“Our team has put a tremendous amount of effort into making it special, fun and invigorating. We’re excited to have everyone attend.”


— Eva-Marie Fox, CFSP NAFEM’s Show Chair and President-Elect


North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM)


also be showcasing those products’ sustainability features and other appealing functionalities. Some of those capabilities were developed in direct response to the massive challenges that restaurant and foodservice owners faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “If there was one positive thing that came out of the pandemic, it’s that it forced innovation to move more quickly than it typically does in this industry,” Flynn points out. “As a result, we’re seeing a lot of new food management, food holding and takeout/delivery products being introduced, all with the goal of helping restaurants operate more efficiently and profitably.”


Education and Industry Insights While equipment and supplies will


dominate the show floor, there’s a lot more going on at The NAFEM Show. The trade show offers educational opportunities that cater to a diverse range of foodservice professionals, from insightful educational presentations to hands-on demonstrations and product showcases. FEDA members planning to attend The NAFEM Show can expect a full menu of educational opportunities, networking interactions and other experiences that they can take back to their businesses and put into action during the coming year. “There’s no other place where a dealer can bring all of its people for such an all- encompassing, educational experience


20 FEDA News & Views


about everything related to foodservice products and solutions,” Spittle says. “The NAFEM Show is the place


where we, as manufacturers, get to showcase our latest and greatest, and there’s no better opportunity for dealers to interact with and learn from us, particularly during the daily training hours,” he continues. A feature that debuted in 2023, @CenterStage (The NAFEM Show’s educational theatre) will again be situated on the show floor and will feature a number of different presentations. Some of those presentations will take place live on stage while others will either be recorded or held in a podcast setting. The specific presentation topics were being finalized as of mid-November, but Flynn says at least one will feature ITR Economics’ Connor Lokar presenting a keynote (on Thursday, Feb. 27) about the overall economic climate, how the industry is faring and the outlook for 2025.


Kicking Tings Off with a Bang The 2025 NAFEM Show kicks off on


Tuesday, Feb. 26, in a big way with an opening night party. Held at the GWCC, the event brings together foodservice professionals from around the globe. Attendees enjoy a night of culinary delights, live entertainment and networking opportunities that set the stage for the two days of innovation,


education and inspiration that will take place at the show.


The show will also feature a NAFEM party on Thursday night, Feb. 27, at the nearby Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United. This will be a don’t- miss event where everyone will gather right on the field and listen to pop rock band OneRepublic play its biggest hits. “The opening party and then NAFEM’s big celebration on Thursday night are both just going to knock everyone’s socks off,” Fox says. “Our team has put a tremendous amount of effort into making it special, fun and invigorating. We’re excited to have everyone attend.”


The NAFEM show takes place Feb. 26-28, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. You can learn more about it and register at thenafemshow.org.


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