From Expo Floor to NASCAR Hall of Fame: ProTeam’s Unforgettable Week at ANC26
ANC26 in Charlotte wasn’t just a conference – it felt like a reunion, a reset, and a rally point for the school nutrition community. For ProTeam, it became one of our most energizing and meaningful conferences yet. Between packed presentations, nonstop conversation on the expo floor, and an unforgettable evening at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, this July reminded us exactly why we do this work.
ProTeam’s Speakers at ANC26
This year, ProTeam had the privilege of presenting multiple sessions – each one packed, energetic, and full of directors who were ready to dig into the details. Lora Gilbert, MS, RD, FADA, SNS was co-presenter for multiple sessions (Blueprint to Excellence: Translating District Goals Into School-Based Schedules, SMART Goals, and High-Impact Evaluations; Incentives to Recognize and Pay School-Based Managers; and From Adoption to Accountability: Technology-Driven Financial Management in School Nutrition); and Colette Tyler, RD and Sarah Carlson, MS, RD, LD presented From Tikka to Tacos: Navigating Global Food Trends and Buy American Requirements.
The Expo Hall
Walking into the expo hall, one theme became immediately apparent: Everyone is hungry for innovation, efficiency, and preparedness. Whether we were talking with directors, vendors, or state agency leaders, the same questions kept surfacing:
How do we build menus that are both compliant and exciting to kids?
How do we stabilize labor without sacrificing quality?
How do we make data feel less overwhelming and more actionable?
How do we plan facilities that actually match the realities of today’s service models?
These weren’t just technical questions – they were strategic ones. Another major theme: districts are thinking bigger. Bigger about scratch cooking. Bigger about equipment modernization. Bigger about long-term capital planning. Bigger about the role nutrition programs play in whole-child development. It was clear that the industry is shifting from “What do we need right now?” to “What do we need to thrive five years from now?”
A Night to Remember: ProTeam’s Dinner at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Sunday evening was a highlight of the entire week. ProTeam hosted a private dinner event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and it was everything we hoped it would be – warm, inviting, and full of connection. It wasn’t just dinner. It was a thank you to our clients, colleagues, and partners who show up every day for students, who innovate under pressure, and who keep pushing the industry forward.
Our Takeaway from ANC26
If there was one takeaway from ANC26, it is this: School nutrition is evolving and the people leading it are ready. Districts are thinking strategically. Vendors are innovating faster. Leaders are collaborating more openly. The energy across the conference made it clear the next few years will be transformative. ProTeam left Charlotte inspired, grateful, and more committed than ever! We’re already gearing up for the next round of projects, partnerships, and presentations.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Colette Tyler, RD, Menu Consultant
Colette is a Registered Dietitian with nearly 20 years of foodservice experience, including more than a decade of experience dedicated to child nutrition.
Colette collaborates with districts to produce and maintain cost-effective, complaint menus and assists districts with administrative review preparation. She also develops digital tools for existing and potential clients. Before joining ProTeam, Colette was a multi-state Resident Dietitian for Chartwells K-12.
Sarah Carlson, MS, RD, LD, Senior Consultant
Sarah is a registered and licensed dietitian and a senior consultant at ProTeam with more than a decade of experience in school foodservice.
As a compliance specialist, Sarah has extensive experience assisting schools in adhering to USDA regulations for national meal programs. She collaborates with school districts to enhance their programs, addressing menus and recipes, financial management, and staff professional development.