Publisher’s Note: Future Forward

Insightful events and opportunities are in this year’s forecast, expects Publisher Randy Hano.

January 2, 2024

I hope you had a terrific holiday. Please accept my best wishes for a healthy and happy 2024! I’m not sure where 2023 went, but there is no time to look back as the new year is kicking off with a bang! MAFSI is holding its annual conference this month, followed by FER’s Multiunit Foodservice Equipment Symposium (MUFES) the last week of January in sunny and warm Fort Lauderdale, Fla. NAFEM’s annual meeting will close things out in early February.

This issue is one of my favorites. We don’t spend a lot of time reflecting on the past, we focus our attention on the future and all the exciting opportunities the year ahead holds. To me, the future looks extremely bright. New and young talent abounds, and with that comes new ideas. Sure, the FE&S industry has its challenges, but that’s nothing new, and in my opinion, we have never been better set up for success.

To me, the future looks extremely bright.

The team at FER has worked tirelessly over the years to not only be your resource but to help all members of the industry innovate and stay ahead of the curve. Our Digital Solutions Group, led by Andy Friedman, has helped many industry veterans and newbies alike navigate the tricky digital landscape. Need strong content, SEO or keyword help? What about help managing your social media channels or creating stronger engagement? Give us a call. “2024 will be all about driving new leads and navigating AI,” according to Andy, and he is here to put our team’s expertise to work for you.

Our annual MUFES event helps operators navigate tricky subject matter and meet directly with manufacturers that can create solutions to their perplexing issues. With more than 50 operators in attendance this year, it’s sure to be the don’t-miss event of the season.

And FER’s print and digital assets continue to help keep you informed and up to speed the minute news breaks. Speaking of breaks, I hope your holiday break was a great one and I’m excited to see you around at many of the events mentioned above.