Financial professionals are frequently tasked with creating effective models that are accurate and dynamic. The power of a financial model comes from the ability to change the inputs and analyze the impact on outputs — factors that can benefit significantly from the greater data processing scale and deeper analytics offered by artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT. This three-part course, offered in partnership with the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), will equip finance practitioners in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry with the knowledge and skills needed to implement best practices for financial modeling, lead in analytics, harness AI technologies, and drive sustainable organizational change. Once they’ve mastered the tools and techniques, the course will guide participants on how to put their newfound expertise into action to build from-scratch financial models that produce baseline and dynamic outputs in response to changes in real-world scenarios.

This two-part webinar series examines how leading organizations use collaboration and agility to navigate uncertainty, reduce risk, and create new opportunities for growth.

FEDA has partnered with The Association for Finance Professionals (AFP) to deliver customized finance education courses to members. This two-part education series provides finance professionals with a practical understanding of how data analytics can be used to support better business decisions and improve organizational performance. Participants will explore both foundational and advanced analytical techniques, learning how organizations use data to identify trends, uncover insights, forecast outcomes, and drive strategic decision-making.

The Tech Talks at the 2025 FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference cut through the noise with high-impact, real-world insights from senior technology leaders in the industry. Andre Fidellow, chief technology officer at Mission Restaurant Supply, shared proven approaches for using automation — particularly within ERP systems — to eliminate inefficiencies, overcome data challenges and enable growth. Next, Jamie Head, chief information officer at Parts Town, explored how robotics, AI-powered SKU management and predictive digital platforms are reshaping high-volume distribution by delivering greater control and higher customer satisfaction at a faster pace than ever before. Following the Tech Talks, Erik Brynjolfsson, a digital economy expert and the special guest speaker at the 2025 FEDA Annual Executive Conference, joined Fidellow and Head for a fireside chat. The trio answered questions about how businesses are using AI and automation in their operations and methodologies for effective implementation.

At the 2025 FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference, Joe Carbonara, editorial director for Foodservice Equipment & Supplies and restaurant development + design magazines, gave a presentation providing media insights into the foodservice equipment and supplies industry.

The State of the Industry presentations featured new insights from Mark Rossi, CEO and founder of Avanti, and Erik Lampe, president and CEO of The Vollrath Company, into the key challenges and trends dealers and manufacturers are tracking.

J Schneider, managing director at Dorn Group, leads a discussion about the future of the supply chain in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry. Panelists include Chad Autry, associate dean of faculty and research at the University of Tennessee's Haslam College of Business; Jameel Burkett, CEO of Burkett Restaurant Equipment; Brian Kadel, vice president of dealer sales at Refrigerated Solutions Group; and Kevin Brink, vice president of LTL solutions at Kuehne+Nagel.

Supply chain resilience enables the business to capitalize on emerging opportunities, maintain customer satisfaction, and reduce costs, ultimately positioning the company for long-term success and growth. This session presents proven methods for internal integration and external collaboration that help organizations to not only weather the storms of chaos, but to excel and win in the face of uncertainty.

The Special Guest Presentation at the FEDA Executive Leadership Conference featured Kevin Warsh, monetary policy expert and Shepard Family distinguished visiting fellow in economic for the Hoover Institution. Warsh reflected on his work to help guide the United States out of the 2008 financial crisis and covered the lessons from that period that can be applied to the permacrises facing businesses today. As a former member of the Fed Board, he provided an analysis of the Fed’s current policies, particularly regarding inflation, and explain how the board’s actions are impacting businesses. Finally, he decoded what business leaders can expect in both the short and long term and laid out a roadmap for how companies can spur economic growth and foster stability amid turbulent financial markets.

Businesses are abuzz with many exciting, emerging technologies these days, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and Big Data. The Tech Talks at the 2024 FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference explored how to put these technologies to use by sharing the real-world experiences of high-level professionals within the foodservice equipment and supplies industry.