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5 takeaways from the ICR investment conference5 takeaways from the ICR investment conference

Investor sentiment about economy less positive than last year, survey finds

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 19, 2019

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ICR 2019

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Ron Ruggless

Sentiment about the economy soured over the past year, according to a survey of some of the 2,300 registrants at this week’s 21st annual ICR Conference in Orlando, Fla.

ICR, the New York-based strategic communications and advisory firm, surveyed registrants before the event and said 63 percent that were positive about the economy — “a significant 29.8 percent decrease from last year’s survey, which had 92.8 percent of respondents in the positive range.”

About 19 percent were in the negative sentiment, up 2.1 percent from last year, sponsors said. Eighteen percent said they were neutral about the economy. 

Respondents were concerned about such issues in 2019 trade, tariffs, rising interest rates and President Donald Trump’s administration.

Here’s a look at five restaurant executives and issues from delivery to food and labor costs that they addressed in their ICR presentations.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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