponsors
Diamond Club
Ruby Club
Rich Products
Pearl Club
Cool School Cafe
Duke Manufacturing
J & J Snack Foods Corp.
SFSPac Food Safety & Sanitation System
Traulsen,
Vulcan, a division of ITW/FEG
SFSPac Food Safety & Sanitation System
Winston Foodservice
Click here for SNA's Event Policies
Where is #SNIC23 being held?
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is located in the heart of the San Diego harbor and is minutes from San Diego International airport. In addition to offering a complimentary airport shuttle, the hotel also offers the following amenities:
- Close proximity to downtown and Gaslamp Quarter
- Fitness center and outdoor bootcamp facility
- Bicycle rentals
- Standup paddleboard lessons & tours
Will there be an #SNIC23 mobile app?
Yes, search “SNA Conferences” in Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Sponsored by Schwan’s Foodservice
What type of educational content will be offered?
In addition to general sessions, education sessions and roundtable discussions, look out for the following educational highlights.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS SESSIONS (Sunday, January 15, and Monday, January 16)
- Fifteen (15) companies will present to key decision-makers, share more about the solutions they provide and obtain valuable feedback. Simultaneously, operators will be introduced to the most innovative solutions on the market today.
- Engage in meaningful dialogue with top industry professionals at three one-hour sessions.
- Operator attendees do not need to sign up for these in advance and just because someone adds it to their itinerary on the app, does not mean they are signed up for it. Once rooms fill to capacity, we will need to direct attendees to sessions that have space.
- These are for operators only—industry should attend the industry education session offered at the same time.
IDEAS@WORK SESSIONS (Tuesday, January 17, at 8:45 and 9:30 a.m.)
30-minute fast-paced learning sessions focused on singular innovations. CEUs will be offered for these sessions as well.
Will I get CEUs for attending?
- 8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for SNIC 2023. Attendees should download the training tracker to get credit for their relevant CEUS. The training tracker will be one of the resources in the SNA resources booth in the app.
- Registered Dietitians (RDNs/DTRs) can also earn CPEUs, by using the training tracker. SNA no longer offers CPEU certificates for in-person conferences. According to the Commission of Dietetic Registration's (CDR) Professional Development Portfolio Guide, ANC is eligible for CPEU credit, without a CPEU certificate, and the training tracking is sufficient for RDN/NDTR's CDR Activity Log. For additional information on the CDR Professional Development Portfolio, visit this link.
Will SNIC include any meals?
All events and meals will take place on property, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina unless stated otherwise. Other than the following, attendees are on their own for meals or other refreshments:
- Saturday, January 14: Welcome Reception, 5:30 am—7:00 pm in Eventide Gardens
- Sunday, January 15:
- Patron-Sponsored Networking Lunch, 11:45 am—1:15 pm in Eventide
- Refresh & Recharge Break, 2:30 pm—3:30 pm in the Pacific Jewel Ballroom Foyer
- Monday, January 16:
- General Mills Sponsored Breakfast, 7:15 am—8:45 am in Eventide
- Refresh & Recharge Break, 11:00 am—11:30 am in the Pacific Jewel Ballroom Foyer
- Networking Lunch with Tabletop Showcase, 12:30 pm—2:30 pm in Eventide
- Tuesday, January 18: Breakfast, 7:45 am—8:30 am
Future Meetings
Location | Dates |
---|---|
Orlando, FL | January 14-16, 2024 |
Phoenix, AZ | January 19-21, 2025 |
Austin, TX | January 11-13, 2026 |
Tampa, FL | January 10-12, 2027 |