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FSTEC 2023 draws wide group of restaurant technology executivesFSTEC 2023 draws wide group of restaurant technology executives

3-day conference features innovation forums and dives into the cutting edge of foodservice IT

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 15, 2023

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FSTEC, the annual conference of foodservice information executives and technology vendors, concluded its three-day conference in Dallas on Friday, featuring a wide array of technology and restaurant executives.

Given that pandemic restrictions had eased and travel to conferences had increased this year, the 2023 FSTEC drew its largest number of attendees ever, organizers said.

The program ranged for Innovation Forum, such as one sponsored by Olo that delved into making restaurants more personal with data, to general sessions that featured restaurant executives and their look at the future of technology in foodservice, from artificial intelligence to the use of new sources of information on customers.

Gregg Majewski, CEO and founder of Craveworthy Brands, was among restaurant executives expressing caution on their approach to technology.

“Hospitality is what we are all about,” Majewski said in a social post after his presentation, “and every decision we make has to make sure we make the guest experience better, but that is not done by replacing the human touch, which makes this industry so special.”

FSTEC was highlighted by an address form eight-time Olympic Winter medalist and speed-skater Apolo Ohno, who offering insights for productivity and performance under any circumstance.

Informa, the international business-to-business markets, digital services, and academic markets group and parent company to Nation’s Restaurant News and CREATE, in May announced the acquisition of Winsight, the B2B information, event and market intelligence company that owns Restaurant Business as well as the National Restaurant Association Show, Restaurant Leadership Conference, FSTEC, Technomic, and more.

FSTEC 2024 is scheduled for Sept. 15-18 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on X/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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