About Catersource
Catersource, owned by Informa Connect, engages the industry, builds community, and connects caterers to current and reputable products, information, and services relevant to their business. It includes Catersource magazine, various e-newsletters, the Candid Conversations by Catersource podcast, Catersource Conference & Tradeshow, Leading Caterers of America Executive Summit, and the Art of Catering Food (co-sponsored by the International Caterers Association).
If you are interested in providing content for any of the digital or live platforms, see subhed "Content Opportunities" which describes the processes, including our diversity goals.
About parent company, Informa Connect
UK-based Informa Connect organises major branded annual events and operates specialist digital communities that are key convening places for a particular market. We run around 800 events each year in over 60 countries, create digital platforms based on engaging news and information content, and operate professional development programmes for individuals and businesses in Global Finance, Life Sciences and Pharma and in a number of other specialist markets. Read here about Informa AllSecure, our 10 key commitments to your safety.
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CONTENT OPPORTUNITIES
Catersource is dedicated to creating a safe space for all and supporting underrepresented voices and work in the industry through a variety of programs and partnerships. This includes providing blog space on Catersource.com, ensuring that BIPOC catering and event professionals are featured in our content, and placing qualified industry professionals of all races, religions, and color on our conference stages.
We also recognize that these efforts must be ongoing and evolving. We are committed to actively deepening our relationship and support of organizations that serve these communities and encouraging diversity in our content providers.
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Conference (Live) Content
As conference organizers, we want to support catering and event professionals by ensuring all attendees feel welcome and included. To that end, we are always open to elevating new, diverse voices for our live content. Here is how you can be involved:
Conference Sessions at Catersource
Types
– Breakout sessions (averaging 125 sessions of various lengths and topics including demonstrations, hands-on, panel discussions, and traditional presentations)
– Keynotes & other invited speakers (main, luncheon, or bridge stage sessions which resonate with a wide swath of attendees)
Breakout Session Selection Process
Our conference speaker selection process is as follows:
1. Breakouts are typically sourced in a three- to four-month long Call for Sessions, which is broadcast via industry e-newsletters such as our bi-monthly Get Fresh, social media, noted within Catersource magazine, and posted on our community website, catersource.com.
2. A new Catersource initiative mandates additional outreach to BIPOC associations and groups via personal contact and other methods
3. Proposed sessions are vetted by no less than three individuals so that its review is not skewed by implicit bias. They are scored (1–5) and commented upon
4. Similar session proposals that score equally will also be vetted via speaker-provided video and/or character references
5. Catersource will absolutely consider accepting a session from someone who has not ever stepped onto a conference stage and will offer mentoring/guidance to ensure the session is ready and presenter is comfortable. New voices are crucial to provide context in our industry.
6. Our goal is to provide our audiences with well qualified speakers and we know we need to work harder to offer a more diverse and beautiful melting pot of voices to our conference. However, we will not place an unqualified speaker on stage merely to enhance BIPOC or LGBTQI presence.
Keynote & Invited Guest Selection Process
Our keynote speaker selection process is as follows:
1. These curated sessions are based on current, researched, and/or perceived industry educational needs. Criteria includes:
• Industry relevance
• Professional expertise
• Topic focus and manner it is presented in
We are fully committed to considering BIPOC and LGBTQI individuals in the same approach that we might consider any other person.
2. Invited speakers are not the decision of just one person, but are discussed internally with colleagues and externally via trusted advisors to ensure the fit is correct for the audience
3. Invited speakers must have video clips available for vetting. References may also be requested.
4. As noted above, our goal is to provide our audiences with well qualified speakers and we know we need to work harder to offer a more diverse and beautiful melting pot of voices to our conference. However, we will not place an unqualified speaker on stage merely to enhance BIPOC or LGBTQI presence.
Digital Content
Content is provided daily to our readership via postings on catersource.com website, weekly hosted podcasts, and in our award-winning quarterly magazine, Catersource. At the bottom of this section you will find links to query, should you be interested in contributing.
Catersource.com posts articles, blogs, and relevant news daily, created in house or bylined by those in the industry. We offer free space to blog on topics relevant to our readership, and welcome anyone with an opinion to share. Topics run the gamut from recipes, sales and marketing, business development, industry issues and news, event trends and solutions, etc. Articles may be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical excellence. Articles may not be promotional in focus, i.e., cannot sell a product or service. We welcome all voices from the community and strive to build toward a better mix of industry professionals of all race, religion, and color.
Candid Conversations by Catersource is an invitation-only podcast, hosted by Clinton Hufft. Guests include those who are on the speaking roster for our live events or interested candidates can approach Catersource’s Director of Community & Content Strategy with an idea for a conversation. The Director also does outreach to potential conversation starters as well. Speakers will discuss their upcoming sessions, might talk about strategies to rebuild after COVID-19, or address a topic such as racial diversity in catering and events.
Catersource magazine, a resource for catering and event professionals distributed quarterly, covers emerging trends, sales and marketing topics, new products and technology, menu creation and innovation, as well as profiles on rising stars, industry influencers, and leading companies that are shaping the future of the industry. Features, departments, and special sections are the hallmark of this award-winning publication and we strive to provide a mix of content that speaks to all individuals within the hospitality industry.
Making diversity and inclusion a priority will help further shape Catersource’s culture, creating a wider range of innovations, backgrounds, and approaches. This will ultimately unite the industry together and create a stronger and more well-rounded experience for all who wish to be involved in learning and growing within the hospitality industry.
If you would like to contribute your thoughts to Catersource’s online or live content, please query:
Kathleen Stoehr, Director of Community & Content Strategy
Email: [email protected]
or
Amber Kispert, Content Producer
Email: [email protected]
