Publisher’s Note: Bridging the Gap

We learned in March what many of us had expected, the National Restaurant Association was once again forced to cancel its annual trade show. Though it was not a surprise, it was yet another reminder of the toll this pandemic has taken on our industry.

On my second week on the job in 2018, I found myself in awe as I walked the floor at the association’s trade show. The idea that so many people, full of ideas, came together in one place, as one industry, to strut their collective stuff and highlight the latest and greatest in innovation and technology, not to mention lots of food, was inspiring. But what struck me the most was how attendees, many of them industry veterans, would constantly reminisce with one another on how many consecutive years they had attended the association’s trade show. It was a point of pride, a point of celebration.

Once again, this year’s cancellation will leave us with a gap, a gaping hole actually. Another year missing seeing our friends in person, learning hands-on about the latest and greatest products, and finding that must-have item that will make kitchens run that much more smoothly. Remember that Foodservice Equipment Reports is here to help fill that gap between shows every month in digital or in print. It was FER that really took the idea of Consumer Reports-style equipment comparisons and crafted them for our industry back 25 years ago. Nobody did them like we did, and nobody does to this day. We also will continue to give you updates on the most recent products, as well as need-to-know insights on who is doing what and where.

Be sure to watch for our May issue, too, for full coverage of the National Restaurant Association’s Kitchen Innovations Awards recipients. Even though we can’t walk the show floor to check them out and celebrate these innovative products, you can still take a tour of them right here, in the comfort of your own home.

As always, stay safe and stay healthy. I look forward to catching up with you on a show floor in the very near future.

Randy Hano
President & Publisher
rhano@fermag.com