Frank, Carol & CJ Cannata
October 1, 2015 is circled on my calendar, is it circled on yours?
That’s the date of the annual Cannata Dinner. It’s a charity event that brings together dealer principals and top decision makers from the dealer, manufacturer, leasing, software and services segments along with other key players from the document imaging world for an evening of fun, networking, food, drink, and awards recognition with the ultimate winner, the charities this event raises funds for.
If you’ve never attended this event, you’re missing out on something special. If you’ve been before, you know that this is the document imaging industry’s premier networking event.
This year’s dinner promises to be even more special than past dinners due to various enhancements. The most significant enhancement is that this is the first themed dinner in its 30-year history. “Born in the USA” celebrates the dealer entrepreneurs that are geographically dispersed across the country who make the document imaging industry so special. The theme also acknowledges the industry’s ongoing support of veterans.
“It’s an interest Frank shares with our audience,” states CJ Cannata, Partner and SVP of Brand Strategy and Development at The Cannata Report, whose enthusiasm for this event is matched only by Frank and his wife Carol, each of whom plays a huge role in making these yearly events so memorable.
The annual Cannata Awards, now called The Frank Awards, is another highlight of the dinner. From the Manufacturer of the Year, to the Executive of the Year, to the MFP Line of the Year, etc., as well as the Woman Executive of the Year¾an award presented for the first time last year¾this is a celebration of the industry’s best as voted on by the dealer community. Two additional awards will be presented this year although CJ is keeping those a secret for now.
While the awards presentations are a big draw, ultimately the event is about philanthropy.
“A lot of big dealers and manufacturers are generous and philanthropic, and by and large this is an industry that loves to give back,” says CJ. “That is another classic American theme.”
For anyone that knows CJ, there’s got to be a musical reference in there somewhere, and he’s quick to point out how Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 Born in the USA album returned to the top spot on the Billboard charts in January 1985 for its longest run in that position—30 years ago. Don’t be surprised to hear that song sometime during the evening.
The Born in the USA theme will also be on everyone’s palate thanks to Carol, who works diligently behind the scenes to make sure no one leaves the dinner hungry. What elevates this event above and beyond so many others is the extended cocktail hour and the quality of the food served before the dinner begins. The bounty of amazing appetizers Carol selects makes every other cocktail hour anyone has ever attended anywhere else pale in comparison. In keeping with the theme, this year’s cocktail hour will feature different foods from different parts of the country along with a décor highlighting the Born in the USA theme.
Another enhancement this year is the addition of BTA General Counsel Bob Goldberg as the MC.
“Aside from being one of the most universally respected figures in the industry, he’s entertaining, accessible, and hysterically funny,” says CJ.
Also on hand will be Nick Valvano, former CEO of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and brother of Jim Valvano, the inspiration for the foundation, who will be on hand to accept the donations and discuss the work of the Foundation. Fully 100 percent of the proceeds raised benefit the Esophageal Cancer Research Endowment that the Cannata Report established with the V Foundation for Cancer Research in honor of Bob Shields, one of the document imaging industry’s most respected dealers who passed away last year.
Another new element for this year’s dinner is a silent auction of sports memorabilia during the cocktail hour to benefit Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon.
Sponsors for this year’s dinner include Square 9 Softworks, Clover Imaging Group, and Digitek.
“Their contributions are paying for 100 percent of the event’s cost, which ensures all proceeds go to their respective charities,” reports CJ. “This is the second year in a row we’ve had official sponsors. We’ve made a concerted effort to partner with different segments of industry and this is an example of how we’re broadening our relationships.”
CJ expects to see broader attendance this year with more participation from software and services-oriented companies and more mega dealers.
Asked why someone from the document imaging industry should attend, CJ responds, “If you are a company that wants to further your relationship with dealers and network with some of the biggest dealer principals and influencers in country, that group is well represented at our event. It’s the only event of its kind in terms of being a vendor agnostic award ceremony where people have the opportunity to network with all segments of the industry and all different companies and competitors coming together to have a good time and rekindle old relationships.”
The Cannata Dinner takes place at the Meadow Wood Manor in Randolph, NJ and begins at 5:30 p.m.
If you’d like to learn more about the Cannata Dinner, visit the Cannata Report Website at www.thecannatareport.com/Dinner30.
If you cannot attend but would still like to make a donation to the V Foundation send a check made out to “The V Foundation for Cancer Research” to Frank G. Cannata, The Cannata Report, P.O. Box 180, Hamburg, NJ 07419.
