SoDel Concepts holds professional development retreat

SoDel Concepts, a Rehoboth Beach-based hospitality group, held its second professional development and strategic retreat Jan. 16 at the Clubhouse at Baywood, one of the company’s 10 restaurants in coastal Sussex County.

“In the past few years, SoDel Concepts and the Delaware Restaurant Association have pushed to professionalize the restaurant industry,” said SoDel Concepts President Scott Kammerer, who kicked off the event. “Our annual retreat is my favorite of SoDel Concepts employee events. We come together for the day to enjoy great food prepared by our culinary team at Baywood in a beautiful setting, and to grow personally and professionally.”

More than 160 employees attended the event which featured four breakout sessions. Speakers included performance and leadership consultant Eunice Carpitella, owner of Transformative Dynamics; and Carla Markell, Delaware’s former first lady and an outspoken advocate for volunteerism.

Breakout speakers also included Alan Levin, SoDel Concepts senior advisor, former secretary of economic development for the state of Delaware and former CEO of Happy Harry’s; and Dave “Fredman” Frederick, a sportswriter and photographer for the Cape Gazette, as well as a former teacher and coach.

Keynote speaker Carrie Leishman, Delaware Restaurant Association president, spoke on the evolution and future of Delaware’s restaurant industry. Other topics at the retreat touched on expanding a business while maintaining a positive work environment, diversity in the workplace, leadership skills and the importance of community philanthropy.

SoDel Concepts has also initiated formal job-training programs with handbooks and training videos. Monthly boot camps explore relevant topics such as food sustainability, restaurant marketing and personal finance.

For more information about SoDel Concepts, go to www.sodelconcepts.com.