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Your conference was a huge success. Or was it? If you aren’t looking carefully and scientifically at your conference, trade show, or other events, you don’t know how it went. You don’t know what elements were popular and what elements will keep people from attending next year. A complete evaluation of your event will help you determine the following:

• What worked and what didn’t work

• If you met guests’ expectations

• If your budget and timeline were realistic

Anything worth doing is worth evaluating. Here are five steps to assess your event to help you create better events in the future.

Whether we’re aware of it or not, we form countless habits as we navigate the world around us. Habits form through learning and repetition. These repetitive behaviors become deeply ingrained in the brain and eventually initiate an automatic pattern when triggered by certain cues, like instinctively reaching for a cigarette after waking up or buckling your seatbelt when you get in the car.

If you’re looking to reevaluate your own personal habits around food and wellness in 2022, we’ve done all the research to get you started. 

Rumor has it that singers like Adele charge $1,000,000 to perform at private events such as trade shows or conferences. If that’s not in your budget, you probably want to be a little more thoughtful and careful about hiring entertainment for your trade show or conference. So how do you decide? There are several steps to follow.

Your weekly trip to the grocery store might seem a bit steeper lately due to the average price of groceries increasing. With continued supply chain issues, industry-wide labor shortages, and rising inflation rates the cost of eating at home as risen over 10% in the last year. 

One way to help stretch the grocery budget is to prepare one core ingredient and stretch it across multiple means. Stocking your pantry with canned beans, like chickpeas, is an excellent way to ensure you have a good source of plant-based protein on hand. And don't worry about flavor fatigue - chickpeas are an incredibly versatile, protein and fiber-rich, staple that you need to take advantage of. By leveraging ingredients like beans and tofu as the foundation of your menu, you can also save on more expensive meats while reaping the benefits of various vegetables. 

Let's dive in. 

For the past couple of years, planning events has been easier in one way, people had fewer scheduling conflicts. But, with the world opening up, finding the right date for an event is once again trickly. This list of dates to be aware of in 2023 should help you plan. 

Keep the grill fired up all summer long with our BBQ Spiced Chicken, Black Bean, Sweet Potato “Blended Burger.” This sweet and savory burger is not only packed with flavor, but is bursting with color, fiber, and a touch of heat in every bite. An added bonus? Our blended burger is topped with a cooling blueberry pineapple salsa that provides the perfect balance to the patty’s tangy BBQ spice blend.

Some people put the value of the Wellness Industry at over 4 trillion dollars a year. At this point, wellness is no longer a trend but a part of the business world, just like any other industry. Post-Covid conferences and events are seeing more calls than ever for incorporating wellness into in-person events. Here are five ways to do so. 

Choosing the farmer's market as an inspiration for your summer meals is a great idea for many reasons. The produce tastes better and is great for local communities and the environment. Farmer's markets are often cheaper than supermarkets, partially because you don't have to pay for shipping costs. Unlike supermarkets, where you need to pay to sample food, many vendors at farmer's markets offer free samples too! With produce prices on the rise, it is imperative to maximize your weekly purchases and cut down on your waste.

In-person conferences, trade shows, and events are back. Unfortunately, the attendees aren’t always showing up. Conference organizers and event planners report lower than pre-pandemic ticket sales and lower numbers attending, even if they buy a ticket. There are ways to try and combat these problems.

Our team at the Kellogg Conference Hotel considers it an honor and privilege to be located on the beautiful Gallaudet University campus. We know firsthand how rich, vibrant, and diverse the deaf community is, so in honor of Deaf Awareness Month and International Week of the Deaf (September 19 - 25) we are shining the spotlight on deaf culture.  

The "Great Resignation" has been top-of-mind for employers in all industries. Even with record-high inflation and a possible recession in the near future, people are still leaving their jobs. This departure of employees is having a significant impact on both customer service and supply chains. It's no wonder that it's also affecting conferences and events.

Whether baked or fried, balled or flat, falafel – a traditionally Middle Eastern dish – can now be found all over the Western world. The chickpea base means that falafel is a good vegetarian protein and high in fiber. Our baked version is also free of saturated fat. Stuff your finished falafel inside a whole wheat pita or eat from a dinner plate, but either way, we suggest serving it with Fattoush Salad and Traditional Hummus. 

Ooof! The poor conference and event industry. When things were returning to normal after Covid, along came high gas prices. What do gas prices have to do with conferences and events? A lot!  

Yes, you read that right… and, this post is being written by one of the FLIK dietitians! Today we’re meditating in the form of mindful eating, which is all about bringing more focus and attention to whatever it is you’re eating – even if it’s a fry!

Feeding guests has gotten complicated. A growing interest in personal and environmental health, combined with more health information available, means that more and more people have dietary restrictions. It’s no longer just one vegetarian guest or one guest who keeps Kosher. Instead, any given event could have a variety of food issues. 

Let's talk science!

According to trendwatchers, consumers are increasingly interested in learning more about gut health; understanding the use of probiotics and prebiotics as a natural way to support a healthy digestive system.   

According to those who study the alcohol industry, consumption of “no and low” alcohol drinks will grow by 31% by 2024. Why is this important to conference organizers and attendees? Traditionally, many conferences and conventions have used alcohol as a social lubricant and an enticement for attendees. Happy hours, drink tickets, and post-meeting cocktails are all standard. How can organizers adapt to this new trend? 

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the immense contributions from throughout the AAPI community and the tremendous impact and influence this community has had on American culture. ​

With more and more people working remotely, the lines between business and leisure time have blurred. One result is the rise of “bleisure travel,” travel involving aspects of both work and play. ​

Fuel your body with our plant-based versions of classic dishes that will keep you satisfied all day long. Try a new take on an old favorite while boosting your nutrient intake! To complete your meal for the whole family or if you're serving guests, pair our recipe for Black Bean, Chipotle Cauliflower, Avocado Tacos with a side of Mexican Quinoa Salador add a scoop of Grilled Portobello "Barbacoa" Taco Filling and wrap it all up in a large tortilla. Prefer meat-based protein with a south-of-the-border flair? Check out these recipes: Turkey Taco Meat Stuffed Avocado, Pico de Gallo, Cheddar and Chicken Stuffed Poblano Pepper "Tacos."

People love free swag. Science has proven that the idea of something “being free” makes people behave in irrational ways. No one knows this more than the weary business traveler packing to come home from a conference or trade show and finding their carry-on bag is now full of magnets and post-it notes. So, what kind of swag should you take from, or give on, a conference or trade show floor? ​
 

Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University was honored to host the cast of the Academy Award-winning film CODA on Tuesday, March 22nd.

As we approach Year Three of the coronavirus pandemic, more and more of our readers are experiencing cooking fatigue. Gone are the days of sourdough starters, emotional support banana bread, and TikTok famous baked feta; drained of any culinary creativity, the novelty of shopping for and preparing homemade meals has, frankly, worn off. Now, cooking just feels like a repetitive chore. ​

The Covid-19 pandemic introduced a lot of new words to our vocabulary. Once only known by lawyers, "Force Majeure" and "Force Majeure Clauses" have become common phrases for more people.

Everyone knows how difficult it is to travel with kids. But for new parents, or those who rarely travel, attending a conference or convention without your kids can be equally difficult. This is especially true in 2022 when many families have had little or no business travel for two years. If you have an upcoming conference, here are some tips for your upcoming solo trip.

Black joy is a proud expression of freedom, history and humanity. From sharing one's family heritage through food or enjoying the comfortable embrace of traditional African fashion, black joy is woven into everyday life. Listen in as our friends at FLIK Hospitality Group share what black joy means to them.
 

The immune system is a network of organs, white blood cells, proteins, and chemicals that work together to keep you healthy. As foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens enter the body, a healthy immune system works to destroy or limit them, preventing infection or disease. When the immune system is compromised, or not working at an optimal level, it can’t fight a winning battle against these invaders, and thus, illness can result.  The best way to improve the health of your immune system is not through supplements, shakes, or pills, but through healthy lifestyle choices such as getting enough sleep, regular exercise, and a healthy, balanced diet. The role of diet in promoting a strong immune system begins before you get sick, so follow a nutrient-dense eating pattern as outlined below to bolster your defenses and make the fight against illness faster and easier. ​

Are you planning a trip in 2022? Naturally, we all hoped that by 2022 travel would be “back to normal.” It’s clear, though, that what we’re actually looking at is a “new, new normal.” Travel is possible in this “new, new normal,” but there are five essential keys for planning your trip.

January is National Oatmeal Month - let's celebrate with a few delicious FLIK-approved recipes that star oatmeal!
 

We are committed to keeping our staff, guests and event attendees safe and healthy. As we face a possible fifth wave of COVID-19, we are following the guidelines laid out in Safe Space 2021 to help mitigate the spread of this highly transmisible virus.

As the holiday season fast approaches us, many of us will take the time to reflect upon things we are grateful for. For many, the pandemic has shed light on being thankful for what we have, big and small, from our health, family, and fortune, to simple things like sending our kids back to school or watching a movie someplace other than your couch. 

Here are a few out of the box ways to give back to your community this holiday season:

Step aside Grinch! Holiday events are back.
Of course, things look different this year than they did in 2019, but we like to think that different is better. Here are the 10 big holiday event trends for 2021 that we’re most excited about:

The Bottom-Line

What you eat today, impacts your immunity tomorrow (well, many tomorrows from now). And don’t count on supplement powders, pills, drinks, or gummies to give your immunity a boost.

Did you miss in-person events? We sure did, and we know a lot of our clients did, too. Meetings on Zoom just aren’t the same as face-to-face interactions, especially when building long-term relationships. ​

The cuisine across Hispanic cultures varies from country to country, but one dish is at the heart of numerous traditions and celebrations: tamales. Its rich and delicious history stretches back to 8000 BC. Read our blog post to learn more about this iconic dish.

The decisions, actions, and attitudes of our associates earn the trust and loyalty of our clients every day. We know how to pick them and we know how to grow them. It starts with hiring people who share our passion for food and hospitality. Once we find the right talent, we encourage, value, and recognize their contributions.

Looking for a family-friendly adventure to get out of the house this summer? Take a trip to the local farmer's market and meet the farmers!

Summer has always been a popular time for weddings but 2020 there was a major lack of weddings thanks to Covid.Many brides and grooms were forced to reschedule or cancel their nuptials during the pandemic.

Yes, you read that right… and, this post is being written by one of the FLIK dietitians! Today we’re meditating in the form of mindful eating, which is all about bringing more focus and attention to whatever it is you’re eating – even if it’s a fry!