Introduction
The thread that pulls us together is our love of people, our love of food, our desire to make people happy by having our food. Passion – that is what lead us to pursue the profession of catering. Just when you think you must have been crazy to ever start this business,
Its time for the catersource conference, or you get your ICA CommuniCater in the mail, or you spend time with the incredible ICA website…suddenly you are recharged! You remember why you are a caterer, and proud of it.
Membership in the ICA connects you to others like you, no matter the level-a multimillion dollar company or a company under $500,000.00. There is someone who speaks your language, ready to help. Share design ideas, menu concepts, marketing strategies, and whatever, with fellow ICA members who want to see you succeed.
Benefits of Membership
Listing on ICA’s website, where potential clients can search for caterers.
ICA’s own publication:
CommuniCater Magazine: 6 issues per year.
ICA Broadcast News and Ideas:
Great ideas for increasing sales, cutting costs, and solutions to catering issues, emailed to all members.
On-line Roundtable Discussion Bulletin Boards and Membership Directory
Participate in discussions on issues such as Tastings, Gratuities, Facility Referrals, Chocolate Fountains, and more. Includes Round Tables discussion area for the Culinary Council.
Easily Edit your Directory Listing Online
Modify your contact information, description and add pictures to your profile from your online account. All changes are instantaneous. Membership management provided by SparkioPro™ Online Member Management software created by Symetris.
Subscription to catersource Magazine, 6 issues per year
Subscriptions to Event Solutions Magazine and Santé Magazine.
ICA embroidered shoulder patch for member chef’s kitchen staff, employees, design staff, etc. Additional patches are available from the ICA office.
ICA professional lapel pin for designation.
CATIE Awards:
Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence... as presented by the International Caterers Association (ICA) and Catersource. Awards geared totally towards off-premise caterers, giving international recognition for outstanding work. Reduced entry rate for members.
ICA Catering Questions:
Need ideas, advice, or opinions from fellow caterers? Email your question to the ICA office and it is emailed to the members, who reply directly to you.
ICA Culinary Council membership:
Your chef may enjoy free membership in the Culinary Council – a group of members united to support, promote, and educate the culinary aspect of the catering industry.
2 Associate Memberships:
Your Executive Chef and one other key person in your company may enroll as associate members, and enjoy their own copy of the CommuniCater, Broadcast publications, and Ressource Room access.
ICA work and learn exchange program offers the opportunity for you or your employee(s) to visit an ICA member Caterer (outside of your market area) to learn from another pro. Contact the ICA office for details.
ICA Logo: as a member in good standing, the privilege to display the ICA logo on your stationery, vans, and collateral materials
ICAEF:
The ICA Educational Foundation awards full and partial conference scholarships to deserving caterers. Applications and criteria may be obtained by contacting the ICA office.
Access to abundant, creative education from around the world focusing on all aspects dealing with the catering business; sales & marketing, catering styles, recipes & presentation, menu design, and food trends. This format falls under the ICA educational presentations, regional seminars, food shows & industry conferences.
Why join the ICA?
Get ideas
After reading an article on picnic catering in the ICA's CommuniCater I contacted the ICA member who wrote it. She shared her menus, staffing ideas, lay-outs and encouragement. As a result we opened up Cowtown Catering. That was three years ago and we're still going strong.
Joanne Katz and Peggy Beck Neusteter
Three Tomatoes Catering,
Denver, Colorado
Meet people
I met so many interesting people at the ICA's annual conference. An owner-operator from West Texas wrote me a letter saying he wanted to relocate and was interested in working for my company. Six months later he was hired. Today he is an event designer for Ridgwells, a direct result of me attending the conference.
Susan Lacz-Niemann
Ridgewells Catering
Bethesda, MD
Solve problems
I learned so many fabulous ideas at the conference, particularly about crisis management. Now I call people all over the country on a regular basis to help me out with projects. The network is unbelievable!
George Guillen
Taco Factory
California