FCSI THE AMERICAS CONFERENCE 2026 THE PROGRAM CONFERENCE 2026 AGENDA


Check out the program for the 2026 FCSI Te Americas Biennial Conference, as delegates gather on April 23-26 for learning and networking at the Wigwam Resort. Keynote speakers and breakout sessions combine for a rich schedule


THURSDAY, APRIL 23 8:00am-4:00pm EPiC Summit – exclusive event for consultants aged 45 and younger (separate registration required) 7:00pm-10:00pm Opening party


FRIDAY, APRIL 24 7:00am


Registration opens


7:00am-9:00am Breakfast -


8:30am-9:00am


Allied Member meeting -


9:00am-9:30am


Opening remarks and awards -


9:30am-10:30am OPENING KEYNOTE: Today's AI at the 10,000 foot level Dan Chuparkoff, AI educator and innovation expert -


10:45am-11:45am BREAKOUT SESSION: Elevating chef wellbeing Chris Aquilino, Frank Müller FCSI and Amelia Shuja


BREAKOUT SESSION: Designing for the real world: Aligning foodservice design with operations Sojo Alex FCSI, Jeremy Kittelson and Lucas Miller


BREAKOUT SESSION: Challenges of ownership: What keeps you up at night? Steve Carlson FCSI, Christine Guyott FCSI, Katie Lint and Eric Goodrich FCSI -


11:45am-1:45pm LUNCH -


1:45pm-2:45pm BREAKOUT SESSION:


BUILD: Generating sustainable design and relationships, one thoughtful step at a time


Kristin Sedej FCSI -


BREAKOUT SESSION:


Refrigeration in 2026 and beyond Richard Young -


BREAKOUT SESSION: Tech AI deep dive for consultants Dan Chuparkoff -


3:00pm


RESORT TIME -


7:00pm-10:00pm Evening under the stars


SATURDAY, APRIL 25 7:30am


Registration opens -


8:00am-12:00pm Innovation showcase -


8:00am-9:30am


Breakfast and business meeting -


9:45am-10:45am The Bottomless Cup Kevin Boehm -


11:00am-12:30am College of Fellows medallion ceremony -


12:00pm-1:30pm LUNCH


Product of the Year awarded -


1:30pm-2:30pm BREAKOUT SESSION Beverage – conception to implementation Jill Cockson -


BREAKOUT SESSION


Critical attributes of quality consulting Karen Malody FCSI


BREAKOUT SESSION


Design influence on emotion and behavior Veronica Millares -


2:30pm-2:45pm BREAK -


2:45pm-4:00pm Closing keynote


Making the impossible possible Ben Nemtin, author -


6:30pm


Buses depart for closing party -


7:00pm-10:00pm Closing party


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