AWMA’s new Foodservice Pavilion being launched at the 2011 Show in February is currently sold out.  The Foodservice Pavilion is part of a larger initiative to support this growing and profitable category.  Foodservice in convenience stores represents more than 15% of in-store sales—more than $28B in annual c-store sales in 2009, according to NACS’ State of the Industry report. AWMA’s foodservice initiative will help distributors of all sizes develop a foodservice offer or fine-tune their existing offer.  Two in-depth educational programs focused specifically on building distributor knowledge of this complex category combined with the opportunity to meet with leading foodservice companies on the show floor will provide new insights and ideas regardless of level of experience and expertise with this category.  

“I would like to encourage all distributors and retailers who are attending to be sure to spend time in the pavilion.  The Show is a perfect opportunity to meet one-on-one with foodservice companies to discuss new menu ideas, effective merchandising techniques and execution solutions”, said Keith Canning, AWMA’s 2011 Chairman.   “Our goal is to provide wholesale distributors with access to key foodservice suppliers that they can partner with to either help develop a program or improve existing programs,” he added.

The Foodservice Pavilion covers nearly 3,500 square feet of space in a dedicated area in the exhibit hall. Exhibitors as of December 22:

ATC Group
Boyd Coffee Company
Brakebush Brothers, Inc.
BriteVision
Caribbean Crème
Chester’s International
Chiquita
Dole Packaged Foods
Fast Food Systems
Gehl Foods, Inc.
GoodWest
Great American Deli
Hot Stuff Express/Lettieri’s
Leramo Coffee Corp
Hudson Tea Company
Majestic Fresh Brewed Iced Tea
LandMark Products
Michaels Foods, Inc.
OMNI Food Concepts, Inc. “Next Generation Foodservice”
Prairie City
Red River Tea Company
S&D Coffee
Selection Unlimited
Steve’s Frozen Chillers

The scope of products, programs and services featured in the pavilion include food solutions for every part of the day—fresh and prepared items, hot and cold dispensed beverages, menu sign systems and equipment. AWMA has allocated more than 10% of Expo to the Foodservice Pavilion—which also includes a lounge area for product tasting and business discussions—with a plan to expand this area each year to accommodate the anticipated growing demand among food companies that want to meet with key decision-makers from national, regional and local wholesale distribution companies.

“I would like to personally thank each foodservice company that is exhibiting with us in the first of what will now become an annual feature area in our Expo” commented Scott Ramminger, AWMA President & CEO.  “Our members have historically relied on several key categories for the majority of their business, and while those categories continue to play a critical role, as the convenience industry evolves, distributors need to be at the forefront with new products, programs and merchandising ideas.”

We are in the process of expanding the area in order to accommodate additional exhibitors.  Any foodservice companies who are interested in participating should contact Jane Berzan, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at AWMA at  jmberzan@cox.net.

For the complete line up of education sessions, networking events, listing of the more than 200 exhibiting companies, to register and to secure hotel accommodations, be sure to visit www.AWMASHOW.com.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION ENDS ON JANUARY 7 – REGISTER EARLY  AND SAVE TIME AT THE SHOW!