KCMPI hosted their first everCatering and Restaurant Showcase on Wednesday April 10, at K-State Olathe.

 

This was a project KCMPI wanted to host since the Town Pavilion in downtown Kansas City wasn't able to host it this year. We were hoping to offer members and other business leaders and meeting coordinators an opportunity to meet new caterers and hospitality vendors.

 

Nearly 30 vendors participated and more than 150 guests were able to network, learn new industry trends and sample some great cuisine. Everyone thought the experience was wonderful and that the event was a huge success.

KCMPI would like to thank the Olathe Convention and Visitor's Bureau and George Fern Exposition and Exhibit Services for serving as our partner level sponsors. Another big thank you goes out to K-State Olathe for hosting this year's event and providing such great facilities and amenities.

 

KCMPI would also like to thank our Friends of the Chapter sponsors who helped make this event possible. HyVee-Olathe, Keep Kansas City Beautiful, GTM Sportswear, Ambassador Hotel Collection, Kansas City, Piscatore Media, LLC and Bushnell. All of these sponsors donated services, products or prizes to the event which greatly added to the event. Vendors also donated prizes to attendees both at the Showcase and at the Educational program, so guests had many opportunities to walk away with some great schwag!

The Showcase took place over the lunch hour from 11am-1pm and guests were able to taste great menu samples such as burnt ends, cake bites, meatballs, chips and salsa, cheesy potatoes, bruschetta, fajita wraps, sushi and much, much more. No one went away hungry and many planners had new catering contacts and ideas for their next event. Attendees were also able to connect with other hospitality vendors such as hotels, transportation companies, equipment providers and other helpful organizations.

Bryan Severns, the K-State Olathe Food Programs and Services manager also led a very enlightening educational program on Food Safety for Event Planners. He shared tips on what to look for and how to insure that the catering side of your event is safe and tasty!

As everyone was leaving people vendors expressed an interest in exhibiting again next year so they could continue to meet other KCMPI and other potential customers and guests were asking when the event for next year would be held.

 

"It was just so well organized and everyone I met will help me do my job.When's the next Catering and Restaurant Showcase? I can't wait!"(Jean Dory, Ceva Bio-mune)

The Catering and Showcase Committee comprised of Tony Ballard, Kara Brady, Brandi Brumback, Cheryl Grinter, Haley Hutchinson and Renee Hultgren did a great job putting this inaugural event together and KCMPI would like to commend them for all their innovative ideas and hard work!