After months of research and listening to distributors and manufacturers, AWMA has embarked on an aggressive overhaul of the AWMA Show.  Heard loud and clear from our members is that a top priority is to build and deliver more value for everyone—and that starts with creating an event that attracts a greater number of our distributor members.  CEOs have told us that they need to gain enough value from the show to justify sending their key decision makers.  How do we provide that value?  By offering stronger educational sessions that are relevant to distributors’ specific needs and interests.  For 2010, not only are we offering an increased number of sessions – a total of 15.75 hours– but they will be focused well beyond our traditional offer to include sessions on consumers, key categories, operations and technology as well as our continued emphasis on strategic industry issues.   

Each week we will use this e-newsletter to highlight new sessions and speakers just added.  This week, we are pleased to announce two important sessions on foodservice – a topic that is of great interest among our members as they continue to venture into this important category.

Wednesday, March 10
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Wake Up Session:  Foodservice Trends, Challenges & Opportunities
Speaker:  Timothy Powell, Senior. Manager and C-Store Program Director, Technomic, Inc.
With 40+ years serving the food industry’s leading companies, Technomic, Inc. is a “go to” source for food industry data, trends and analysis.  This session will cover the top trends in convenience foodservice, operational challenges and how distributors can capitalize on this growing category.  As a Senior Manger with Technomic specializing in c-store retailing, Powell’s presentation will focus on foodservice execution—how distributors can partner with their retail customers to effectively and efficiently offer quality foodservice programs that build traffic and customer loyalty.  

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Super Session:  Foodservice – What’s Hot, What’s Not
Speaker & Moderator:  Ira Blumenthal, President, Co-Opportunities
Retail Panelists:  To be announced

From coffee programs to prepared foods, distributors are looking to refresh their offer to better meet the demands of their retail customers. Whether you are venturing into foodservice or rethinking your current foodservice strategy, this session will provide you with valuable insights, new ideas and perspectives from   retailers as they discuss their views on foodservice opportunities in convenience retailing.  Moderated by foodservice expert Ira Blumenthal, the discussion will focus on the strategies and tactics necessary to succeed in the “convenient” foods arena.   

Other sessions in the line up include:  The Opening Super Session with Keynote Speaker,  Phil Lempert;  Leading in Tough Times;  Candy & Snacks: Best Retail Practices & Supply Chain Solutions;  Customer Profitability;  How to Market & Sell Tobacco Post-FDA;  When Did Customer Service Die?; and the popular AWMA Buyer’s Program.  Stay tuned—these sessions and others will be profiled in future issues of The AWMA Executive Update.   (Photo Caption: Ira Blumenthal)

SUPER SAVER REGISTRATION EXPIRES ON JANUARY 31, 2010
Register Today – go to www.AWMASHOW.com for registration and housing information

Secure Your Exhibit Booth Today – go to www.AWMASHOW.com or call Julie Sullivan, AWMA Exhibit Sales at (703) 995-3861.