Scenarios of Change

260 top managers and entrepreneurs from the international professional foodservice sector attended the 10th European Foodservice Summit in Zurich at the end of September, almost as many as in the record year 2007. At this anniversary event, participants enjoyed a high-grade programme revolving around the main themes of ‘leadership' and ‘scenarios of change', the crowning glory of which was a phenomenal talk by trend guru Kjell A. Nordström.

Repeating his success at the 2001 and 2002 Summits, thunderous applause rang out for an ingenious and pioneering speaker - the culmination of a two-day event that, as in previous years, was distinguished by speakers of the highest standard. Once again, the Summit was a skilfully compiled blend of information, inspiration and networking, an educational and contact platform of the highest quality - an event custom-made to take account of the professional foodservice specialists from 25 countries. Around 60% of participants were repeaters - a compliment for the concept of the organisers, the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, the University of Central Florida and Food- Service Europe & Middle East.
 
Participants were particularly interested in the broader and productive perspective promised by the organisers. In addition to examples of benchmarking in the sector, the CEO Panel and tangible market statistics and analysis presented by Gretel Weiss, FSE & ME, and Jochen Pinsker of npd Group, impulses generated by trend research from neighbouring fields, such as food design and even seemingly remote issues such as the art of conducting an orchestra, have a firm place in the programme of every Summit. In other words, it's all about innovative ideas that prompt us to seek a new perspective and produce the intellectual freedom essential for creativity. Chaired skilfully as always by Prof. Christopher Muller of the University of Central Florida, this year's ‘Think Tank for the Restaurant Industry' was held under the motto ‘Change Management und Leadership'.
 
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