WOMEN’S FOODSERVICE FORUM (WFF)
ANNUAL LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON
TO HIT INDUSTRY HIGH NOTE AT 2007 NRA SHOW
 
Marilyn Carlson Nelson, CEO of Carlson Restaurants to Keynote
 
WFF Prestigious SOAR Award to Honor Company that Champions Diversity
 

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (April 12, 2007) – The Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) will be drawing in hundreds of professionals from all segments of the industry to attend the WFF Annual Leadership Luncheon.  Held Monday, May 21st from 11:45 am - 2:15 pm at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, the luncheon will feature a dynamic keynote address by Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and CEO of Carlson Companies. It will also feature a special presentation of the highly coveted SOAR Award, which recognizes a foodservice corporation that champions gender balance and diversity. Attendees will have an opportunity to gain meaningful key insights, learn how other companies. are benefiting from gender balanced leadership, and reconnect with peers during the post-luncheon networking session.

“The WFF Annual Leadership Luncheon at the NRA show is an exciting event for our organization and the industry,” said Mary Bentley, WFF president. “It’s a definite must-attend for industry leaders because it demonstrates the critical business case for gender inclusion by corporations and the associated benefits, as well as recognizes a foodservice company that is harnessing this power and working to help move the industry forward.”


KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Regularly selected by Forbes magazine as one of The World’s Most Powerful Women in Business and named among U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Leaders of 2006, Marilyn Carlson Nelson will share her personal success story for growing the Carlson business in a global group of integrated companies covering all segments of the industry.  

She will also provide insights on the action plans that foodservice companies can implement to create an environment where women thrive and gender balance can lead to better business results. Ranked among the largest privately held corporations in the United States, Carlson Companies is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and employs about 170,000 people in nearly 150 countries and territories. The Carlson family of brands and services include: T.G.I. Friday's® and Pick Up Stix® restaurants; Regent Hotels & Resorts®; Radisson Hotels & Resorts®; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts; Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, among many others. Carlson Companies is on Working Mother magazine's 2001-2004 and 2006 lists of "The 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers," and Fortune magazine's 2002 list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For."


SOAR AWARD

The WFF will also announce the highly -anticipated winner of this year’s coveted Jackie B. Trujillo SOAR Award. Sponsored by US Foodservice, the SOAR Award, or Standard Setter for Opportunity, Advancement and Recognition, is the highest honor an organization can receive from the WFF. Named after a founding member of the WFF and a true pioneer in the foodservice industry, Ms. Trujillo rose from a carhop to the Chairman of the Board of the largest KFC franchise in history. She not only spurred women leaders forward in her organization, but opened doors for more women to be elevated in the foodservice industry.

Additionally, the WFF is offering a new business-building workshop at the NRA Show entitled “Diverse Leadership Development: Improving Your Business with a Gender-Balanced Team” on Sunday, May 20th from 10:00 am – 11:30 am.  WFF will also have a booth on the NRA Show floor to inform new and current members of its offerings, including the new Executive Track programming, as well as information about its other events and programs, and membership and sponsorship information. Be sure to stop by booth #5005 for more information.
 

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With a membership of more than 3,000 professionals from all segments of the foodservice industry, Women’s Foodservice Forum has made important differences in the personal and professional lives of individual members and the foodservice industry at large. Through highly beneficial sessions at the Annual Leadership Development Conference, Regional Connects events, Executive Women’s Summit, signature mentoring programs and facilitated teleforums, WFF provides members with the tools they need to make a positive difference in their careers.
 
For more information about Women’s Foodservice Forum, please visit the website www.womensfoodserviceforum.com.

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