The catering and events industry has never been for the faint of heart. Long hours, demanding clients, staffing shortages, tight timelines, and the constant pressure to execute flawless events create an environment where stress is often viewed as part of the job. But according to workplace wellness expert and licensed professional counselor Kim Wilson, there is a critical difference between stress and burnout—and understanding that difference may be one of the most important leadership skills in today's event industry.

The catering and events industry has never been for the faint of heart.

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE:

GROW becomes the inaugural partner of ICA’s first annual ASCEND Conference.

Baltimore, Md. | March 17, 2026 — The International Caterers Association (ICA) is pleased to announce GROW Catering Educational Foundation (GROW) as the first official partner of ASCEND 2026, ICA’s annual conference taking place July 19–22, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia.

In the world of catering, few relationships are as influential as those between caterers and venues. Venues are often the first decision made when planning weddings, social celebrations, and corporate events, and once that space is secured, the preferred catering list becomes the gateway to bookings. Being included matters, but being the caterer a venue actively recommends is what sets top performers apart.

In the world of catering, few relationships are as influential as those between caterers and venues. Venues are often the first decision made when planning weddings, social celebrations, and corporate events, and once that space is secured, the preferred catering list becomes the gateway to bookings. Being included matters, but being the caterer a venue actively recommends is what sets top performers apart.

Catering sales isn’t just about closing the deal; it’s about who you are when you do it. In the words of Jennifer Perna of Fulton Market Consulting, “You are not what you sell, you sell what you are.”

Catering sales isn’t just about closing the deal; it’s about who you are when you do it. In the words of Jennifer Perna of Fulton Market Consulting, “You are not what you sell, you sell what you are.”

If that statement makes you pause, it should. The experience your client has with you becomes their perception of your entire company. Your habits, communication style, and level of professionalism directly influence whether a client books or looks elsewhere.