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A Message from FEDA Conference Special Guest Speaker and Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak
Innovation rarely comes from following the expected path. At the 2026 FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will offer his perspective on what it takes to challenge conventional thinking, embrace new technologies, and turn ideas into growth strategies. Drawing on more than 50 years in technology, Wozniak will talk with Clark Associates CEO Gene Clark about navigating change and thinking differently — insights that are increasingly relevant as artificial intelligence and digital transformation reshape the foodservice equipment and supplies industry.
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Reminder: Reserve Your 2026 FEDA Conference Resort Room by Aug. 21
Don’t miss your chance to stay at the spectacular Grand Hyatt Deer Valley! The resort reservation deadline for the 2026 FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference is Friday, Aug. 21, so now is the time to secure your room. This newly built resort combines luxury accommodations with stunning mountain scenery. Attendees will enjoy convenient access to all conference sessions and networking events, plus world-class resort amenities, including a hammam-inspired spa, heated year-round pool, fitness center, and four restaurants led by Chef Marc Marrone, Executive Chef Viktor Merenyi, and legendary New York City Mixologist Frank Maldonado.
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Upcoming: Critical Skills for Front-Line Leaders in Distribution - Session 3
Part three of FEDA’s latest webinar series will be presented at 10:30 a.m. CT Friday, Aug. 28. This session focuses on warehouse data and performance metrics. Presenter Will Quinn will talk about building simple scorecards, running effective one-on-ones, setting clear expectations that teams can measure themselves against, and having performance conversations that lead to improvement rather than resentment. This series is available at no cost to FEDA members and for $99 to nonmembers.
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Next Week! Craft Your Leadership Flywheel at the Young Industry Leaders Virtual Session
Young professionals at FEDA member companies are invited to attend the upcoming FEDA Young Industry Leaders (YIL) virtual session, Building Your Leadership Flywheel: Creating Momentum Through Consistent Action. Set for noon CT Tuesday, Aug. 25, this session will build on the flywheel effect concept presented by Jim Collins at last year’s FEDA conference and discuss how the framework can be applied to individual leadership development. For those attending the 2026 conference, the program provides a valuable foundation for Verne Harnish’s keynote, which will tie Collins’ teachings to the four critical areas of people, strategy, execution, and cash. Rather than focusing on organizational strategy, participants will develop a personal leadership flywheel that identifies the habits, strengths, relationships, and experiences that create long-term leadership momentum. There is no cost for FEDA members to participate.
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Last Chance to Share Your Flywheel With Conference Keynote Speaker Verne Harnish
As Verne Harnish prepares for his keynote at the 2026 FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference, he is asking FEDA member companies to share their organization’s flywheel — the self-reinforcing cycle of actions that drives sustained growth and success. Your contribution will help Verne tailor his presentation to the real-world experiences, opportunities, and challenges facing distributors and manufacturers in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry. That input will make the session even more relevant and actionable for attendees. Whether your flywheel is well established, recently developed, or still taking shape, we'd love to hear from you. Simply email your flywheel — and any questions you may have — to FEDA Director of Industry Programs and Professional Development Ashley Mueller at ashley@feda.com.
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Burkett Golf Outing Raises Record $45,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Held Aug. 10 at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg, Ohio, the Mike Burkett Memorial Golf Outing is the region’s largest independent, community-led fundraiser benefiting NMSS. The event is named in honor of Burkett Restaurant Equipment’s founder, who passed away in 2021 after living with multiple sclerosis for 34 years. The annual outing brings together customers, manufacturers, representatives, community partners, and Burkett team members from across the country.
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Food Service Holdings Taps Industry Veteran as COO
In his new role, Brian King will lead BSI’s manufacturing, project management, estimating, purchasing, and engineering departments. In addition, he will oversee operations at BSI’s stone fabricator, Colorado Custom Stone. King will report directly to Food Service Holdings CEO Phil Harmon.
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New Corporate Chef, Product Training Manager for Vollrath
Andrew Cronau brings extensive foodservice expertise and leadership to his new role, the company said. He previously was a sales account manager at Vollrath, where he built a reputation for forging strong customer relationships and driving strategic growth. Before joining the Wisconsin-based manufacturer, he held positions in sales management and kitchen management and also worked as a sous chef.
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Hoshizaki America Selects Forbes Hever & Wallace as South-Central Rep
Forbes Hever & Wallace will represent the FEDA manufacturer member company’s ice equipment and reach-in refrigeration products, including the Steelheart and Valiance series, throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
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Treasury Ends Beneficial Ownership Reporting for U.S. Companies
On Aug. 11, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a final rule removing the requirement for American companies to report beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The rule took effect upon publication in the Federal Register. FinCEN also announced that it will delete previously reported information submitted by companies from its beneficial ownership information database. The move follows years of efforts by FEDA and other business advocacy groups to resolve uncertainty surrounding the CTA and protect the privacy of business owners.
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Upcoming FEDA and Other Industry Events
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FEDA Young Industry Leaders Session
Aug. 25, 2026
LEARN MORE
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2026 FEDA Annual Conference
Sept. 15-18, 2026
LEARN MORE
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Full Calendar of Industry Events
Ongoing
LEARN MORE
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Support the FEDA Learn Institute
The FEDA Learn Institute is supported in part by donors to the FEDA Education Foundation, which develops important and relevant education and training programs for distributors. Learn about becoming a Diamond Donor and be recognized within FEDA for your support.
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The FEDA Weekly News is published by the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association. FEDA's mission is to provide advocacy, education, and service on behalf of foodservice equipment and supplies distributors and dealers.
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