You’re probably familiar with the concept of speed dating, where a large group of single men and women gather in one place and then meet each other one-on-one for 10 or 15 minutes until a bell rings, and the couples change partners for another face-to-face. If sparks fly, phone numbers are exchanged.
The Operator Speed Meetings at COEX (the Chain Operators Exchange) are kind of like that. While not quite one-on-one, these face-to-face dialogues between manufacturers and emerging, regional and national restaurant chains can be quite productive. Here’s how they work:
- One chain restaurant operator and several manufacturers are seated at one table
- Approximately 15 minutes are allotted for manufacturers to ask questions and hear straight from operators about specific needs
- Manufacturers then move on to the next operator table of their choice for another round of dialogue and exchange of ideas
- Business cards are frequently exchanged
It’s an outstanding opportunity for suppliers to connect with potential customers and for operators to meet with numerous suppliers in a single afternoon. It’s one of the events that are unique to COEX.
Operator Speed Meetings are slotted for both Monday and Tuesday, March 1 and March 2, at this year’s COEX conference.
Sponsored by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), COEX will kick off Sunday, February 28, and continue until March 3 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla.
Themed ‘Menu, Value & Innovation: Consumers Rule!’ COEX 2010 features an impressive lineup of participants, panelists and speakers, in addition to the Operator Speed Meetings.
The Food Channel will be on-site to provide daily coverage, including news reports, video interviews, blogs, and LIVE tweets from the conference. This live coverage will be accessible through both foodchannel.com and the IFMA Web sites.
See more Photos from COEX on Facebook.
See additional stories:
COEX: Menu, Value & Innovation
Food & Passion at the COEX Reception
Restaurant Chains Address Key Issues
Follow all the live action at COEX at twitter.com/FoodChannel or at www.facebook.com/FoodChannel.*
Event Coverage Sponsored by IFMA
