Despite the recession, conferences and industry membership organizations continue to host annual, regional, and local events. Zintro asked membership organizations how they are faring in a slow economy and what they are doing to increase membership and attendance.
John Reed is an expert in the culinary arts. He is also an active member and president elect of a ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians Inc., a chapter of the American Culinary Federation. “I am well aware of the challenges of being part of a professional organization in today’s marketplace. Local chapters are managed by volunteers with an elected board of non-paid members who participate because we see the value of being part of a professional organization of like-minded individuals,” he says. “Organizations such as ours provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace with certification, continual education, and networking opportunities. These are the keys to advancement in our present employment market.”
