See You in New Orleans
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Leading Caterers of America Executive Summit Keynote 2026
Monday, November 9
9:15 am - 10:00 am
Amy Sins
Chef, Hospitality Entrepreneur, and Founder, Fill the Needs
Amy Sins is a motivational speaker, chef, international-award-winning author, media personality, entrepreneur & humanitarian. She is the founder of Fill the Needs. Amy was determined to “pay it forward” after losing everything when the levees failed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and strangers helped her. After 15 years as a rogue-do-gooder, she made it official by starting FillTheNeeds.org. She has played many roles over the course of her 25-plus-year professional journey, including that of “girl with a cellphone” who has developed a template for quick and effective disaster relief. Through a superhuman level of energy, a deep well of empathy, and the inability to accept the word “no,” she’s accomplishing her goals and encouraging others to do the same.
Keynote Session
Monday, November 9, 2026
9:15 am - 10:00 am
The most memorable New Orleans experiences do more than serve great food. They tell a story, engage the senses, and make people feel as though they have been welcomed into the heart of the city. Amy will share the stories behind New Orleans hospitality: why food is at the center of every celebration and every difficult moment; how the city's history, cultures, and foodways shaped one another; and what hospitality professionals can learn from a community that has always found its way back to the table. Her presentation will showcase the ways that food, community, and kindness help people begin again, and underscore how the best hospitality experiences make people feel something – not simply consume something. Amy has a few surprises planned for the LCA audience, too!
Fill the Needs empowers
Fill the Needs empowers and unites disaster relief efforts for both man-made and natural disasters by building a robust, collaborative network of partners, with a focus on the critical first 14 days following a disaster and beyond. We enhance the effectiveness of disaster response through resource & supply coordination, information sharing, and support of our network partners in both immediate and long-term situations. By providing training programs and leveraging the collective strength of our network, we create a more resilient and efficient disaster relief ecosystem for lasting impact. Find out more about the organization.