Food Allergy & Celiac Awareness: Raising the Bar for Safer, Inclusive Events

May is extra special for me—it's not only Food Allergy Awareness Month and Celiac Disease Awareness Month, but it also marks the 16th anniversary of thrive! meetings & events and the start of Eating at a Meeting’s seventh year! This episode is a solo one, and I’m taking the mic to reflect on why I started my business and this show: making safe, inclusive dining part of every event experience. In this heartfelt discussion, I share why food allergies, celiac disease, and other dietary needs aren’t niche—they impact millions of Americans and event attendees worldwide. From the staggering statistics (1 in 10 adults has a food allergy; 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, most undiagnosed) to the recurring event planning challenges (from menu coding to allergen labeling), I walk through the real risks guests face and the industry’s continuing gaps in safe practices. I break down the hard facts on why proper procedures matter, how new laws like California’s Addie Act are changing the game, and why transparency should start at the proposal stage, not just the pre-con. Plus, I spotlight how small steps like clear labeling and thoughtful menu design can foster loyalty—because every guest and every meal truly matters.