New Dates and New Location – What’s That All About?

In 2010, the Atlantic Coast Exposition will introduce some major functional changes in the event in anticipation of its 56th year.  The planning committee announces an “old time feel” with a completely new venue, along with a revamped schedule and enhanced educational offerings. 

If you’re familiar with the beachfront city of Myrtle Beach (SC), then the Kingston Plantation property on the north end of the beach is a recognizable landmark encompassing 145 acres and offering a vast array of housing accommodations, recreation, restaurants, golf and, most importantly sandy beaches.

And, speaking of accommodations, ACE has reserved a variety of room configurations for attendees.  There are two-room suites at the high-rise Embassy Suites.  All suites have been recently renovated and consist of a living area, equipped with a mini refrigerator and microwave, and a bedroom with either two doubles beds or a king bed.  Each suite has its own private balcony with an ocean view, along with two LCD televisions, a sleeper sofa, work table and wireless Internet access.

All this for $134/night, including a buffet breakfast and a manager’s reception!

But that’s not all.  If you’re planning to bring a crowd, then consider booking a multi-bedroom villa where several guests can be housed in the same unit for one low price.  One-bedroom villas begin at $115/night, with two-bedroom villas at $145/night and three-bedroom villas at $165/night.  Note that villa accommodations do NOT include breakfast or the manager’s reception. 

To get an early start on your plans for October 2010, call 800.876.0010 for your hotel accommodations.

Wondering about those weather conditions in October?  The average daytime temperature for the month of October is 77˚ while the water temperature is 72˚.  Great golf weather, yet still warm enough to swim but without the summer crowds on the beaches or the roadways.

Although many of the final program details are still in the planning stages, the ACE Education Committee is committed to a value-packed program offering for 2010.  The number of hours allocated for education and training has doubled over previous years and the schedule still includes time for a skills training program for those folks responsible for equipment maintenance.

ACE and fun have always been synonymous and 2010 will be no exception because some things, those that are important to the distinguishing characteristics of the event, should never change. 

Because of the Embassy Suites beachfront location, a Fun Run has been added back into the program for 2010 to complement the Annual Golf Tournament. 

Evening events will be held outside, weather permitting, to take advantage of the tropical atmosphere and relaxed setting. 

Exhibits, Education and Events Combine for Cohesiveness

Because we know your time is valuable, we want to make it easy for you to connect while at ACE in 2010.  That’s one good reason why the ACE exhibits, education and social events will all come together under one roof, literally, at the Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach. 

The massive Kensington Ballroom will provide a comfortable home for the vendor exhibits complete with comfortable carpeting.  All booth spaces will be increment of 10’ X 10’ with the ability to configure as in-line, peninsular or island.  In the spirit of keeping it simple, booth assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, keeping in mind spatial requirements and electrical needs.  Space will be sold at a flat rate of $1,000 per 100 square feet. 

Just think, you can roll out of bed in the morning, enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and stroll the exhibit floor – all without ever leaving the Embassy Suites high-rise building.  So, park your car on Thursday and put your keys away until Sunday morning.  All your business and entertainment needs will be just a few steps away. 

Convention Schedule Expands for Education

The educational programming timeslots will expand to six hours for 2010 and that includes the revival of the Awards Breakfast with a motivational speaker. 

Early in November operators from across the Carolinas and Virginia were queried about their knowledge needs for 2010.  The responses had a similar theme but generally expressed continued concern with the effects of the economic climate on the ability to remain profitable, or even viable, as volume continues to decrease and the market shrinks.  Even those who are fortunate enough to be adding new business are experiencing declines in overall revenue. 

The economic theme, along with the desire to understand and find affordable ways to utilize existing and new technology to maximize efficiencies, are high on the focal point for the educational program in 2010. 

Presidential $1 Coins Issued

The United States is honoring the nation's presidents by issuing $1 coins featuring their images in the order that they served in office.  The United States Mint issues four Presidential $1 Coins each year, with Presidents Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan and Lincoln being honored in 2010.  Each coin has a common reverse design featuring the Statue of Liberty.    These coins feature edge-incused inscriptions of the year of minting, or issuance, E PLURIBUS UNUM and the mint mark.  The size, weight and metal composition of the Presidential $1 Coins are identical to that of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar and the Native American $1 Coins.  

The vending industry has long supported the benefits of dollar coins for those who make purchases from vending machines every day.  Coins work virtually flawlessly in comparison to paper bills in vending machines and bill changes and help minimize service calls because of jammed bill acceptors.

Industry Urges Action On Calorie Disclosure Legislation

Pending healthcare reform legislation includes a requirement that promises far-reaching effects for vending operators – a requirement to disclose calorie information on the contents of every item being sold on any given day from a vending machine.   

NAMA has been working diligently to modify this requirement to make it less onerous to the vend operator.  It seems inevitable that labeling will be required.  Now it’s a matter of how this information can be made available to the purchasing public without undue burden to the vending operator.  

The language currently requires any business that owns or operates 20 or more vending machines disclose the caloric content of all vended food and beverage products.

The vending industry is seeking flexibility in how such disclosure is displayed and to give the industry sufficient time to comply with any disclosure. It is also seeking legal protection for minor and inadvertent mistakes in labeling.

NAMA estimates that the proposed requirement would cost the industry more than $56 million in the first year alone.

Menus for 2010 Trend to Basics

According to the Food Channel’s forecasters, menus in 2010 will trend back to basics utilizing fundamental ingredients combined with quality buying.  
The “basics” will include more in-home eating with “from scratch” cooking, rather than convenience foods.  Part of this movement stems from the current economic situation which has reduced the amount of discretionary income that families have to spend on luxury activities like eating out. 
When people do go out to eat, they’ll be looking at a whole new world of restaurant options including new concepts like gastropubs, fusion dining, "shareables" and communal tables, and those built around "fresh" and do-it-yourself themes.
Grocery stores will continue to see growth in private labels and a resurgence of the in-store butcher, as well as upgraded delis and take-out sections, say the trend-watchers.  Shoppers will be more likely to make frequent visits to the grocery store for fresh ingredients.  Social media, apps and online resources will be handy tools for getting tips on grocery store deals.
How will these trends affect the vending industry and how will operators meet the consumer’s desire to change in the way in which food is prepared and offered?  These are questions to explore during the coming year.

Restaurant Industry Recovery Predicted for Late 2010

The food service industry won’t be seeing any relief during the first half of 2010, according to a forecast by NPD Group Inc., a leading market research company.  The restaurant industry has suffered through five consecutive quarters of declining traffic.  The forecast sees modest recovery beginning in the second half of 2010.

According to Bonnie Riggs, NRD’s restaurant industry analyst, the restaurant industry neither leads the economy into or out of recessions.

High unemployment, combined with, tight credit and lower grocery store prices, have affected consumer spending at restaurants.    

The institutional food service sector has experienced similar declines.  According to the same NPD Group forecast, food service traffic declined in sectors most affected by high unemployment, such as business and industry, vending and lodging.  Business and industry posted a 16 percent traffic decline for the year ending September 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Although still worried about jobs security and stagnant or declining incomes, consumers attitudes about the economy are slowly changing, the NPD forecast found.  Consumers believe the economy is beginning to improve or, at the very least, is not going to get any worse.

To visit the NPD Group Inc., click here.