It was the last NAC convention of the 1990’s, and the watchwords were education, relationships and fun. Snack Bar University/EXPO ’99, June 7-10 in Anaheim, provided the opportunity to learn, to renew old friendships and create new working relationships, and to enjoy the company of peers. Attendees were provided with timely and informative business sessions, festive social functions, and the only all-concessions trade show, making for a busy and well-rounded convention schedule.
The 1999 SBU business programming was packed with cutting-edge, quality information, including service tips, managing change, creating an effective team, and concession design, all delivered by top-flight speakers. Besides the educational opportunities and the EXPO trade show, there were plenty of opportunities to meet and network with leaders in the concessions industry at SBU social events. The festivities began Monday morning with the annual SBU golf tournament. Under the sponsorship of Reynolds & Reynolds, NAC’s member insurance provider, and the volunteer leadership of Mike Ware of Baer & Associates, golfers enjoyed the outing at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course.
The SBU opening party was held on the lawn of the Disneyland Hotel on Monday evening. The event was sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, and featured a 50’s beach blanket theme, complete with a surfer band, classic cars, and Disney characters.
The first full day of the convention began Tuesday morning with breakfast, sponsored by Weaver Popcorn. After business sessions by Michael Berry and Ira Blumenthal, attendees were treated to lunch and entertainment by a comedic mentalist, courtesy of M&M/Mars. The afternoon was spent at the EXPO trade show, then it was off to Medieval Times, sponsored by Pepsi. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, then entered the arena for dinner and to cheer for their knight during jousting and swordplay.
Wednesday kicked off with breakfast, sponsored by Vogel Popcorn. Following Harris Plotkin’s presentation, the NAC annual Membership Luncheon was held, where NAC officers and board members were installed. Wednesday afternoon’s EXPO trade show featured a cocktail party sponsored by J & J Snack Foods and Miller Brewing Company. Following EXPO, a celebratory reception was held in President Chesler’s suite for the Northeast Region, which won the NAC Membership Recruitment Campaign, thanks to top recruiter Gina DiSanto of Cinema Supply, Millersburg, PA.
Ball Park Franks sponsored Thursday morning’s breakfast. A panel presentation on Concession Stand Design was followed by Interactive Breakout Sessions.
The Theatre breakout was moderated by Krystal LaReese, CCM, GKC Theatres, Springfield, IL. Panelists were Kathy Gillman, Silver Cinemas, Dallas, TX; Damian Piza, CCM, Cinemex, Mexico City, Mexico; Larry Mattson, Wehrenberg Theatres, St. Louis, MO; Tim Spain, Harkins Theatres, Phoenix, AZ; and Michael Tiemeyer, Marcus Theatres, Milwaukee, WI.
The Arena/Stadium/Convention Center/Parks breakout was moderated by Randy Collins, CCM, Charlotte Coliseum Authority, Charlotte, NC. Panelists were Terry Conlon, CCM, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL; and Dino Dimitriou, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA.
Lunch, sponsored by Hershey, featured the drawing for the laptop computer, sponsored by Ricos Products Company. Following lunch, attendees were free to experience Disneyland, courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company. SBU attendees gathered at the Golden Horseshoe in the Disneyland Park for a private dinner and show entertainment before venturing back out to the park for more Disney fun.
As in years past, SBU featured prize drawings at each breakfast and business session, with prizes like CD players, digital cameras, camcorders, boomboxes, TV/VCRs, and a trip to SBU/EXPO 2000. In addition, prizes were given to people seated in the first three rows of each business session. Prize sponsors included Cinemark Theatres and United Artists Theatres.
Special thanks to the companies who provided product samples for the registration goody bags and prizes for the trade show giveaway: American International Concession Products, Betras Plastics, Colgate-Palmolive, Fashion Seal Uniforms, FUNacho, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Herman Goelitz, Keebler, M&M/Mars, Metropolitan Provisions, MVE Inc., Nestle, O’TEC, Odell’s, Packaging Concepts, PMG, The Promotion in Motion Co., Reynolds & Reynolds, Ricos Products, Sweet Street Desserts, and Wyandot.