By Kelly Brinkmann, RCI Executive Director
The end
of 2010 is almost upon us, which means we’re headed into the busiest season of
the year for retail confectioners. But the Retail Confectioners International (RCI)
association is also looking ahead to 2011 with member conferences, educational
opportunities, and public policy activities.
RCI will
hold its 2011 Annual Convention in Pittsburgh
on June 20-24, 2011. Sheraton
Station Square will be the place to be for
people engaged in the business of candy and chocolates. There, candy makers
will the opportunity to attend educational sessions, meet with equipment and
ingredient suppliers, and network with other professionals from across the
country.
Last year
at our annual conference in Lexington,
Kentucky, attendees learned about
important public affairs issues in the confectionery industry, the latest
product labeling requirements, food safety tips, how to extend product shelf
life, and how to better market their candy stores. Pittsburgh will continue the long history of
providing RCI members with information that helps them make, market and sell
their confections better.
“We’re
excited about the upcoming program, where RCI members and other attendees will
have a chance to learn from some of the best in the business, to share best
practices, and get the latest news in the industry,” says Tom Elsinghorst, vice
president at Tomric Systems Inc., and chairman of RCI’s Education Committee, which
is overseeing the educational programs for the conference.
RCI is
also working on other educational forums, ranging from short seminars to longer
boot camps to quick webinars. Many of the courses are taught by experienced
candy makers, while others are led by suppliers and equipment manufacturers.
Some are general overviews for beginners, while advanced courses are focused on
a particular aspect of candy making.
“RCI is
offering more educational courses in shorter, more condensed time periods to
better accommodate our busy candy-making members,” says RCI President Mike
Koch. “They’ve asked for more short classes in more locations, and we’re working
to provide them with those learning opportunities.”
Experts
with a proposed course or facility for hosting a seminar can apply at www.retailconfectioners.org and
click the “Educational Courses” tab. We have great conferences, a convention,
networking opportunities and educational opportunities available this year. We
invite active candy makers and industry professionals to participate in these
upcoming events.
Mark your
calenders for these future RCI events:
2011
RCI Spring Regional
Institute
No regional conference will
be held in April 2011 because Easter falls very late in the month (Easter is
April 24). The industry is invited to attend the RCI Annual Convention
& Industry Exposition, June 20-24, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
2011
RCI 91st Annual Convention
& Industry Exposition Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, Pa., June 20-24,
2011
2
2012
RCI Spring Regional
Institute
Omni Hotel, Jacksonville,
Fla.
April 17-20, 2012
