2026 Executive Summit

Monday, March 2

Noon – 5 p.m.         
Registration

Pick up your badge and check in for the Executive Summit.

6 – 9 p.m.         
Opening Reception & Dinner

Get the Executive Summit started with a casual get-together. There will be authentic New Orleans cuisine, cocktails and best of all—fabulous opportunities to reconnect with friends and colleagues.

Tuesday, March 3

8 a.m. 
Welcome Remarks

8:30 a.m 
2026–2027 Economic Outlook: What Smart Leaders Do Next – Speaker: Connor Lokar, ITR Economics

9:15 a.m.
Global Risk and What it Means for Business – Speaker: Jonathan Wood, Control Risks 

Jonathan Wood provides analysis and strategic advice on political, operational, security and integrity risks to multinational organizations. In his role at Control Risks, he explains risk, cuts through uncertainty and empowers attendees to make better decisions.            

10 a.m.                      
Break

10:15 a.m.                      
The future of food: Understanding all the ingredients in the stew – Speaker: Matt Carmichael, Ipsos

Futurists cast a wide net. The future of food is a climate story. The future of transportation is a technology story. The future of housing is an economic one. And everything these days is political. Nothing happens in a vacuum. Drawing on data and insights from Ipsos Global Trends, What the Future, the U.S. Consumer Tracker and more, Matt Carmichael weaves a picture of where things might be headed, discusses how you can prepare and even how you can drive the change you want and need.

11:00 a.m.                      
Adapting to a Globalized World – Speaker: Dr. Sam Potolicchio

Dr. Sam Potolicchio provides expert advice to industry and government leaders on adapting to a globalized world, millennials in the workforce, effective decision making and public communication.

11:45 a.m.                           
What Does the Economic & Geopolitical Future Look Like? – Panelists: Connor Lokar, Jonathan Wood, Matt Carmichael, Dr. Sam Potolicchio

The morning’s speakers come together to reflect on the information they provided and for some lively Q&A.

1 – 2 p.m.                           
Lunch

2 p.m.                              
Coexisting with AI – Speaker: Kay Firth-Butterfield, CEO, Good Tech Advisory

Kay Firth-Butterfield advises business leaders faced with making strategic decisions about AI implementation, professionals adapting to AI-augmented workplaces, parents guiding children through a technology-saturated world, and anyone hoping to better understand how AI will shape our collective future. She offers valuable insights relevant to everyone from C-suite executives at global enterprises to everyday people doing their best to navigate a world that’s changing ever more quickly.

2:45 – 4:30 p.m.              
Annual Business Meeting (Priority Point Earning Opportunity!)

Following lunch, NAFEM leaders recap the year’s accomplishments and outline what’s ahead for 2026. We’ll announce the results of director elections, usher in new officers, recap the success of our Social Purpose outreach and talk about new programs and partnerships.

6:15 p.m.               
Meet in Courtyard for group departure

6:30 – 9 p.m.                      
A Taste of New Orleans – Sponsor:  New Orleans & Company

We’ll sample the flavors of New Orleans at Latrobe’s on Royal, one of the city’s most architecturally significant buildings. Signature elements such as the whisper dome, the bank vault and original stonework provide a rich backdrop for our popular networking event.

Wednesday, March 4

6 – 7 a.m.     
Yoga

7 – 8 a.m.     
Breakfast

8 a.m.                        
Opening Remarks

8:15 a.m. 
Industry Trends – Speaker: Joe Carbonara, Zoomba Group

Joe Carbonara sets the stage for a full day focused on industry trends. First up, we’ll hear from foodservice operators discussing their evolving recipes for success.

8:30 a.m.    
Foodservice Gut Check: What Consumers Want from Foodservice and the Impact on Equipment & Supplies Manufacturers – Speaker: Mike Kostyo, Menu Matters

It’s easy to forget that every action and decision in our comes down to one person – the customer. We get so wrapped up in our internal issues, chasing trends, and the latest problem to solve that we stop centering the diner in our process. In this session, Mike Kostyo looks at the foodservice outlook and themes to watch for in the year ahead, connecting them to ultimate needs, wants, concerns, and emotions that are impacting consumer decisions.

10:15 a.m.
Break

10:30 a.m.
What’s Trending in Operations? – Panelists: Sharon Eliatamby, World Bank Group, Adam Jarboe, Chick-Fil-A, Neal Lavender, JPS Health Network

What consumers expect from foodservice operations continues to change and with those changes come both challenges and opportunities.  A trio of foodservice operators representing three dynamic segments – Sharon Eliatamby, World Bank Group, Adam Jarboe, Chick-Fil-A and Neal Lavender, JPS Health Network – will discuss their evolving recipes for success including the roles of key ingredients such as various forms of technology and their supply chain partners will play in spicing up their value propositions moving forward.

Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 p.m.
A fireside chat with Ti Martin, Commander’s Palace

Executive Summit Chair Mark Fogarty, CFSP, sits down with legendary New Orleans restaurateur, entrepreneur and author, Ti Adelaide Martin. Ti is a vocal advocate for genuine hospitality in business, her city, and various causes close to her heart. As co-proprietor of Commander’s Palace since 1997 with her cousin Lally Brennan, Martin takes pride in the restaurant’s future. She emphasizes that while they hold the keys to Commander’s, the restaurant truly belongs to New Orleans. Across all her ventures, Martin strives to exceed expectations, representing not just the food but also the way of life, soul, and spirit that define New Orleans.

2:15 p.m.
Anticipating Channel Challenges! – Panelists: Adam Jarboe, Chick-Fil-A, Steve Sliter, Commercial Parts & Service, Charlie Souhrada, CFSP, NAFEM, Brad Wasserstrom, The Wasserstrom Company; Moderator: Joe Carbonara, Zoomba Group

From supply chain changes to industry consolidation to the every-changing legislative and regulatory world, panelists Adam Jarboe, Chick-Fil-A, Steve Sliter, Commercial Parts & Service, and Charlie Souhrada, CFSP, NAFEM, Brad Wasserstrom, The Wasserstrom Company, discuss what’s better, what’s worse and what’s ahead for the industry.

3:15 p.m.
Gazing into the Crystal Ball:  What’s in Store for the Industry? – Panelists: John Morkes, Neet UX & Strategy, Stephanie Perry, Permul, Jason Prondzinski, Boelter, Steve Spittle, CFSP, Middleby

How will the foodservice industry adapt to volving customer expectations?  In what ways will evolving technologies, such as data minim and AT, impact the industry?  How will industry partnerships continue to evolve?  Our panel – John Morkes, Neet UX & Strategy, Stephanie Perry, Permul, Jason Prondzinski, Boelter and Steve Spittle, CFSP, Middleby – will answer these questions and more as they plot out how the foodservice equipment and supplies market will adapt and grow in the coming years.

5:45 p.m.
Closing Keynoter: José Andrés

The Executive Summit closes with an incredible opportunity to listen in on a conversation with Chef, Restaurateur and Humanitarian, José Andrés.

6:45 – 9 p.m.
Dinner

Thursday, March 5        

7:30 – 9 a.m.
Breakfast available