How do I start a food truck?
The Capital City Food Truck Convention is a two day mobile vending conference for food truck operators, suppliers and public health officials that will be held on March 12th and 13th of 2016. (For more info click here: http://www.dmvfta.org/convention/) The most asked question on the comment section of this site is, “How do I start a food truck?” The answer: “Educate yourself.” The Capital City Food Truck Convention curriculum covers everything that the aspiring mobile vendor needs as well as connecting suppliers with the new industry. The convention is organized, attended and supported by food truck operators and Food Truck Associations. Many of the other conventions are not organized by an actual food truck association or even a food truck operator. The two day conference utilizes speakers and panels from industry professionals to educate and inform the mobile vending industry. Because the curriculum is curated by actual food truck operators and associations, the information is the most relevant to new and current food truck operators. All of the sessions have a Q & A component and attendees are encouraged to participate in the discussion.
The inaugural Capital City Food Truck Convention was last year in DC. Attendees and speakers came from all over the Country to discuss mobile vending issues, regulations, advocacy and special events. The discussions did not end at the end of the day’s speakers sessions, rather they continued on into the evening informally. This year National Food Truck Association will partner with the District Maryland and Virginia Food Truck Association to add a workshop for aspiring food truck association organizers.
The food truck industry is seeing monumental growth. However, since the industry issues are so regional it’s sometimes hard to focus on the bigger picture. With a conference like the Capital City Food Truck Convention, food truck operators and associations can get together and discuss issues going on nationwide. This gives individual operators and potential operators a better understanding of what they may face in the future as well as some solutions to issues they face now. As cities start opening up their streets to food trucks, it’s nice to see how the other areas of the country have adapted. Discussions with representatives from some of the older markets can really prepare newer trucks and regions to deal with issues that will arise.
Please come talk to me during the conference and at the planned evening events. I would love to hear all about your food truck, your city issues and anything else you’d like to discuss.
Matt Geller
SoCal Mobile Food Vendors Association
National Food Truck Association
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