Virtual Expo18 Highlights
SNA’s second annual Virtual Expo hosted more than 2,100 visitors, 33 exhibit booths, and 23 pre-recorded education sessions! Attendance jumped by nearly 25 percent, with an increase of 416 visitors from 2017. These visitors were highly active, for a combined 43,029 content views in the exhibit halls and learning center. SNA thanks the 33 exhibiting companies for sharing over 700 pieces of content with our members to help their school nutrition programs grown. Mark your calendars now for February 2019! You won’t want to miss what we are planning for the next Virtual Expo.

LAST CHANCE to Attend This Spring’s Industry Boot Camp
Are you an industry representative new to the multi-billion-dollar school nutrition market -- or a seasoned veteran that wants to brush up on the intricacies of this complex segment? Designed specifically for our industry partners, SNA's Spring Industry Boot Camp, taking place May 9-10, 2018, in National Harbor, Md., is a dynamic educational seminar that provides a thorough overview of today's school nutrition environment, including new information on procurement ethics, a tour of a local cafeteria and a two-hour panel discussion with School Nutrition Directors. Meet the directors who will be participating in the panel in this short web story! The discounted hotel cut-off date has been extended to April 16, 2018. Reserve your spot today as seating is limited!

Become a Sponsor at SNA's National Leadership Conference
Now is the time to contact SNA to increase your visibility at ANC! Sponsorships are going fast, but there is still time to secure a spot for your marketing collateral in the Conference Tote Bag, share your marketing message via an attention-grabbing Floor-Cling or reinforce your brand while introducing the Closing General Session speaker. For the full list of sponsorship opportunities, please see our remaining 2018 Sponsorships. For more information, please contact SNA Business Development Manager Nicolette Daleske at ndaleske@schoolnutrition.org or SNA Exhibits Sales Manager Crystal Harper-Pierre charper@schoolnutrition.org.

Be Sure You’re Advertising in SNA’s ANC Program Guide: Reserve Your Space!
The ANC Program Guide and the School Nutrition ANC edition (double issue-June/July) are theonly official publications that will be distributed by SNA at its Annual National Conference (ANC) July 9-12, in Las Vegas. Time is of the essence to reserve your ad space in the ANC Program Guide and make the most of your advertising dollars at the “School Nutrition Event of the Year.” Don’t waste your resources on periodicals that claim to be associated with the conference. Click here to learn more and to book your ad space.

PLEASE NOTE: The ANC schedule for 2018 shifts by one day and runs Monday, July 9 through Thursday, July 12. This means the Exhibit Hall will open on Tuesday and will close on Thursday. Please ensure you book your travel and hotel accommodations accordingly.

ANC Exhibitor Webpage
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to check-out the new and improved Exhibitor Webpage for ANC18 Las Vegas. New look, easy format and contains all the information you need to make your plans to ANC successful.

ANC 2018 Las Vegas Exhibitor Service Kit
The new ANC 2018 Las Vegas Exhibitor Service Kit is available through GES/Global Experience Specialist, SNA’s official trade show decorator. The Exhibitor Service Kit will assist you with the rental of utilities, furniture, services and accessories. Your organization must be in good standing with SNA (booth paid) to receive the link to the Exhibitor Service Kit. Please contact Crystal Harper Pierre at (301) 686-3140, or charper@schoolnutrition.org if you have any questions.

Deadline Extended: Submit Your Program Description for ANC
The official ANC Program Guide includes all session and event information, as well as an in-depth buyers’ guide section. It is both a valuable onsite tool and future reference guide for attendees. Visit the ANC 2018 Program Guide Description Form and submit your company description by April 13, 2018.

Certificate of Insurance
Please provide SNA with your company’s Certificate of Insurance (COI). It is mandatory for all companies exhibiting at ANC 2018 to carry worker’s compensation, comprehensive general liability (including products and operations), independent contractors, personal injury and blanket contractual liability. It is strongly recommended that exhibitors carry insurance to cover loss of or damage to their exhibits or other personal property while such property is located at or is in transit to or from the Convention Center. You cannot obtain access of your booth until SNA receives the COI. Deadline to submit your Certificate of Insurance to SNA is May 31, 2018. Certificate of Insurance (COI)

2018 ANC New Product Showcase
Enhance your visibility at ANC by displaying your product within the New Produce Showcase. The Showcase is a one-of-a-kind display of the new products, services and equipment positioned outside of the Exhibit Hall in a high traffic area. It is a quick and effective way to introduce and promote your product to the 6,800+ ANC attendees. Slots are available on a first-come, first-served-basis. Take advantage of this tremendous opportunity and reserve your spot no later than May 31, 2018. Don’t miss out! Visit the SNA Website for the application. New Product Showcase Application

Be a Part of One of the Highlights of ANC - Culinary Demonstrations
New this year: The Culinary Demos will be held during the education session time slots; more visibility for your company. Culinary Demonstrations provide an opportunity to showcase your latest food products, recipes, techniques, nutrition and food presentation skills, and offer ways to enhance school meals and increase participation. These demos will be available for purchase of $3,500 each. You must be exhibiting at ANC18 to present a demo. Culinary Demos Application & Available Dates

Exhibitor Registration & Housing
Online Exhibitor Registration is now open. SNA has planned an outstanding series of education sessions and General Sessions for its upcoming Annual National Conference. We encourage you to attend these sessions and learn more about the child nutrition industry. Each company receives five (5) complimentary badges per 10x10 booth space purchased. Once your company goes over their badge allotment, there is a $125 fee for additional badges. No badges, above your allotment will be processed without payment. Online registration allows you to make changes and additions to your badge order up until the time the site closes on Friday, June 30, 2018. Badges will not be mailed, but are available for pick up onsite at the registration desk at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

The Online Registration:
• Click on the link: Register for 2018 ANC
• Click on the icon: Exhibitor Registration
• Find your company name: ABC Company
• Enter Password: sna20745
• Click on: Add New Booth Personnel
Then complete the information that is required and your registration should be all set. If you have questions about this registration process, please contact Convention Data Services at (774) 247-4018 or anc@xpressreg.com.

Housing:
This year’s procedures require all Exhibitors to register for badges before they will be provided access to the SNA housing system and the discounted rates at the official ANC 2018 hotels. This change in procedure is designed to help the Association better control the inventory of available rooms, ensuring that a greater number of exhibitors will have the opportunity to book their first-choice hotels on their preferred dates and still receive SNA’s discounted rates.

1. You MUST register for your badge first
2. Convention Data Services (our official registration company) will forward you a confirmation receipt that will contain a confirmation number and the link to the housing site
3. Click on the housing site link within the confirmation receipt and you will be able to reserve your hotel rooms

If you wish to reserve a block of rooms, please call Conference Direct (the SNA Housing Call Center) at (877) 440-7549; Monday – Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm (EST) or email sna@conferencedirect.com.

New Funding for Nutrition Programs in Omnibus Spending Bill
At a time when funding is hard to come by, the inclusion of our critical school nutrition programs in the recently passed FY2018 spending bill, is a recognition by Congress of the important role our programs play in the lives of hungry children. Read more

Highlights from SNA’s 46th Annual Legislative Action Conference
Nearly 900 school nutrition professionals, industry partners and other supporters of K-12 school meal programs met for several busy days in our nation’s capital, participating in SNA’s 46th annual Legislative Action Conference (LAC). Top on the agenda was prepping for the annual “Charge the Hill,” a day of visits to members of Congress to advocate for the priorities of SNA’s 2018 Position Paper. Read more about it on SNA’s website.