SEFA ANNUAL CONFERENCE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Member-supplier meetings and relationship building were key components of Supply & Equipment Foodservice Alliance’s 25th Annual Partnership Conference in Maui, Hawaii. April 11-15. The buying group’s conference was highlighted by SEFA’s annual awards banquet, which saw 31 members and suppliers honored for their excellence in the industry and in SEFA in 2010.

Member of the Year was awarded to Johnson-Lancaster and Associates, for their productivity and leadership within the foodservice industry and SEFA community. The Supplier of the Year honor went to The Vollrath Co.

Two executive of the year awards were presented. Jim Hanson, Best Restaurant Equipment, was honored for Integrity, Honor and Industry Leadership; Jim Reid, SEFA, was honored for Integrity, Honor and SEFA Leadership.  Trainer of the Year was Ray Poche, The Vollrath Co.; the soon-to-retire Rick Anger, Hatco, was honored with the Spirit of Success award for his enthusiasm and loyalty.

 Dealer awards were presented to 17 member companies:

• Breakthrough Growth: Action Sales, Ashland Equipment, Great Lakes Hotel Supply
• Soaring to New Heights:  Instawares
• President’s Club, Leadership and Growth: Culinary Depot, Penn Jersey Paper
• Longest Growth Streak: Restaurant Depot/Jetro Cash ‘N Carry
• Journey Award: Dean Supply
• The Insider:  Oswalt Restaurant Supply
• Great Start Award: DePalo & Sons
• SEFA High Achievers:  Globe Equipment Co., J&E Restaurant Supply, Serv-U, Thompson & Little
• SEFA Circle of Excellence (Outstanding Growth): Anchorage Restaurant Supply, CWD Distributing, Grover Brothers

Eight manufacturers won awards. Outstanding Supplier honors, recognizing training, support and service, were given to Vulcan FEG (cooking); True Food Service (refrigeration); Cambro Mfg. (enterprising solutions); Hatco Corp. (light equipment); Tuxton China (tabletop); and Focus Foodservice (supplies).

Manitowoc Cos. received SEFA’s Partners in Success award. Carlisle Foodservice Products won Marketer of the Year.

SEFA, headed by its founder, Tedde Reid, is based in South Barrington, Ill. More details and photos are at www.sefa.com.

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