JUNE 2011 - $25.00 National Ice Cream Retailers Association NICRA SUPPLIER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Get Out There! Ideas for Participating in Community Events By: Lily Kerrigan, PreGel AMERICA Summer is here and with the rising temperatures come more opportunities to get outside. It s a great time to take the show on the road and introduce your frozen desserts to a whole new group of customers. Chances are your community has several local events (indoor and outdoor) throughout the year, designed to bring local businesses and consumers together. Being a part of these events can yield an increase in sales in a short amount of time, demonstrate that you are invested in your local culture and drive traffic to your permanent location. Plus, once you find an event that s a good fit for your business, you can do it every year and become a regular which will give your customers something to look forward to. Here are some tips on how to seek out and participate in events near you! Local events are most commonly planned by: The Chamber of Commerce; your city tourism bureau; local business associations; schools, colleges or universities; churches or fraternal organizations or clubs. Start the search for events in your area by checking resources such as: local newspaper; local TV news; community magazines or newsletters; social media sites such as Facebook; eventful.com; local.yahoo.com and meetup.com. Many news outlets such as your local paper and TV station also have websites where you can find listings of events as well as links to the actual event website to find more information. These events can be as short as a few hours or as long as a few days. Before you make a decision to participate, be sure to investigate details such as: How much does participation cost and what is included in the fee? IN THIS ISSUE Get Out There! Ideas for Participating in Community Events by Lily Kerrigan, PreGel AMERICA...1 Summertime by Alexis Dabdoub, Metalfrio Solutions...2 2011 Seminar Schedule...4 Wednesday...4 Thursday...4 Friday...6 Saturday...8 2010 Convention Review & Invitation by David Zimmermann, Royal Scoop...10 Henry s Homemade Celebrates 25 Years...10 Capannari Wins Award...11 2011 Officers, Board Members & Supplier Officers...12 Is there existing equipment you can use or will you have to provide your own freezer? (Note: if you plan to do many events, you may want to invest in a freezer cart or mobile display case specifically for this purpose.) You will most likely have special electrical needs, can they provide the power your machines require? Is the event indoors or outdoors and what is the plan for inclement weather? What kind of decorations can you use? Will they provide a tent, umbrella or curtains or can you bring your own? Are balloons allowed? When are you able to set up and tear down? Are there rules about loading/unloading? Who is available to work the event? Assign shifts if the event is more than a few hours long. Recommendation: do not assign shifts longer than four hours for an outdoor event, especially in the summer! Is there a limit on portion size? Is there a limit on allergy-sensitive products such as milk or peanuts? If the event requires you to leave your property unattended overnight, what is the security plan? Do you need to provide a certificate of liability insurance? Who else will be there? You may want to avoid being positioned right next to a competitor or very similar product. How many people do they expect?
Who is your main contact person and what is his/her mobile number? Will this person be on hand for the day of the event? What is the cancellation policy? You never know what might happen, but if you think there s a chance you may not be able to participate fully in the event, do not commit to attending. There s no quicker way to sour a relationship with your community than standing them up! Another important detail to consider is if you are interested in selling your products at a community event and how you will be receiving payment. Some local events work on a ticket or token system which requires attendees to change in their money to a standardized unit and then receive payment at the end of the event. If this is the case, check with event management on the rules to determine if you are only allowed to accept their unit of payment or if you can also take cash. Note, even if you plan to provide your product for free (or tips only) make sure to clear it with event management. Finally, here are some other suggestions for how to get the most out of your time (and money) at the event: Advertise the fact that you are going to participate in the community event by hanging posters in your shop, listing the date on your website and social media sites and, of course, telling all your customers. Often, event management will give you the opportunity to participate in their advertising efforts or charge a fee to be included. Make a flyer or handcard to pass out at the event to remind people of where your permanent location is and what you sell (a business card may not be memorable enough on its own). If you have a website or social media page, add that to your handouts as well. Have a vinyl banner printed at any local copy store with your shop s logo to use as a backdrop. Give away a small token prize that is branded such as stickers, temporary tattoos, balloons, pens, magnets, etc. (especially effective for an event with kids). Consider getting special t-shirts made with your business s logo and the name/year of the event for your staff to wear. T- shirt printers always offer volume discounts so you can order more than you need for your staff and use the extras as raffle giveaways, charity donations or even to sell as a souvenir in your booth. Make a special flavor or product just for the community event. This is a great place to try a new idea - if it s popular, then you can add it to your regular offerings. Best of luck to you this year! SUMMERTIME by Alexis Dabdoub, Metalfrio Solutions Summer is a unique season of amazement and wonderment. It is a favorite for most of us who enjoy watching time slow down amid the hustle and bustle of the other seasons. The mere fact that the sun and its miraculous warmth is available most of the day, adventurers as well as couch potatoes are able to indulge in this brisk heat to improve their vigor and quality of life. They do this by adhering to an unorganized schedule of cycling through the town and throughout the neighborhoods and by jogging on the lush garden trails while feeling that grainy, scribbly stuff running down your back called sweat. You don t mind the experience because no one cares about their appearance. During this special season, sports are very popular with spectators attending all types of baseball games from pee-wee baseball, to local intramurals or professional. Yes, everyone gets into the action to sit and cheer for their home teams. Beaches are also another sanctuary to relax and revive. The cool salty water mixed with the sun are priceless coupled with the hot sands in between your toes capture the hearts of every man, woman and child as well as the family dog. The cool mist of salt water as it hits your face makes you become alive and invigorated again. Not to mention that suddenly everyone becomes a sculptor and uses their artistry to create the most illustrious sandcastles that capture the imagination of everyone and the curiousity of their audience. For some of us, it is the laziest time of the year that they spend their 2 http://www.nicra.org
afternoons at the local theater just catching up on movies whether there are the classics or the most recent releases with a large tin of buttery popcorn to satisfy their taste buds. Laughter embellishes this season of merriment, everyone is relaxing with family and is at peace with themselves. Each and every one of us becomes a child again recreating our summer days of youth whether within ourselves or through the eyes of our children so that they can appreciate what summer can bring. Summer days create memories of long walks along the beach, finding that special watering hole or just basking in the sun. It is a kind season for little ones to just enjoy those do absolutely nothing days and not even thinking of doing homework. Their minds are decluttered from everything learned from the last school year. Eating the coldest mouth-watering watermelon slices after playing hide and seek and winning every single time. Now that s a feeling of accomplishment. You can only enjoy the cool breezes during these short summer nights in the screened-in porch while listening to those sweet and oh so special nostalgic stories of summers past from your most loving and kindest narrator-your grandma-no one can tell a story like her and you know that as you get older those will surely be the moments most missed. It is also a time where families crowd around the backyard to barbecue using their favorite and unique old recipes handed down from generations of family chefs. Then you have others who indulge in magazines and cooking channels to experiment on new and maybe improved recipes of the same concoctions. Since 1918 Leading dairy, ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturers have depended on Oringer for the finest quality ingredients. Bases Fruits Variegates Flavor Systems Syrups and Toppings Even with all the new and improved recipes the best are still hot dogs, apple pies and lemonade and most importantly, ice cream. Ice cream began and continues to be the highest grossing commodity of all generations. Whether it is homemade or bought at the local grocery store or ice cream stand, it knows just how to smooth our palates and makes us feel like we are the kings and queens of the world. Some can t wait to order their ice cream sundaes and ice cream floats; for, they frolic the souls of all who partake in such an adventure. One very nostalgic moment that my grandpa would remember with fondness was when he and his dad would walk to the neighborhood drug store in his hometown of Gettysburg and would ask for chocolate, vanilla and strawberry and he would watch the man with the enormously large creamy white hat handpack each flavor in the containers. They would then walk back to their home where they dish out their favorite flavors in their special bowls with pretzels-all done in a summer night. Yes, we all do such special things during this season of wonderment. It is amazing time to enjoy family and friends eating your most favorite foods and relishing in the miraculous warmth of the sun during the day and the cool crisp breeze of the short summer night always relishing sweet scents of summers. A division of Concord Foods, Inc. 10 Minuteman Way, Brockton, MA 02301 508-580-1700 Fax 508-584-9425 http://www.nicra.org 3
2011 Seminar Schedule Wednesday, November 2, 2011 Noon 5:00 PM Open Registration - Suppliers Setup Exhibits 1:15 PM 5:30 PM Convention Kick Off Program Moderator: David Zimmermann, Royal Scoop Moderator: Lynn Dudek, Ruth Ann s Ice Cream 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM Business Plan SCORE Representative 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM What Do You Need to Open a Store (Equipment & Products) Soft Serven and Batch Freezers 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM Coffee Break 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM Count Down to Opening/The Big Day Nindi Wadhwa, Scooptacular 3:30 PM 4:15 PM NICRA Member Benefits Mark Leichtman, Ice Cream Clinic John Pitchford, JP s Custard Cart @ 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM Break 4:30 PM 5:00 PM First Timers Meting Lisa Sorrentino, Anderson s Frozen Custard Jay Rentschler, Upstate Farms Jim Ross, Flat Pennies Ice Cream 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Ask the Panel Questions & Answers with Industry Experts 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM NICRA Past Presidents Reception & Cash Bar 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM Welcome Dinner (Ticket Required) 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM Your Best New Flavor Contest Exhibits Open - Cash Bar Demonstration Time Thursday, November 3, 2011 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Registration Open 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Opening Breakfast (Ticket Required) Welcome & Opening Remarks 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Speaker: Steve Gilliand Moderator: Dan Messer, Eskamoe s Frozen Custard 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM Exhibits Open 10:35 AM - 11:55 AM Coffee Break Visit Supplier Exhibit Room Win NICRA Bucks Demonstration Time Noon - 12:45 PM Luncheon (Ticket Required) Round Table Discussion Topics: Ice Cream Cakes; Wholesaling; New Start Up Concerns; Marketing/Promotion; Hiring; Employee Issues; Credit/Gift Cards; Catering/ Off Site; Pick Your Topic; Time Management; First Year Experience; Business Insurance; Internet Marketing 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM Best Flavor Contest Demonstration Time 4 http://www.nicra.org
5
1:50 PM - 3:00 PM Promotion of the Year Award Presentations Lynda Utterback, The National Dipper 3:05 PM - 3:20 PM Coffee Break 3:20 PM 4:20 PM Concurrent Sessions Understanding Financial Statements 101 Avoiding Health Code Violations Purveyors of fine flavors Refreshing Your Store Identity (Signs, Menu Boards) Nanette Frey, Frey s Tasty Treats Mary Leopold, Leopold s Ice Cream 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Concurrent Sessions Building an Employee Handbook Understanding Financial Statements 202 David Deadman, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Catering 6:00 PM Evening Reception & Dinner River City Brewing Company (Ticket Required) Friday, November 4, 2011 8:00 AM 4:00 PM Convention Registration 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast 8:45 AM - 10:15 AM Concurrent Sessions Cake Decorating Beginner Hands On Elizabeth Riggs, Bakery Crafts Social Media 101 David Zimmermann, Royal Scoop Social Media 202 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM Coffee Break - Demonstration Time 10:45 AM - 11:55 AM Concurrent Sessions Team Empowerment Gift Card Programs The Interview Process 6 http://www.nicra.org
7
11:00 AM Noon Supplier Meeting Noon - 12:45 PM Luncheon (Ticket Required) Round Table Discussion Topics: Ice Cream Cakes; Wholesaling; New Start Up Concerns; Marketing/Promotion; Hiring; Employee Issues; Credit/Gift Cards; Catering/ Off Site; Pick Your Topic; Time Management; First Year Experience; Business Insurance; Internet Marketing 12:45 PM - 1:10 PM Ice Cream Clinic Review Dr. Johnny McGregor, Clemson University Moderator: Mark Leichtman, Berzaci 1:00 PM 9:00 PM Exhibit Hours 1:20 PM - 2:00 PM Ice Cream Clinic Dr. Johnny McGregor, Clemson University Demonstration Time 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Concurrent Sessions Cake Decorating 202 Inspecting Your Own Store Store Security 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM Coffee Break Demonstration Time 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM Concurrent Sessions Turning Your Constant Contact Into Revenue Mission Imperative Not Impossible Holly Anderson, Anderson s Frozen Custard Lisa Sorrentino, Andeson s Frozen Custard Equipment Maintenance Panel Soft Serve/Batch Freezer 5:15 PM - 9:00 PM NICRA Party Sponsored by the Suppliers Bryce Thomson Scholarship Silent & Live Auctions Saturday, November 5, 2011 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast 1550 Shields Drive, Waukegan, IL 60085 800-525-7873 (PURE) NielsenMassey.com 8 http://www.nicra.org
8:00 AM Leave for Optional Golf Tournament (Ticket Required) 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM To be announced 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Coffee Break 10:15 AM - 12 Noon Roundtable Get Your Final Questions Answered 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Tour - Taste of Jacksonville (Ticket Required) 6:30 PM Cocktail Party 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Awards Banquet (Ticket Required) PLEASE NOTE: Seminar topics and/or dates and times are subject to change due to the availability of speakers. 2010 CONVENTION REVIEW By David Zimmermann, Royal Scoop Ice Cream The 2010 convention was a combination of fun and learning. Set in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee we were surrounded by history and beauty. It was great to see old friends become reacquainted as they met in the lobby upon arrival. We had many new faces in the crowd too. Some of these new faces really stood out and you can tell they are going to sweeten the industry. workplace. We had classes on cake decorating to inventory management, from hiring and product pricing to facebook, twitter and beyond. Another new seminar that was well received was entitled understanding your financial statements. Dave Deadman of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream did a marvelous job of making a complicated subject sweet and easy. He explained the vocabulary within the statements as well as how they are put together and what they are used for. In fact, a follow-up entitled Understanding Financials 201 is scheduled for this next convention. We knew our convention was popular, but when those venturing out for the evening to music row came back with stories of celebrity sightings we were still surprised and honored that so many country music stars would travel to Nashville to be in town for our convention. Some thought these celebrities were just in town for the CMA awards, however, we are confident that the CMA s were in town cause the NICRA convention was there. Ron Cates of Constant Contact gave a fantastic seminar on the power of email marketing. I imagine that many of you reading this have already checked your email today, some of you more than once. As Ron pointed out the return on investment for this method of advertising is incredible. In addition, the speed with which you can distribute information to huge groups of your known customers is amazing. Since you have made it this far you have probably figured that is not just a walk down memory lane it is also an invitation to join us in Jacksonville, Florida for our upcoming convention. As Jim Mitchell of Woodside Creamery put it I always find something of value at the convention that helps us in our business. The seminars began Wednesday with a day devoted to the challenges of getting into the ice cream business. We covered everything from the health inspector, to opening day marketing to the many benefits of being a NICRA member. Carrisa Wadhwa, of Scooptaclular in Arizona had this to say about her first trip to a NICRA convention, I learned so much from each presenter, as well as the participants in each seminar, as they shared personal experiences which helped us in many aspects of running our business. We opened the convention with an energetic keynote speaker, Karen McCullough who provided tremendous insight to the varied generations that we as employers have to deal with. I for one came away with some great new ideas and practical advice on how to address situations with our team members, said Lisa Sorrentino of Anderson s Frozen Custard. Karen, focused on Generation X and how they differ from prior generations in the workplace. Karen then went on to explain how those of us beyond that generation could better understand, relate and encourage them as they join us in the Commit to a sweeter future for your company and join us in Jacksonville, Florida November 2 5, 2011. Visit www. nicra.org to see what others have said at the Nashville convention. While there, take a moment to sign up for your Constant Contact mailers (do this on the members only side of the website) and of course sign up to attend the upcoming convention. HENRY S HOMEMADE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS Free ice cream, balloons and a buzz of conversation overtook the quiet shopping center at Parker and Independence Roads in Plano, Texas on Friday, May 13 th and it proved to be a very lucky day for Henry Gentry of Henry s Homemade Ice Cream. The day marked twenty-five years in business for Henry s Homemade Ice Cream. Henry s wife, Carolyn Tolley joined him in the festivities as did relatives and friends who flew in from out of state including: his parents, Henry Sr. and Shirley Gentry, Aunt Duck, as well as his friend and mentor, 10 http://www.nicra.org
Mark Leichtman, who commented, Twenty-five years in business is an amazing thing. Twenty-five years in the ice ream business? That s unheard of. It was 1986 when Henry opened his first shop of decadently rich ice cream in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with his parents and aunt assisting him in the business. In 1992, Henry relocated to Plano and opened Henry s Homemade Ice Cream at Fairview Farms located on the east side of Plano. After coming to Plano, Henry didn t waste a minute getting involved in the local business community. On Friday, he was flanked by many of those original business owners as he gave a humorous and humble speech, thanking them as well as his family, friends and customers for their support during the last quarter century. Lissa Smith, City Councilwoman was there to present a plaque of recognition on behalf of State Senator Florence Shapiro, which had been signed and authorized by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. Plano Mayer, Phil Dyer presented Henry with a Proclamation designating Friday, May 13 th as Henry s Homemade Ice Cream Day. The Mayor led the crowd to shout out the Henry s slogan saying, Ice Cream to which the crowd replied, makes you pretty! The formal presentation ended with newly installed Plano City Manager Bruce Glascock congratulating Henry on his impressive accomplishment and thanking him for being a loyal and valuable part of the Plano community. Following the speeches, the crowd moved out to the patio area for the official ribbon cutting, assisted and presented by the newly formed regional North Texas Chamber. Henry s Homemade Ice Cream is a manufacturer and supplier of gourmet, handmade, all-natural, super-premium ice cream and toppings for caterers, restaurants, hotels, parties and the retail store located at 3100 Independence Pkwy, Suite 215 in Plano, Texas. CAPANNARI WINS AWARD Capannari Ice Cream, Mount Prospect, Illinois has won the Northwest Suburban Education Career Partnership 2011 Business Recognition Award from the Prospect High School. Their award-winning gourmet ice cream store is a highly respected small business. They have been willing to share their knowledge and experience by providing outstanding Career Night and Entrepreneur Day presentations and they have employed over 100 local students, stated Lori Price, a 214 career advisor. We are sincerely grateful for the time and energy they have given to the students in District 214. Capannari Ice Cream is honored to win this award. According to Katie Dolan Dix, it is the community awards we are most proud of. We make it a part of our mission and philosophy to be a part of the community in which we work and to provide opportunities in jobs for our local youth. Capannari s has employed more than 100 kids in the past ten years, most of which come out of the 214 schools. Subscribe to The National Dipper The only magazine that keeps you up-to-date in the retail frozen dessert industry. Regular columns include: New Products Industry News Calendar of Events Classified Special features include: Equipment Reviews Management Articles Association Events Employee Training Promotions Annual Source Book Also Available: Dipping Tips Training Posters Manuals for Costing Products Employee Training Posters Point of Sale Posters Magazine Binders Call or write for a subscription today! 1028 West Devon Avenue Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-7226 Phone: (847) 301-8400 Fax: (847) 301-8402 e-mail: lynda@nationaldipper.com Subscribe on-line at: www.nationaldipper.com http://www.nicra.org 11
2011 NICRA OFFICERS President Lynn Dudek, Ruth Ann s, No. Muskegon, Michigan President Elect Dan Messer, Eskamoe s Frozen Custard, Monroe, La. Vice President David Zimmermann, Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream Bonita Springs, Fla. Secretary/Treasurer Nanette Frey, Frey s Tasty Treat, Inc., E. Amherst, N. Y. Secretary/Treasurer Elect Carl Chaney, Chaney s Dairy Barn, Bowling Green, Ky. Immediate Past President Bob Turner, Dairy Corner, Urbana, Ohio Executive Director Lynda Utterback, Elk Grove Village, Ill. Terms Ending Annual Meeting 2011 Rod Oringer, Concord Foods Brockton, Massachusetts Rick Pizzi, Pizzi Farm Ice Cream Waltham, Massachusetts Jim Ross, Flat Pennies Ice Cream Bay City, Wisconsin Roberta Rudolph, Custard Cone Roscoe, Illinois Terms Ending Annual Meeting 2012 Carl Chaney, Chaney s Dairy Barn Bowling Green, Kentucky Cliff Freund, Cliff s Dairy Maid Ledgewood, New Jersey Juergen Kloo, Joy Cone Co. Hermitage, Pennsylvania John Pitchford, JP s Custard Cart, Albuquerque, New Mexico Joe Venuti, Bedford Farms Ice Cream Bedford, Massachusetts Terms Ending Annual Meeting 2013 Mary Leopold, Leopold s Ice Cream Savannah, Georgia Jim Marmion, Advanced Gourmet Equipment Greensboro, North Carolina Neil McWilliams, Spring Dipper Mammoth Spring, Arkansas Jeff Myers, The Double Dip Lebanon, Ohio MISSION STATEMENT FOR NICRA The mission of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association (NICRA), a non-profit trade association, is to be the leader in the frozen dessert industry that others look to for help, support and education. NICRA will promote business growth and development throughout the industry. VISION OF THE ASSOCIATION NICRA will associate with similar associations dedicated to the same interests. NICRA will facilitate communication and education that both newcomers and veterans in the industry desire to be successful. NICRA will maintain a feeling of family within the association as it grows, and be dedicated to responsibly managing the association while maximizing value to the members. NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY NICRA is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all of its endeavors. To that end, NICRA shall not tolerate any words or acts of discrimination, harassment or any inappropriate behavior in general against any person affiliated with NICRA, including its members and guests, with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation. This Bulletin is published by: National Ice Cream Retailers Association 1028 West Devon Avenue Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-7226 847/301-7500 - Fax: 847/301-8402 David Zimmermann, Chairman Publications Committee Lynda Utterback, Editor 2011 National Ice Cream Retailers Association Vol. 32, No. 6 This issue of the NICRA Bulletin is now available online at http://www.nicra.org. Click on the Members Only button and enter your Username and Password. If you cannot find your Username and Password, call the NICRA office at 866-303-6960 or send an e-mail to info@ nicra.org requesting the information. 2010 SUPPLIER OFFICERS President Margaret Anderson, Taylor Freezer of New England Norwood, Massachusetts Vice President Tom Zak, Concord Foods, Brockton, Massachusetts Secretary/Treasurer Mary Kircher, Dingman s Dairy, Paterson, New Jersey Chairman Rich Draper, Ice Cream Club, Inc., Boynton Beach, Fla. 12 http://www.nicra.org