June 20, 2017 – We just released our final agenda for our 15th Anniversary ICCA Summit in Portland, Oregon. From the award winning chefs in one of the most creative culinary destinations to the leading trend experts the educational programs at our June event is unmatched for new menu developers. Here is the full agenda: ICCA 15th Anniversary Summit Agenda Final For those members and sponsors in attendance at the event here is the Portland 2017 Info Packet that includes information about dress codes, The Benson Hotel and descriptions of the top restaurants and other points of interest for you to enjoy while visiting Portland during our ICCA Summit.
Portland is one of the most creative and unique culinary destinations in the nation and the Northwest United States helps showcase how to attract today’s diverse customer base and make them all happy. From the casual/affordable chef-owned restaurants to the still exploding food cart scene Portland is a hotbed for new menu ideas. During the 15th Anniversary ICCA Summit you will not only dine in many of these restaurants, but you will also meet the genius chefs behind the scenes and hear from them what is working and why.
Portland is home to one of the nation’s first microbrewery restaurant Rogue Distillery and Public House is still in operation in downtown Portland not far from the Benson Hotel, headquarters for our ICCA Summit. To make your room reservation, please go to http://coa.st/2pac and just change the dates the system will confirm your $199 rate or call (503)228-2000. Our event will feature the most amazing leading-edge restaurants, best local beers, a tour of distillery row and of course tours and tasting of Willamette Valley’s award winning wines. In a meeting with Naomi Pomeroy, she has agreed to share her award winning menu ideas in a demonstration during the opening general session on Sunday, June 25th plus treat a small group to an inside tour of Beast and Expatriate during our ICCA Culinary Road Trip. The 15th Anniversary ICCA Summit will feature the nation’s leading trend experts on healthy cuisine, today’s new customers preferences and a look at the amazing changes corporate chefs have experienced over the past 15 years. Many of the industry leaders who have made the ICCA a leading-edge network for new menu developers will also be in Portland to share their experience with you.
When the ICCA Board of Directors chose a location many factors are considered including the most important mission for our association – where can the leading new menu developers in the USA learn the most to help their companies grow and prosper. When selecting the host city for the ICCA’s 15th Anniversary Portland rose to the top. In 2008 we held one of our first ICCA Summits there and witnessed one of the most creative culinary environments leading the way in food trucks/carts, farm-to-table, local distilleries and microbreweries. The Portland food culture has grown at an unbelievable pace and I assure you they are keeping that edge of leading the nation in new menu ideas for both food and beverage.
Leading chefs who were involved in our past ICCA Summit have added new restaurants that are garnering awards and recognition from 
every major magazine and award organization in the nation and the world. These stars include Naomi Pomeroy, Vitaly Paley, Gabriel Rucker, Andy Ricker, Greg Higgins plus newcomers who are opening brick and mortar restaurants after success in food trucks/carts.
Our Culinary Road Trips will of course include visiting the top wineries in the Willamette Valley that also includes a coffee crawl with some of the most creative coffee roasters in the country. That is just a hint of the amazing places in this beautiful region of the country you can choose to see. There will be a trip to the Columbia River Gorge that includes witnessing the Bonneville Dam Salmon Ladder, and Farmer Brothers fair trade coffee plant – an amazing opportunity to experience a coffee cupping.
We learned from last year’s presentations that within each generational segment are vast differences in psycho-graphics. We will do an even deeper dive into this information at the Portland Summit. Part of our mission is to keep ICCA members as the most informed member of the executive team in each company. We also have created the most innovative environment for networking with your peers. This ICCA network is an invaluable benefit for your company and your menu development team. Visit our Website or see the agenda above for complete details on our educational programs, culinary road trips and a new Dine Around Portland Dinner Series where ICCA members will enjoy the best restaurants in Oregon at no cost.
The ICCA Board of Directors has also approved the 50 percent discount on membership and Summit registration meaning you pay only $100 to attend our largest educational program of the year. The complete educational agenda and related programs will be released in the next few months. Please remember your spouse is invited and can join in on many activities including the ICCA Annual Dinner, daily receptions and a VIP spouse tour at no additional cost.
Our host hotel is The Benson, founded in 1913, The Benson features elegant European design with a host of modern amenities. See why U.S. Presidents and CEOs have made The Benson their home away from home for a hundred years—and why The Oregonian voted The Benson Best Portland Hotel in 2012. The hotel’s location puts you within walking distance to the hottest restaurants, shopping, and entertainment of the Pearl District, Pioneer Square, and downtown. Famous boutiques, bookstores, breweries, and performing arts are just steps away.
With a room rate of only $199 per night for ICCA members and sponsors. With the ICCA Board approving the 50 percent discount for you if your register early pay their annual dues at the same time. The ICCA Summit cost is normally $595 plus your $395 annual dues would be a total of $990, but now it is only $495 for both. Here is the membership application for new members: ICCA membership form 2017 For current members who need to renew your dues and register for the ICCA Summit here is the ICCA Membership-Summit Discount 2017 invoice you can pay below by using a credit card or your PayPal account. We look forward to seeing you in the “City of Roses” in June 2017.