WSFSA SPRING CONFERENCE

What’s YOUR Wow?
By Sue Malesa, Spring Conference Chair

The blustery spring weather didn’t dampen the excitement at the Spring Conference in Neenah.  Thursday evening provided us with a unique and fascinating opportunity to tour the McCain appetizer plant in Appleton.  We were able to view the peppers, pickles and pound after pound of cream cheese being carefully assembled into those delicious Poppers.  The packaging process and shipping process were equally fascinating.

The McCain school specialists shared their vision for McCain products in the school food service industry.  Our members were given a rare opportunity to taste and evaluate some products that are not on the market yet.  We offered our opinions and comments, which will be used to further develop the product to meet our needs in school food service.

The tour was followed by a beautiful and plentiful food show provided by our industry partners. Not only were we offered the chance to sample the latest in products, but have the opportunity to talk to the various vendors about our needs and concerns.  A special thanks to the food and beverage staff at the Bridgewood Conference Center for allowing us to “share” their kitchen space for the evening.

Friday we really got down to the “nuts and bolts” of the marketing topic of the conference.  Susan Peterman provided a DPI update and also mediated a panel of directors who have schools involved in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program.  Thanks to those directors who shared their experiences with us!  Your dedication to the children in Wisconsin will represent us well as we move through this pilot program.

We were treated to a panel discussion with Sue Baier, Green Bay School District; Francha Dallman, St. John’s Lutheran School in Plymouth; and Ann Engelhard, Marketing Director, Twin City Catholic Educational System.  They shared some of their own marketing success and failure stories.  Thanks for your willingness to participate.

The afternoon was filled with an exciting workshop presented by Debra Schmidt, The Loyalty Leader.  Deb walked us through a “Blueprint for Success” for developing a marketing plan that will work for our food service program.  Members were provided with a very user-friendly guide to the many options available to us to create marketing strategy that is painless and will produce results.  The afternoon was completed with a program called “What’s Your WOW.”  This helped us become aware of the great successes we do have in our programs, and how we can share those successes with our parents, students and community. 

This conference provided members with great networking opportunities and useful and practical marketing strategies.   A special thanks to all those who helped make this conference possible.  It was a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of this successful conference.  Looking forward to seeing all of you this summer in Green Bay!