The Pivot
Panel Discussion
Tuesday, July 20 | 9:00-10:00 AM

According to Forbes, to pivot in business is essentially to change the direction of your business, when you realize the products or services aren’t meeting the needs of the market. When COVID-19 forced businesses to close their doors and stay-at-home orders were put in place, suddenly the traditional retail business model was no longer able to meet consumer needs. Hear from a panel of RCI candy maker members whose businesses have adapted or pivoted to not only survive, but thrive despite the challenges presented in 2020 and today. Learn how they made the most of their opportunities with strategic thinking and action, as well as what worked and what didn’t.

Build an Exceptional Team Through Coaching and Mentoring
Ted Janusz, Janus Presentations
Wednesday, July 21  │ 9:00-10:00 AM

Leading people isn’t easy, in fact, many leaders would agree it’s the most difficult part of their jobs—that doesn’t always get easier with experience. Learn how to create a workplace where employees feel motivated, engaged and satisfied through key coaching and mentoring techniques designed to make you the best leader you can be.

Ted Janusz, says, “If I lecture at my audience, they don’t retain the information. But if they help write the script, they do.” Ted is a certified speaking professional and has been featured on Business Week.com, MSNBC.com and the FOX News Channel. Janusz is a member of the National Speakers Association and has earned his MBA in marketing from the University of Pittsburgh. 

Nougat: An Artisan Approach

Explore an artisan approach to a confectionery classic favored around the globe. Enjoy a guided tasting of various types of nougat, including discussion related to ingredient selection, formulation, production and storage.

Charles is a Chef Instructor at Pennsylvania College of Technology, where he has been teaching baking and pastry arts since 2005. He is a 2018 Bake Magazine “Twentyfive” top educator, a 2017 Top Ten Pastry Chef in America by Dessert Professional Magazine, and holds several awards from Pennsylvania College of Technology, most recently a Distinguished Teaching Award in 2015. His industry experience includes bakeries, restaurants, hotels and clubs, specifically The Penn State Bakery and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Charles’ work extends well beyond the campus classroom. He is an active member of the Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia and The Bread Bakers Guild of America, teaching at educational conferences all over the country. Charles leads production at the Kentucky Derby each year, where his team cooks and bakes for thousands of guests. He is a guest instructor for the Department of Food Science at Penn State, teaching baking science and product development. In 2015, Charles was a national finalist for Team USA, which competed at the 2016 Coupe de Monde de la Boulangerie (The Bakery World Cup).

Positioned for Growth
Peter Van Leer, Dutch Valley Food Distributors
Wednesday, July 21  │ 3:00-4:00 PM

Position your business for growth in 2021 and beyond. Take a look at trends and understand how shifts in consumer lifestyles are affecting retail confectioners. Discover viable opportunities for growing your business based the same metrics and attributes employed by Wall Street traders to select winning companies for investment. Learn how to adapt and evolve to succeed at meeting consumers’ changing needs.

Peter Van Leer has been involved with chocolate for most of his life as one of the third-generation owners/operators of Van Leer Chocolate Corporation. He has hands-on experience in operations, logistics, customer service, purchasing and commodity trading, quality assurance, research and development and sales and marketing. Peter served three years as director of marketing North America for Barry Callebaut following the company’s acquisition of Van Leer Chocolate. Peter left the industry in 2001 to pursue a career as an investment advisor and trader in securities. In early 2018, he returned to his roots by joining Dutch Valley Foods as an in-house chocolate specialist.

Candy Clinic 
RCI Member Exclusive
Tuesday, July 20│  3:00-5:30 PM

Get recognized for your creative, new ideas! If you have a clever concept that has worked well in your business, you're invited to share it! This session will give you creative ideas for your store as fellow RCI members share during a short presentation about their best products, packaging and marketing. Attendees vote for their favorite entrants and awards are presented to winners at the Awards Banquet on Wednesday evening. View what Candy Clinic is like! 
Categories include:

• Best Summer Idea
• Best Christmas Idea
• Best Valentine's Day Idea
• Best Easter Idea
• Best Misc. Holiday Idea
• Best Marketing/Merchandising Idea
• Best Packaging Idea
• Best New Piece
• Best Innovation

Kettle Talk
RCI Member Exclusive
Wednesday, July 21 │  4:00-5:00 PM

Do you want to know the secrets to making exceptional confections? Join this open discussion where confectionery professionals ask questions and share knowledge on the topics of chocolate techniques, production, regulatory affairs, labeling laws, business ownership and more. Drop off questions in advance at the registration desk or ask questions directly during the session.