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FEDA Launching Revamped Annual Profit Survey Today
Distributor members will receive an email later today containing login information to access the profit survey platform. Once signed in, distributors can use this platform to securely submit their data and view preliminary benchmarking information. There is no cost to participate. Final benchmarking reports and expanded analysis will be available in July. If you have any questions, please contact Isabelle Piotrowski, director of membership and business development, at isabelle@feda.com.
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Final Week to Save on FEDA Conference Registration With Advanced Pricing
Set for Sept. 15–18 in Park City, Utah, the FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference will equip foodservice equipment and supplies professionals with actionable strategies for building successful, enduring enterprises. The program features industry-shaping speakers, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Verne Harnish, business author and founder of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, who will expand on the flywheel concepts introduced by Jim Collins at last year’s event. There’s still time to save on a regular rate registration — advanced pricing ends May 15.
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Develop Your Rising Talent at Next Month’s Young Industry Leaders Retreat
Taking place June 10–11, 2026, the FEDA Young Industry Leaders Retreat will offer interactive leadership development sessions led by industry experts and designed to sharpen participants’ decision-making and industry knowledge. Attendees can look forward to insightful discussions on industry trends and challenges, as well as opportunities to network with their peers.
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Founder of One Source Reps Remembered
Francis Brian McIlvaine was known for his exceptional business acumen and an unwavering commitment to his family.
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Women Presidents Organization Recognizes KaTom CEO as a Fastest Growing Women-Owned Company
In a video on social media, CEO Patricia Bible shared the honor by highlighting many of the 117 women who work at KaTom today. “They are teaching their staff under them, women that are coming up under them, to be better leaders, stronger leaders, more important leaders,” she said. “And they are encouraging each and every one of the people that work below them.”
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Boston Showcase Co. Elevates Equipment Purchasing With Hire
BSC said that Aaron Applegate has built deep relationships with manufacturers and representatives across the country, developing a reputation for sharp negotiation, disciplined processes, and a relentless focus on getting the right product at the right price for the customer.
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RATIONAL USA Promotes Sales Leader to Head South Region
Roy Long joined the Illinois-based company in October 2023 as a regional sales manager. Since then, he has built a record of consistent, measurable results and stepped into an expanded leadership role overseeing growth, stakeholder partnerships, and team development, the company said in a news release.
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Proving Performance Before the Kitchen Ever Turns On
Most foodservice equipment distributors sell on reputation, relationships, and price, but fewer factor in what happens before that refrigerator, oven, or fryer leaves the factory. It’s there that stress tests, performance cycles, certification audits, and documentation converge to prove that a product will hold up to the rigors of a 365-day, three-meal commercial kitchen. Equipment manufacturers have always invested in product validation and testing, but the tools and processes have grown far more sophisticated in recent years. For distributors, testing can become a powerful sales and risk management tool. It’s verifiable proof they can reference when customers or consultants ask why one piece of equipment should be chosen over another.
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Draft Federal AI Contract Rules Could Shift Intellectual Property Rights and Add Reporting Burdens
The “Basic Safeguarding of Artificial Intelligence Systems” clause attempts to establish safeguards and standards for the use of AI in federal procurement and contracts. Elements of the clause govern how data should be managed, who can access government data, how data breaches are reported, testing methodologies, and how AI systems are updated. However, the document also includes several requirements that business advocacy groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have warned could limit competition, increase costs to the government, and discourage AI providers from participating in the federal marketplace.
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Bipartisan House Bill Seeks to Promote AI Development, Establish Safeguards
On April 27, Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced the American Leadership in AI Act (H.R. 8516). The bill brings together more than 20 legislative proposals that stem from Lieu and Obernolte’s work leading the House’s Bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Task Force, which issued a report on guiding principles and recommendations for AI in December 2024.
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Upcoming FEDA and Other Industry Events
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National Restaurant Association Show
May 16–19, 2026
LEARN MORE
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FEDA Young Industry Leaders Retreat
June 10–11, 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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