A record number of attendees took advantage of the opportunity to invest in their business and the industry at BEMA’s Winter Summit held Feb. 28-March 1, in Chicago. The meeting featured speakers on timely topics from the current banking and credit climate to SUBWAY® restaurants’ supply chain. The meeting also featured sessions dealing with steel prices and project scope creep.
In 2008, business IQ sessions, designed to help members do business better, were introduced at the Summit. This year’s meeting included two business IQ sessions, one on the banking and credit climate and one on steel pricing. Bob Riter, founder and chairman, and Mike Bagley, senior vice president, American Chartered Bank, explained the economy will not show improvement until all the currently undervalued assets move through the market. They stressed the role of mid-sized banks and companies in getting through the economic downturn.
“Our 2009 sessions were developed as a direct response to survey responses,” said Kurt Miller, sales director, J&K Ingredients and BEMA’s convention and programs committee chairman. “We believe we delivered a good product based on the higher-than-usual number of attendees.” In addition to sessions lead by knowledgable speakers, BEMA’s meetings include many networking opportunities, such as a welcome reception, first-time attendee dinner and luncheon.