General Session
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
8:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. MST
Welcome and Chairman's Opening Remarks
FEDA Chairman Marc Tell, president of Sam Tell Companies, officially opens the conference and welcomes attendees.
State of the Industry Reports
The State of the Industry presentations will feature new insights from Jameel Burkett, president and CEO of Burkett Restaurant Equipment, and Aaron Brown, CEO of Refrigerated Solutions Group, into the key challenges and trends dealers and manufacturers are tracking. The information covered in the reports will set up the themes that will permeate the conference and tee up presentations from FEDA's educational partners on critical topics.
Sponsored by:
Distributor Focus
Jason Boomer, vice president of technology for Burkett Restaurant Equipment & Supplies, and Rory Clarke, president of Avanti Restaurant Solutions, will share strategies distributors can put into action to overcome constraints and drive growth. The conversation will be guided by J Schneider, managing director at the Dorn Group. A global strategist for industrial manufacturers and distributors, Schneider will connect Boomer and Clarke's insights to the FEDA Future of Distribution Council's efforts to drive operational transformation.
Keynote Presentation
A friend and colleague of last year's FEDA conference keynote speaker, Jim Collins, Verne Harnish connects the flywheel concept to practical business rhythms that generate momentum and measurable results. In his keynote presentation, Harnish will explain how to apply his 4D framework (drivers, demands, disciplines, and decisions) across the four critical areas of people, strategy, execution, and cash.
Keynote Sponsor:
Featured Supplier Presentations
The Featured Supplier Presentations highlight innovative products, solutions, and capabilities from leading suppliers in the foodservice equipment industry. Each presentation is designed to provide attendees with valuable insights, introduce new offerings, and showcase how suppliers are helping distributors and operators succeed in a rapidly evolving market.