2021 Annual Conference Schedule

View our annual conference schedule below. Please note our agenda is subject to change without notice, so be sure to check back. As we get more information secured we will post more details about sessions, speakers, and events to help you plan your conference experience.

Continuing Education Credits: AHF is pleased to offer attendees continuing education credits at each of our annual conferences. Each year AHF obtains certification approval from AND, ANFP, and ACF. Our 2021 conference has not yet been accredited, however, we typically offer between 13-16 available credits.

Leadership Competencies: Business acumen, emotional maturity, executive management skills, employee retention and engagement, service orientation, team building, strategic innovation, strategic thought, vision setting, risk taking, decision making, communications and marketing, and more.

Use the tabs below to see the agenda for each day of the conference.

Day 1 - Mon. Aug. 23

9:00-1:00 PM	Local Dallas Area Activities (optional add-ons) – More information TBA
2:00-4:30 PM	Pre Conference Session – AHF Benchmarking EXPRESS Program Preconference sessions are a great way to take a deeper dive into a critical topic for self-operated foodservice professionals or to actively participate in a workshop.	Planned CEUs: 2.5
2:00-4:30 PM	Pre Conference Session – Culinary Innovations Learn from AHF Business Partners as they share the newest products to add to your healthcare and senior dining menus. This pre-conference session will cover creative ways to elevate your menus and offerings.	Planned CEUs: 2.5
4:30-6:00 PM	Attendee Free Time AHF may place unique learning opportunities for specific groups here or preparations for items such as our Awards Ceremony or Culinary Competition, but for most this will be free time.
6:00-7:00 PM	New Attendee Cocktail Hour Join other first time attendees, make new connections, and meet AHF’s leadership. AHF will provide light refreshments and following the hour, members will transition into our Opening Reception with the remainder of our attendees.
7:00-10:00 PM	Opening Reception Join us for the first reception of the week! This is your chance to reconnect with friends and colleagues after a long separation. Be sure to come ready to safely network, make new connections, and most of all have fun.

Day 2 - Tue. Aug. 24

TBA	Registration Open
7:45-8:30 AM	Breakfast Come grab breakfast and get fueled up for the day!
8:30-8:45 AM	Welcome to AHF 2021! Conference Opening Remarks
8:45-9:45 AM	Opening Keynote Presentation – Speaker: Christopher Ridenhour Join us for our first keynote speaker to get inspired and start the day off.	Planned CEUs: 1
9:45-10:45 AM	Concurrent Session – Break the Mold – Rethink Your Service Model & Win!	Planned CEUs: 1
9:45-10:45 AM	Concurrent Session – Deep Dive with Keynote Speaker, Christopher Ridenhour	Planned CEUs: 1
10:45-11:15 AM	NETWORKING BREAK Coffee, tea, and snack break
11:15-12:15 PM	General Session – Speaker: Mark Toomey	Planned CEUs: 1
12:30-4:00 PM	Tradeshow & Marketplace (Lunch in Hall by Sponsors) Our Tradeshow is one of our most loved events of the conference. Browse new products, materials, and services from our amazing business partners. Our sponsors have spent all year building new innovations to help attendees battling an ever-shifting environment. Grab lunch from our sponsor booths as you browse and try out their latest product offerings.	Planned CEUs: 3
4:00-5:00 PM	Concurrent Session – Break the Mold – Rethink Your Service Model & Win!	Planned CEUs: 1
4:00-5:00 PM	Concurrent Session – Pandemic Proof Your Retail & Dining Operations	Planned CEUs: 1
6:00-8:00 PM	AHF Culinary Competition & Reception Join us to watch our culinary competitors while you eat and drink with the audience.
8:00-10:00 PM	AHF Reception & Afterparty

Day 3 - Wed. Aug. 25

7:00 AM -4:00 PM	Registration Open
6:30 AM -7:30 AM	Rise and Shine – Exercise Activity Start the morning with a light exercise activity. More details to be provided.
8:00-9:00 AM	Business Partner De-Brief (With Breakfast) We encourage all our sponsors and exhibitors to join us for our discussion on what AHF did well and how we can add in new innovations next year. This is your chance to provide us with honest feedback.
8:00-9:00 AM	Breakfast Attendees can come grab breakfast and get fueled up for the day!
9:00-10:00 AM	Morning Keynote Presentation – Speaker: Erin Moran Join us for our first keynote speaker of the day and start things off with an exceptional presentation.	Planned CEUs: 1
10:00-10:30 AM	NETWORKING BREAK Coffee, tea, and snack break
10:30-10:35 AM	AHF FISH Talks FISH Talks™ (Food, Innovation, Service, and Hospitality) are short 15 minute presentations on innovative and unique topics by subject matter experts. Each focuses on a different area of the industry leaving views with a series of inspiring ideas. This will be our third year presenting FISH Talks and so far our members tell us this is one of their favorite sessions!	FISH Talk Total Planned CEUs: 1.5
10:35-10:50 AM	FISH Speaker – Food
10:50-11:05 AM	FISH Speaker – Innovation
11:05-11:20 AM	FISH Speaker – Service
11:20-11:35 AM	FISH Speaker – Hospitality
11:35-12:00 PM	FISH Panel Discussion & Q&A Moderated by Erin Moran
12:00-12:45 PM	NETWORKING BREAK Take a break, grab and snack and a drink and mingle with members and sponsors before going back into sessions.
12:45-2:15 PM	Celebrate Excellence Awards Luncheon Join us as we announce, celebrate, and honor our 2021 Award Winners. This is a critical event where we highlight industry leaders who have gone above and beyond over the past year.	Planned CEUs: 1.5
2:15-3:15 PM	Concurrent Session – Group Purchasing Organizations A fun dive into a specific topic, or in some cases, a mini workshop-style session.	Planned CEUs: 1
2:15-3:15 PM	Concurrent Session – Customer Experience A fun dive into a specific topic, or in some cases, a mini workshop-style session.	Planned CEUs: 1
2:15-3:15 PM	Concurrent Session – Building Your Team – How to Build a Culinary Apprenticeship Program A fun dive into a specific topic, or in some cases, a mini workshop-style session.	Planned CEUs: 1
3:15-3:45 PM	NETWORKING BREAK Take a break, grab and snack and a drink and mingle with members and sponsors before going back into sessions.
3:45-5:00 PM	Closing Keynote Presentation – Speaker: Kathy Parry Closeout our series of sessions with our final keynote address on Resiliency. Leave with final thoughts on how you can remain energized.	Planned CEUs: 1
5:00-6:00 PM	Fundraising Activity Have some fun with us as we raise funds for AHF’s scholarship program.
6:00-7:00 PM	Breaktime
7:30-11:00 PM	Reception: Celebrate AHF! Our final reception of the conference! Don’t miss this chance to dress up, eat amazing food, and networking with friends and colleagues before heading home tomorrow.