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.

“We are thrilled to have Phil as our keynote speaker as his expertise in consumer trends, the changing retail landscape and new products are all areas of keen interest among our distributor and manufacturer members”, commented Jon Burklund, 2010 AWMA Chairman.  “Not only will we kick off with a strong business speaker, but that’s exactly what our attendees and exhibitors will find throughout this newly formatted AWMA Show.   We heard from our members that a strong educational program is critical to their decision to attend – and this year’s Show will deliver a total of 10 sessions that focus on the most relevant issues impacting our industry and having Phil kick off our event is a perfect way to set the stage” he added.  

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.  

“We are investing in providing an expanded educational program this year as part of our long term plan to make the AWMA Show the premier conference and expo for distributors and manufacturers in the convenience retailing channel.  Our program will continue to feature  sessions on the traditional categories of candy, snacks, tobacco and merchandise; however, a new focus of our education sessions 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” added Scott Ramminger, President & CEO of AWMA.

Other changes to the AWMA Show for 2010 include rebranding the show The AWMA Show, shifting the days of the week so the show runs from Tuesday through Thursday, refreshing the exposition with new products and services, the addition of AWMA Café for lunch each day and holding the industry reception on Wednesday evening in the exhibit hall.  The AWMA Show 2010 will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton, March 11 – 13.  To register or secure an exhibit booth at The AWMA Show, go to www.AWMASHOW.com  where you will also find updates on educational sessions and speakers.