The FEDA Annual Conference has long been known as the industry’s best annual event for executives to come together and make professional connections. Much of that happens during the informal moments of the conference, but structured networking is often even more effective. With new social events planned for 2024 and several favorites returning, building business relationships at the FEDA Annual Conference is a slam dunk.
Basketball Showcase Game and Skills Competition
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. MDT, Sept. 19
The newest networking opportunity is the Basketball Showcase Game and Skills Competition, a fundraising event for the FEDA Education Foundation. Held on an outdoor court with a scenic lakeside setting, the game will feature players from dealer, business services and manufacturer companies for a friendly, but competitive five-on-five contest. With 18 players set to take part — coached by two leaders from attending companies — there promises to be plenty of reasons for conference goers to spectate the game and root for their peers.
Those who don’t want to box out or post up will still have a chance to participate. Halftime will feature a skills contest where four players will face off in a dribbling challenge and a game of HORSE.
Space is limited, so interested attendees are encouraged to email Membership and Business Development Manager Isabelle Piotrowski at [email protected] for sign-up information. Companies interested in having one of their staff participate are asked to make a $2,000 donation to the FEDA Education Foundation for the basketball game and/or a $1,000 donation for the skills contest.
Cheyenne Mountain Golf Tournament
8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. MDT, Sept. 17
There’s a good reason golf courses have a reputation for being the place where business deals get made. A round of golf is a shared experience where a small group of players spend a few leisurely hours together free from outside interruptions — the perfect setting to talk shop.
The FEDA Annual Conference’s yearly golf tournament is the perfect way to facilitate those conversations. Set against the stunning Rocky Mountains, the course at Cheyenne Mountain Resort offers 18 holes designed by famed architect Pete Dye that will challenge players of any skill level. Each foursome will work as a team in a scramble format to achieve the lowest score, with the top groups awarded at a luncheon immediately following the tournament. Prizes will also be given for the longest drive and closest to the pin contests at certain holes.
Conference registrants may sign up for the golf tournament on a first-come, first-served basis and FEDA will arrange foursomes. The tournament is limited to 72 players, so those interested should make sure to sign up as soon as possible by visiting https://learn.feda.com/2024-conference-golf. Please note that participants must complete their conference registration before signing up for the golf tournament.
Putting and Pours
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. MDT, Sept. 18
Some conference attendees may want to enjoy the fun and comradery of golf without having to play a full round. For those individuals, FEDA is excited to introduce another first-time networking event at the 2024 conference: Putting and Pours, a nine-hole putting contest that will take place on the putting green in the back of the clubhouse.
Aside from showing off their putting skills, participants will enjoy tastings from Stranahan’s, Colorado’s first legal whiskey distillery since the Prohibition era. Produced in Denver, Stranahan’s Rocky Mountain Single Malt whiskey is handcrafted in small batches from four ingredients: malted barley, yeast, Rocky Mountain water, and time in a barrel. In the 18 years since its first batch, Stranahan’s has built its reputation as a leader in single malt whiskeys, having been honored as the 2022 Colorado American Single Malt Distillery of the Year by the New York International Spirits Competition. It has also won recognition from the Bartender Spirits Award, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the World Whiskey Awards, among others.
Putting and Pours is open to all conference attendees and there is no need to sign up. Simply show up during the networking event and scorecards, putters and balls will be provided.
Pickleball Networking
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. MDT, Sept. 18
Pickleball is among the country’s fastest-growing sports, having added more than 1,000 new play locations in 2023, according to USA Pickleball. Its rising popularity and easy-to-learn nature made it the ideal choice for a new networking activity at the FEDA Annual Conference.
The sport is similar to tennis except that it is played with smaller paddles on a badminton-sized court. Conference attendees will be able to enjoy doubles matches on outdoor courts with Cheyenne Mountain as a backdrop. All skill levels are welcome and players will receive a quick overview of how to play. There is no need to sign up in advance. Instead, those interested in participating will just need to check in at the resort’s fitness center.
Young Industry Leaders Reception
5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. MDT, Sept. 17
The next generation of foodservice equipment and supplies leaders will have their own chance to mingle and get to know other emerging stars at the Young Industry Leaders Reception. Open to all conference attendees between ages 21 and 46, this special reception will be held in the Remington Room, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer guests a panoramic view of the resort grounds. Attendees will enjoy high-end hors d’oeuvres and a premium bar as they engage in conversation and learn more about each other companies and roles.