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SPOTLIGHT ON STRATEGIC INDUSTRY ISSUES  

With an emphasis on delivering high-value education at the 2010 AWMA Show which will showcase more than 15 hours of sessions, there are topics to meet distributor and manufacturer needs and interests across the management spectrum.  This week, we are putting the spotlight on sessions that focus on strategic industry issues including: big picture retailing trends, opportunities to grow foodservice, leadership during challenging times and retailers’ perspectives on the future of convenience.   All attendees and exhibitors, management and executive staff will not want to miss these thought-provoking sessions!

Wednesday, March 10

7:30 – 8:25 a.m.

Wake Up Session—Leading in Tough Times
Speaker:  Doug MacKay, President, The Glen Douglas Group

It’s pretty clear that the current economic crisis won’t go away anytime soon—but it can be a major catalyst for overdue change.  During this thought-provoking session, MacKay will address profound questions confronting today’s wholesale distribution leaders and explore potential solutions.  Topics to be explored include: how to gain competitive advantage; understanding the challenges your customers face that demand your leadership; and, improving the quality of life for your employees and your customers. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear how effective leadership in these tough times can make a huge difference to your company’s bottom line.
 
8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

Opening Super Session—Retail Trends & Consumer Shopping Habits
Keynote Speaker:  Phil Lempert – the Supermarket Guru   

Phil Lempert, expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends, and the changing retail landscape, will kick off the AWMA Show as keynote speaker during the Opening Super Session on Wednesday, March 10 in Las Vegas.  Known as the Supermarket Guru, Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts consumers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions.

As one of America’s leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, Lempert is recognized on television, radio and in print.   He is the food trends editor and correspondent for NBC News’ Today Show, he makes monthly appearances on ABC’s The View and has appeared numerous times on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC and other news programs throughout the country.  

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Super Session—Foodservice – Best in Class Operators Share their Strategies
Moderator:  Ira Blumenthal, President, Co-Opportunities
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. Hear from a panel of foodservice retailers who will showcase their “best in class” foodservice operations in:  Proprietary Foodservice, Beverages and Marketing & Merchandising.  Learn what sets these operators apart and how they differentiate their food offerings from the competition. Whether you are venturing into foodservice or rethinking your current foodservice strategy, this session will provide you with valuable insights, new ideas and perspectives to bring to your retail customers.  Moderated by foodservice expert Ira Blumenthal, the discussion will focus on the strategies and tactics necessary to succeed in the “convenient” foods arena.   

Thursday, March 11

9:45 – 11:00 a.m.

Closing Super Session—Retailer Perspectives on 2010 & Beyond
Moderator:    Mitch Morrison, Group Editor, CSP Information Group

This dynamic session features a panel of convenience retail executives who will share their insights and views on the state of convenience retailing, the strengths, the opportunities, what’s on the horizon, and what they are doing in their companies to innovate and attract new customers.  You won’t want to miss this final session of the 2010 Show which promises to deliver thought-provoking ideas and solutions to bring back to your company and to your customers.

Other sessions in the line up include:  Foodservice Trends, Challenges & Opportunities; Candy & Snacks:  Best Retail Practices & Supply Chain Solutions; Customer Profitability—What’s the True Cost of a Customer?; 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.

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