A three-year plan has been approved for AWMA’s annual convention and expo that includes a series of changes intended to strengthen the value of the show for both exhibitors and attendees.  Under the direction of AWMA’s Convention & Expo Committee, AWMA senior staff, and an industry expert & trade show consultant, the AWMA board adopted some short-term and long-term strategies.  Some of the changes are to rebrand the show as “The AWMA Show – The Convenience Distributor Conference & EXPO,” and to align the show with current business challenges, consolidation among member firms, and difficult economic times.

Additional changes include expanding the scope of products and services in the exhibit hall beyond the traditional categories of candy, snacks, tobacco and merchandise.  A new focus will be in the areas of foodservice, technology and operations – areas that provide significant opportunities for distributors to build their business, deliver more solutions to their customers and improve operating efficiencies.    

In addition to rebranding the show as The AWMA Show, in 2010 other changes include shifting the days of the week so the show runs from Tuesday through Thursday (exhibit hall open on Wednesday & Thursday), refreshing the exposition with new hours, the addition of the AWMA Café for lunch, and holding the industry reception on Wednesday evening in the exhibit hall. 

According to Sherwin Herring, Southco Distributing Co., and the 2009 AWMA Chairman of the Board, “Our top priority for the 2010 show and beyond will be building and delivering more value for everyone.  That starts with creating an event that attracts a greater number of our distributor members.  Our members have told us that they need to gain enough value from the show to send their management teams and this will start with us providing a strong educational program that will appeal to the varying needs and interests of category buyers, foodservice executives, top management, technology and operations staff.”

The AWMA Show moves to The Paris Hotel in 2011 & 2012.

Click here to read the press release from October 16, 2009 about this new transformation.

Look soon for the new Web site to be live – www.awmashow.com