The AWMA Show is just three months away—the educational agenda will be among the strongest ever offered and the exhibit hall is expanding into new categories to deliver new product and service solutions to the industry.  Each week from now until the Show opening on February 8, 2011, we will use this e-newsletter to put the spotlight on educational sessions, speakers, exhibit hall updates and important deadlines.  This week, we are pleased to feature the Foodservice Category – one of the strongest growth categories in the industry—representing more than 15% of in-store sales—more than $28B in annual c-store sales last year.

At AWMA’s 2011 Show, the focus on foodservice spans from the educational sessions to the exhibit hall.  If your company currently offers a foodservice program, or is in the process of developing one, you and your foodservice team cannot afford to miss:

• the foodservice sessions—guaranteed to deliver key takeaways that will grow your foodservice program
• the new foodservice pavilion where you will see, taste and experience the newest foodservice programs available from leading manufacturers; and
• the insights you will gain through informal networking with business partners and peers.

Wednesday, February 9
7:30 – 8:25 a.m.
Foodservice—What’s So Difficult?
Moderator: Larry Miller, President, Miller Management & Consulting Services, Inc.
Panelists: Retailers who are successful with Foodservice - TBA
Hear from a panel of retailers as they discuss successful distributor/retailer relationships that serve up foodservice success. In this candid discussion, distributors will gain an understanding of what is involved with building a foodservice program from commitment to equipment to training to the types of programs available.
Discussion will focus on three major ingredients of foodservice programs including: Menu (program components), Branding (branded vs. proprietary), and Commitment (training/support). The panel will explain through personal experiences the pros & cons of turnkey and proprietary programs and share their views on what they believe the perfect partnership between retailers and whole¬sale distributors and suppliers would or should be.

Thursday, February 10
8:15 – 9:30 a.m.
The Role Distributors Must Play in Delivering C-store Foodservice Success
Speaker: Timothy Powell, Director, Research & Consulting Technomic, Inc.
Back by popular demand – Timothy Powell from Technomic, Inc. – one of the highest rated speakers at the AWMA Show 2010!

In this session, attendees will learn what role they can play in menu development as their c-store foodservice customers continue to aggressively broaden their foodservice offerings on a daily basis. Specific takeaways include:
• Understanding the current state of c-store foodservice in a recessionary environment
• Determining the factors influencing today’s menu trends
• Insights into day part menu items that show the most opportunity
• Spotlighting c-store concepts that are already addressing the current and future trends
• Providing insights that will help distributors prepare and strategize for the future

All New – Foodservice Pavilion on the Show Floor
As distributors continue to grow their foodservice programs to better meet the needs of their retail customers and the demands of today’s consumers, AWMA is committed to help distributors navigate this complex category.  This new focus area right on the exhibit floor brings foodservice solutions directly to you. See, smell and taste the industry’s hottest food products including: fresh offerings, hot/cold beverages, food programs, bakery, salads, coffee, pizza, chicken, sandwiches, packaging, equipment and services—everything you need to serve up new solutions to your retail customers!

Foodservice Pavilion Exhibitors (as of 10-31-10)
ATC Group
Boyd Coffee
Brakebush Brothers, Inc.
Chesters International
Chiquita
Dole Packaged Foods
Fast Food Systems
FSI Beverage Systems
Gehl Foods
GoodWest Industries
Great American Deli
Java Classics/Distant Lands
Leramo Coffee & Tea
Lettieri’s Hot Stuff
Michaels Foods, Inc.
Omni Food Concepts
Passport Foods (Tres Picosos)
Piccadilly Circus Pizza
Prairie City Bakery
S&D Coffee
Selection Unlimited
 
Foodservice companies that would like information about exhibiting in this dedicated area in the exhibit hall should contact Jane Berzan, AWMA’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at jmberzan@cox.net or 703 517-4752.
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For the full educational line up, a complete list of the more than 200 exhibiting companies, to register and to secure hotel accommodations, be sure to visit www.AWMASHOW.com.

SUPER SAVER REGISTRATION EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 15, 2010 – SAVE 50% ON FULL SHOW REGISTRATION!