SEFA's 22nd Annual Partnership Conference was a huge success! Held April 13-17 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, the Conference brought the SEFA family together to celebrate and to build and strengthen partnerships.

The week was full of many memorable moments. Among the highlights were the Welcome Reception, our networking events including golf, wine tasting at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, and clay shooting at the Double Barrel Ranch, SEFA's Annual Awards Banquet, and a boat cruise on beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Click here to view photos from the conference.

Thanks to all who helped make the week a huge success!

Member of the Year is the highest honor a SEFA Dealer can earn. This year's winner was Smith & Greene Company Kent, WA. Accepting the award were Garrett Mullen, Lloyd Warnes and Stephanie Otis.

Shown in photo from left: Stephanie Otis, Lloyd Warnes, Tedde Reid and Garrett Mullen.

Supplier of the Year is the highest honor a SEFA Supplier can earn. Being selected by the entire SEFA membership base makes it even more special. This year's winner, Hatco Foodservice Equipment, is a leader. They are known for new products, training expertise, and their continued commitment to excellence. Accepting the honor were Dave Rolston, Rick Anger and Mark Ecker.

Shown in photo from left: Jim Reid, Tedde Reid, Rick Anger, Mark Ecker and Dave Rolston.

Roger Carter, C & T Design & Equipment Company, Inc., was honored for his Strategic Leadership. Roger, who serves as chairman of SEFA’s Executive Committee has been instrumental in the development of SEFA’s new strategies. Through his leadership he will continue to communicate SEFA’s vision to the Membership.

Shown in photo from left: Jim Reid, Tedde Reid and Roger Carter.

Restaurant Depot & Jetro Cash ‘N Carry was the winner of SEFA’s Soaring to New Heights award. A SEFA Member since January 1987, this company has definitely soared to new heights, achieving market leadership for their company and SEFA. Accepting the award were Larry Rosenthal, Matthew Arthur, Tom Owens and Robert Duque.

Shown in photo from left: Tom Owens, Matthew Arthur, Robert Duque, Larry Rosenthal, Tedde Reid, Jim Reid.

Best Restaurant Equipment & Design, Columbus, OH, was presented with the In Sync with Excellence award. Last year’s Member of the Year, Best continues to raise the bar and set a true example of excellence. Accepting the award were Jim Hanson and Gloria Dewey.

Shown in photo from left: Tedde Reid, Gloria Dewey and Jim Hanson.

Four Members were inducted into the 2007 Presidents’ Club. This award honors phenomenal growth over already amazing SEFA volume. This year’s winners include: Franke Worldwide, La Vergne, TN; Johnson-Lancaster, Safety Harbor, FL; Manning Brothers, Athens, GA; and Perkins, Taunton, MA.

Shown in photo from left: Brad Lancaster of Johnson-Lancaster, Al Gordon of Perkins, Kevin Yohe of Franke Worldwide, Chuck Day and Ronny Whitmire of Manning Brothers and Tedde Reid.

Five Members were honored as High Achievers. This award recognizes significant volume increases over already great volume. The winners include: Ashland Equipment, Belcamp, MD; B&G Restaurant Supply, Pittsfield, MA; Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment, Huron, OH; H. Weiss, Armonk, NY; and Myers Restaurant Supply, Santa Rosa, CA.

Shown in photo from left: Jim Weiss and Raymond Vasquez of H. Weiss, Mark Claus and Dick Pohl of Breckenridge, Tricia Powers Dambrauskas of B&G, Todd Schaeffer and Rod White of Ashland, Rob Myers, Bob Myers and Jon Myers of Myers Restaurant Supply, and Jeff Dellon of H. Weiss.

Circle of Excellence winners are dedicated to SEFA and its Suppliers. Our 2007 winners all increased their SEFA volume substantially. Our winners were ADE Restaurant Services, Addison, IL; Buller Fixture, Omaha, NE; E&A Supply, Plainfield, NJ; Hawkeye Foodservice, Iowa City, IA; and Pioneer Distributing Company, Little Rock, AR.

Shown in photo from left: Jim Reid, Danielle Schwenker and Bill Ledger, Hawkeye Foodservice; Jamie Crossland of Pioneer; Joel Greene and Al Greene of E&A; Sandy Swanson, Buller; Tony Riggan, Pioneer; Mary Pat Veys, Buller; Tedde Reid; Steve Schoop of ADE.

The Journey award honors the SEFA Member that has put the greatest percentage of their purchases through SEFA Suppliers. This year’s winner, Grady’s Restaurant & Bar Supply, Pueblo, CO, purchased 95% of their total purchases through SEFA Suppliers. Accepting the award were Paul Gradishar and Tom Radiff.

Shown in photo from left: Tedde Reid, Paul Gradishar, Tom Radiff and Jim Reid.

The Great Start award is presented to a new Member who is off to a great start. This year’s winner was Economy Restaurant Equipment & Supply, San Marcos, California. Accepting the award were John Pipinos and Troy Roberson.

Shown in photo from left: Tedde Reid, John Pipinos and Troy Roberson.

Ashley Hux and Mike Lehman of Rubbermaid/Pelouze were honored as Trainers of the Year. These two terrific trainers create excitement about their companies and their products. Their talent and willingness to share their expertise shine through in the quality of their training.

Shown in photo from left: Tom Stritch, Tedde Reid, Ashley Hux and Mike Lehman.

Cambro Manufacturing was named Outstanding Supplier for Supplies. Cambro’s great service levels and exciting products have earned them this honor. Accepting the award were Nick DiTrolio and Dave Schrecengost.

Shown in photo from left: Nick DiTrolio, Tedde Reid and Dave Schrecengost.

Globe Food Equipment Company was named Outstanding Supplier for Light Equipment. Their training efforts have resulted in great support from our Members. Since joining SEFA thirteen years ago, Globe’s volume with our Members has grown more than five times. Accepting the award was Tony Quesenberry.

Shown in photo from left: Tony Quesenberry and Jim Reid.

The Delfield Company was named Outstanding Supplier for Refrigeration. In 2007, they grew their business with SEFA Members well over two million dollars. Accepting the award were Graham Tillotson and Bill Keske.

Shown in photo from left: Graham Tillotson, Tedde Reid and Bill Keske.

Walco Stainless was named Outstanding Supplier for Tabletop. Their service levels, product quality and representation have earned high marks from SEFA Members. Since joining SEFA three years ago, Walco’s volume with our Members has doubled. Accepting the award were Ron Gallman, Phil Benbenek and Dave Johnson.

Shown in photo from left: Ron Gallman, Jim Reid, Phil Benbenek, Dave Johnson, Tedde Reid.

The Blodgett Oven Company was named Outstanding Supplier for Cooking. Their expertise in cooking earned them growth of well over two million dollars in 2007. Accepting the award were Mark Pumphret and Chris Brinkerhoff.

Shown in photo from left: Mark Pumphret, Jim Reid and Chris Brinkerhoff.

The winner of the Market Leader for Dealer Support award was True Food Service Equipment. True continues to grow their business by support in the field, participation in SEFA Marketing and Training programs and by expanding their product offering. Accepting the award were Don Sours and John Ebenroth.

Shown in photo from left: John Ebenroth, Don Sours and Jim Reid.

Traulsen was honored as Market Leader for Innovation. They continue to reach out into different product arenas to increase their offering to SEFA Members. Recently they took a big step of faith on pricing issues with the intent of keeping our selling efforts profitable. Accepting the award were Tom Szafranski and Gary Simpson.

Shown in photo from left: Jim Reid, Tom Szafranski and Gary Simpson.