More than 600 healthcare foodservice professionals, including food directors, chefs, and dietitians, are headed to Maryland next week to hear from stimulating keynoters, build their professional skills, and network with peers.

Organization: Association for Healthcare Foodservice

Conference: AHF 2017 Annual Conference

Venue: Gaylord Resort and Convention Center

City: National Harbor, Maryland

Following preconference workshops and new-member orientation, the AHF 2017 Annual Conference will start on Wednesday morning with an opening general session featuring Mark Sanborn. He’ll discuss what attendees can do when they are leading a revolution, whether personal or professional. Also noteworthy on the agenda:

All that jazz. Reminiscent of The Great Gatsby, the Jazz Age Lawn Party is AHF’s opening reception. Taking place at the historic Oxon Hill Manor overlooking the Potomac River, the 1920s-themed party encourages attendees to wear period dress, sip mint juleps, and dance along to live jazz music.

Best in show. Five teams will take part in the finals of the Association for Healthcare Foodservice’s 2017 Culinary Competition onsite. These teams and their dishes will be judged on organization, culinary skills, taste, and presentation. On top of that, each original recipe must follow certain nutritional and cost guidelines. Six judges, including celebrity chef Erik “Chef Egg” Berlin, will decide the winner.

Give back. On Wednesday afternoon, attendees can take part in a group service activity that will help support the nutrition needs of DC schoolchildren. Working with Blessings in a Backpack—a nonprofit that gives children who participate in the free and reduced-price meal program a backpack of food for the 38 school-year weekends—attendees will pack bags with basic food items.

Head to Twitter for other meeting details.

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