SHFM Annual Critical Issues Conference

The SHFM hosted its 2019 Critical Issues Conference on April 10 at American Express in New York, featuring seminars on professional development and industry issues and enabling premier networking opportunities. The Critical Issues Conference originated after the events of Sept 11, 2001 to explore the foodservice and hospitality industry’s responsiveness to the community’s acute needs, and was ultimately established as an annual event. The 2019 Conference theme was "Delivering, Measuring and Mastering Exceptional Customer Service". Industry experts spoke on redefining hospitality and world-class service, improving techniques for measuring customer satisfaction and incorporating strategies for building loyalty via client connections. It was the premier gathering of the year for top industry executives and professionals. The primary content was presented in AMEX's beautiful theater but the conference was in need of an elegant gathering space for the evening networking reception. Stage Trip was called in to transform the enormous employee cafeteria and its entrance hall into an alluring and immersive nightclub-like environment wherein serious business people could relax and chat, eat and drink magnificent catered buffet fare and do their best networking. Using a crafty combination of conventional lighting and video projection mapping and working closely with Party Rental, we created the ideal atmosphere for the occasion while highlighting the sponsors' desired content.