This summer, Dot Foods customers, suppliers, national account operators, and employees joined together in St. Louis for Innovations 2021.
Attendees were excited for the event to come back after being cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dot worked with the St. Louis City Health Department and St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission to ensure the safety of attendees.
Dot Foods President Dick Tracy shared his gratitude when he addressed attendees at the event: “You have had the toughest year of your lives. Making the decision to come to our show this year means even more to us.”
For many attendees, the three-day event marked the first time they saw each other in over a year. The action kicked off Wednesday, July 21.
Wednesday
Exhibitors arrived at the America’s Center to start setting up their booths, and several met with their sales representatives to discuss our solutions and services. That evening, national account operators, international customers, and exhibitors had the entire Bally Sports Live! entertainment plaza to themselves at Ballpark Village. Attendees enjoyed food and drinks while watching the St. Louis Cardinals go against the Chicago Cubs on the venue’s large screens.
Thursday
National account operators started the day at Operator Insights, which included a seminar from Datassential’s Jack Li, a peer panel about current industry challenges hosted by Flavor & The Menu’s Cathy Nash Holley, and a conversation with renowned chef, author, and Netflix star Chef Roy Choi.
Operator Insights concluded with a private preview of the trade show floor. The preview gave operators a chance to see some of the booths and get a headstart in sampling products and meeting exhibitors.
Dot’s distributor partners arrived to taste exciting small plates from some of our exhibitors. Customers and exhibitors also got to take their pick of enlightening seminars:
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“Exploring Dot’s New Web Experience” by Dot’s Kevin Baum
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“Food Trends in an Accelerating World” by Datassential’s Jack Li
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“Industry Insight: Transportation in 2021 and Beyond” by American Trucking Association's Bob Costello
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“Unstoppable Cultures: Creating and Sustaining Organizations of Enduring Greatness” by Unstoppable Cultures’ Ginger Hardage
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“Act Like an Improviser: Resiliency & Stress Management” by ImprovEdge’s Jake Loewenthal
The day concluded with our welcome events. Unlike years past, attendees had the choice between a socially distant dinner at the Marriott St. Louis Grand and an evening at Union Station. Dot booked the St. Louis Aquarium, the St. Louis Wheel, and other attractions at the Union Station to give attendees the chance to explore the recently remodeled landmark.