In this episode, Tracy sits down with the PCMA Canada East Chapter Canadian Innovation Conference organizers, Natalie Marino, CMP, DES, Heather Reid, and Erica Orecchio, DES, to discuss how they managed the dietary needs of more than 250 attendees at the conference.  They talk about the challenges of accommodating dietary restrictions and the importance of providing inclusive and transparent food options at events and conferences. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: 1️⃣ Accessibility is crucial: Accessibility should be a top priority and not an afterthought when planning e ..read more

In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), join me as I talk with Teresa Goddard from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) to delve into the intricacies of accommodating employees with food allergies and other medically necessary dietary restrictions. NDEAM, observed each October, serves as a backdrop to this discussion, where we can all learn invaluable lessons for creating safe and inclusive experiences for employees in various workplace settings, from staff lunch meetings and company cafeterias to corporate sales meetings and boardrooms. Whether they have a foo ..read more

To close out Food Safety Awareness Month, Tracy had the privilege of sitting down with the culinary sensation, Executive Chef Sarah Thompson, from Casa Playa at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Chef Sarah, renowned for her exceptional Mexican cuisine, brings a truly unique perspective to both the dining table and the kitchen. In this episode, she graciously shares her culinary journey and her unwavering commitment to creating dining experiences that are not only delicious but also safe, sustainable, and inclusive— all while managing her own celiac disease. Chef Sarah's culinary prowess adds an ext ..read more

Starting September 1st, 2023, Texas set a new standard for food safety with the Sergio Lopez Food Allergy Awareness Act. ?? In this powerful episode of Eating at a Meeting, we hear from Belinda Vaca, a passionate advocate for food allergy awareness and safety. Belinda shares her deeply personal journey, from the heartbreaking loss of her son to a severe allergic reaction, to her unwavering commitment to promoting legislation for food allergy awareness. Through her compelling story, she sheds light on the challenges faced in passing crucial laws, the significance of food allergy posters in rest ..read more

In this year-end conversation about food, Tracy chats with Dani Nierenberg, an American activist, author, journalist, and Co-Founder and President of Food Tank, a non-profit that offers solutions and environmentally sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity, and poverty around the world.  Listen as Tracy and Dani chat about how the state of the US (and global) food system, our most pressing environmental and agricultural, and food issues, the newly approved Food Donation Improvement Act of 2021, and how we can link the cultural, medical, religious, and beliefs around food for a more ..read more

In this year-end conversation about food, Tracy chats with Dani Nierenberg, an American activist, author, journalist, and Co-Founder and President of Food Tank, a non-profit that offers solutions and environmentally sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity, and poverty around the world.  Listen as Tracy and Dani chat about how the state of the US (and global) food system, our most pressing environmental and agricultural, and food issues, the newly approved Food Donation Improvement Act of 2021, and how we can link the cultural, medical, religious, and beliefs around food for a more ..read more

What do climate change, sustainability, and events have to do with each other? A LOT! Two weeks ago in one of my education sessions at IMEX — an events industry convention that has won awards for its sustainability efforts — I was surprised that only 10% of the attendees were currently incorporating sustainability questions in their venue requests for proposal or their events. To boot, a few other sustainability-focused sessions had the same response. When I shared this stat with Shawna McKinley, an event sustainability consultant and instructor based in Vancouver, Canada, we decided to chat a ..read more

Recorded on Day 3 of IMEX America 2022. Tracy is joined by Katie Kulp, a meeting planner whose niche is planning events for groups who have disabilities. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com ..read more

Recorded on Day 2 of IMEX America 2022. Tracy is joined by David Stevens who is a director of field marketing and global events who talks about how to create more healthful events by focusing on three M words — movement, mindfulness, and meals. Listen as they chat about how to provide for your attendees by creating dining experiences that are not exclusive, but inclusive. Let people make their own choices and create their own experiences ..read more

This episode of Eating at a Meeting was recorded live on day 1 of IMEX America 2022. Tracy sat down with Ruud Janssen of the Event Design Collective who designs award-winning corporate events and gatherings. Listen as they chat about how, when, and why food and beverage should be part of the design process. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com ..read more