The New York School Nutrition Association (NYSNA) invites you to submit session proposals for consideration at the 2024 Annual Conference in Verona, NY from October 25-26, 2024.
Interested in Submitting a Proposal?
Here's what you need to know!
NYSNA is looking for proposals in the four key learning areas of USDA Professional Standards:
Key Area 1 – Nutrition
Key Area 2 – Operations
Key Area 3 – Administration
Key Area 4 – Communications & Marketing
Presentation options include:
- 45 minute Educational Sessions
- 45 minute Innovative Solution Sessions
- 45 minute Open Sessions
NYSNA is seeking to develop an overall program that will result in a diverse array of presenters and perspectives including different professional levels and levels of experience. There are many benefits of presenting at NYSNA’s Annual Conference, including:
- Enhancing your visibility as a school nutrition expert through pre-event promotion to NYSNA members.
- Your contribution to advancing the education and development of K-12 school nutrition professionals of NYS.
Don’t miss the opportunity to share your school nutrition expertise!
*Experience has proven that participation in NYSNA’s Annual Conference programming has often provided exposure for speakers garnishing future speaking engagements with districts/local chapters throughout New York State.
SESSION FORMATS & PRESENTER INFORMATION
Educational Sessions (45 minutes)
- Interactive and/or lecture sessions on a specific topic that is presented and discussed.
- The Educational Sessions will take place either Friday or Saturday at the Annual Conference.
- Presenters agree to be available on October 26, 2024. The conference committee will confirm the exact day/time in early Spring of 2024.
- Speakers are expected to make their own travel arrangements and overnight accommodations unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing.
- Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a booth at the 2024 Annual Conference AND register for the “Breakout Workshop” sponsorship ($1,000), if selected.
Innovative Solution Sessions (45 minutes)
- The Innovative Solution Sessions will take place on Saturday at the Annual Conference.
- These unique mini-sessions introduce school nutrition operators to the latest products and services on the market today, while giving industry representatives interested in reaching key decision-makers the opportunity to provide face-to-face, hands-on demonstrations.
- Presenters agree to be available on October 26, 2024. The conference committee will confirm the exact day/time in early Spring of 2024.
- Speakers are expected to make their own travel arrangements and overnight accommodations unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing.
- Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a booth at the 2024 Annual Conference AND register for the “Breakout Workshop” sponsorship ($1,000), if selected.
- Innovation Solution Session speakers must:
- Present a product or service that is applicable and new to the school nutrition market within the past year
- Ensure a well-prepared presentation designed to obtain feedback from participating attendees
- Use limited cooking – upon approval, per request.
- Examples of products or services for Innovation Solution Sessions (suggestions, not limited to the list below):
- Equipment: Tabletop steamers, mini combi, small equipment for preparing vegetables, displays/serving lines/ refrigeration/ salad/sandwich/ slicers/dicers/ peelers/ knives, cutting boards, small utensils and vegetable washing equipment
- Food: Grains, meat/meat alternatives, no sugar added items, lower sodium items
- Software: Meeting meal pattern requirements, innovative ideas for point of sale, ideas for merchandising, promotion, i.e. menu boards, communications to parents, etc.
- Other: Uniforms, paper and chemicals
Open Sessions (45 minutes)
- Open Sessions will take place during the networking break at the Annual Conference.
- The goal of Open Sessions is to informally exchange ideas and short best practices within 45 minutes.
- Presenters agree to be available on October 26, 2024. The conference committee will confirm the exact day/time in early Spring of 2024.
- Speakers are expected to make their own travel arrangements and overnight accommodations unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing.
- Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a booth at the 2024 Annual Conference AND register for the “Networking Break” sponsorship ($500), if selected.
TIPS FOR YOUR PROPOSALS
- Content is King: If you really want to impress the NYSNA audience, pack your presentation with powerful intriguing content.
- Make it Compelling: The NYSNA audience is composed of food service directors, managers, and staff. Learning levels are diverse, and we are seeking programs for each level of attendee present.
- Be Authentic and Vulnerable: Don't be afraid to speak of failure as well as success.
- Customize: Be sure your content truly speaks to the association audience and is customized to their unique situations.
- Knowledge Sharing is the Most Effective Marketing: Sales pitches disguised as education will result in poor ratings and lost opportunities.
- USDA Professional Standards Training Requirements: The conference committee is specifically interested in receiving proposals that are aligned with the following professional standards
- Key Area 1 – Nutrition
- Key Area 2 – Operations
- Key Area 3 – Administration
- Key Area 4 – Communications & Marketing
NOTE: Presentations must be educational. We understand that our speakers wish to network with attendees and showcase their services, but we kindly ask that your presentation not be a “sales pitch”. Networking time will be made available to speakers, sponsors, and attendees for this purpose. We appreciate your cooperation in this area.
BENEFITS OF BEING A SPEAKER:
There are many benefits of presenting at NYSNA’s Annual Conference, including:
- Enhancing your visibility as a school nutrition expert through pre-event promotion to NYSNA members.
- Your contribution to advancing the education and development of K-12 school nutrition professionals of NYS.
*Experience has proven that participation in NYSNA’s Annual Conference programming has often provided exposure for speakers garnishing future speaking engagements with districts/local chapters throughout New York State.
REQUESTED TOPICS
Note: Attendees are most interested in breakouts sessions that are interactive, rather than using a projector/screen and having a single presenter talking.
- Grant Writing 101
- How To Maneuver the Food Buying Guide
- How To Create Recipes for Scratch Meals Tips for New Managers
- Production Records- Dos and Don'ts
- Help- I'm Being Audited!
- Customer Service- Dealing with Students and Teachers
- Advice From a Senior Director
- How To Pass a Health Department Inspection
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability
- Meal Vs. No Meal
- Basic Food Safety
- Dealing With Difficult Staff
- Technology Based Solutions: How to Create Google Classroom Documents/Surveys Etc. To Use to Benefit Our Programs
- Technology Based Solutions: Using Free Calendars/Spreadsheets, Etc. To Help Us Gather, Sort and Analyze Data
- Menu Planning for Special Diets
- Marketing To Students/Faculty/Parents
- Menu Trends
- Community Outreach Ideas
- Leadership
- Communication
- Make AI work in foodservice
- Mental Health; staff and employee well-being
- Health & Wellness
- Yoga/ healthy movements in the workplace
- Maximizing Your ISP And Reimbursement
- “Tips From a Frontline Manager to Making the Most Of Time”
- How To Access and Use the State Bid
- How To Get Involved with Legislation to Pass School Meals for All
- Advocacy Benefits of The Association
- How To Be a Voice for School Nutrition (“If Not You Then Who”)
- Ways To Advocate for Your Program at The District Level/At the State Level
- Cafeteria Visits 101 – How to Connect with Lawmakers in Your Community, Cafeteria Site Visits, How to Conduct a Visit, etc.
- Legislation 101 – Overview of NYSNA Legislative Action Conference, Why Attend, How It Makes a Difference
While we have captured many topic suggestions from our survey results, the list above is not an exhaustive one!
Don't see your topic listed? Submit anyway! We are happy to receive your creative presentation ideas.
Don’t miss the opportunity to share your school nutrition expertise!
The proposal submission deadline is March 1, 2024
Submissions will be reviewed by the Conference Committee.
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