2012 Midwinter Executive Conference

Registration
Sponsored by: Chemstar, The Hershey Company,  Nestlé Waters North America and Retail Sense

Joint Board and Golfers Luncheon
Sponsored by: Unilever

FMI Presents the PepsiCo X-Factor Backstage Party
Connect with your friends and colleagues during a "must see" evening event. Join the fun in a casual, relaxed atmosphere with special appearances by celebrity judges and singing talent from this new hit TV show. You won't want to miss the fun, deliciously infused menu, beverages and live entertainment provided by our generous sponsors.
Premier Sponsor: PepsiCo, Inc.
General Sponsors: Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Campbell Soup Company, CHEP, The Hershey Company, Kraft Foods, Inc., McCormick & Company, Inc., SymphonyIRI Group, Inc., Unilever

8:45 am - 9:30 am

FL!P: Creative Strategies for Turning Challenge into Opportunity, and Change into Competitive Advantage
Sponsored by: Retail Solutions Inc.
Innovation doesn’t just mean a hot new product or advertising campaign.  True innovation is more often a realignment of the way that leaders think about business structure and organizational design.  Peter Sheahan reveals that in order to find new opportunity and increase competitive advantage, organizations must look at their business and industry in a new way.  Whether the answer is a change in supply chain, a transition in commission structure or an internal campaign for positive behavioral change, Sheahan examines the ways organizations must change with the demands of the new marketplace.  Using industry-specific examples, and an energetic stage presence, Sheahan challenges his audience to think differently to create mind-blowing success.
Peter Sheahan, Author, Fl!p

Spouse/Guest Event and Luncheon
Sponsored by: Accenture, Hallmark Cards, Inc. and Source Interlink Companies
Hosted by the FMI Executive Board Officers spouses, this exceptional event is planned especially for all spouses and guests with a gourmet lunch and an entertaining guest speaker.
Guest Speaker: Stacey Bess, Author, "Nobody Don't Love Nobody."

Independent Operator Luncheon
(Independent Operators only)
Sponsored by: SAS Institute, Inc.
Using Analytics in Grocery to Optimize Assortment and Space
Analytics have become a vital element for grocery retailers, helping them to hone in on best practices in order to improve customer service. From space management and promotion planning to price optimization and assortment planning, analytics are delivering the insights that help grow the business and improve the bottom line. Attend this session to learn more from a panel of industry experts about the benefits of analytics, highlighting innovation and how you can gain greater customer insight to drive better merchandising decisions.
Moderator:
Jim Hertel, Managing Partner, Willard Bishop, LLC
Panelists:
Chris Vukich, Vice President, Business Opitmization and Pricing, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
Eric Williams, Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer (Retired), Catalina

Independent Operator Business Session
(Independent Operators only)
The 25 Best Retail Food Ideas in 25 Years
 In the music recording industry, it is common to package the top songs of an artists’ career into a “Best of…” album. Following this model, we offer you a “Best of Food Retail” session.  With over 25 years in the food retail business, Harold Lloyd has accumulated a wealth of ideas to boost your sales, help you improve your employee morale, and reduce your costs.  This session offers his greatest hits.  All have passed the test of time and been validated in the real world.  Harold will provide a detailed handout and access to additional resources to help you reap the rewards of his experience by putting the ideas into action.
Harold Lloyd, President, H. Lloyd & Associates, Inc.

Outlook 2012:  A Recipe for Politics and Regulation in the Retail Food Industry
From country of origin labeling to labor rules to swipe fees, Washington’s legislation and regulation impacts nearly every aspect of your business.  What’s cooking for 2012? What effect will ingredients such as election year politics and a continued sluggish economy have? How can you and FMI  educate government officials to understand the industry and work with us to solve problems and grow your business rather than imposing additional costs and paperwork?   After more than a decade in the industry and more than two decades in Washington, Jennifer Hatcher shares her perspective on achieving legislative and regulatory victories in 2012 and beyond and highlights your critical role.
Jennifer Hatcher,Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Food Marketing Institute

Jobs, the Economy, and America’s Competitiveness in a Global Environment

The longest-serving U.S. Secretary of Labor since World War II, Elaine Chao was at the forefront of the analysis of labor statistics for nearly a decade. Currently, as a fellow at The Heritage Foundation and a FOX commentator, she continues to look in-depth at the employment situation and the recovering U.S. economy. She will address the interwoven economic indicators, world events, policy developments, and leadership that affect our current fiscal situation and explain how they impact the future of American jobs and our nation’s competitiveness at home and abroad. Understanding there is nothing more important to your business than your labor force and your customers having good, stable jobs, Secretary Chao will offer her assessment on the current economy and how to run your business in this challenging environment.

Elaine Chao, Former U.S. Secretary of Labor; Distinguished Fellow, The Heritage Foundation; Fox News Contributor

Stomach Wars: How and Why Supermarkets Should Become A Food Force For Fun and Profit
The Food Network. Obesity wars. Nutrition concerns. Organic vs. local. Fast food vs. slow food. They all have one thing in common - America's complicated obsession with food. Sometimes it is healthy, sometimes it is not, but food is increasingly top of mind. Supermarkets are on the front lines of the battle over what to eat, how to cook it and where to buy it. In this provocative conversation, Kevin Coupe of MorningNewsBeat.com will chat with four experts from the restaurant/culinary universe and the world of food entertainment. Get an inside look at today's trends, tomorrow's opportunities and how supermarkets can capitalize on them to build share of market and share of stomach.
Moderator:
Kevin Coupe, Founder and Content Guy, MorningNewsBeat.com; Co-Author, "The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies"
Panelists:
Luigi Bonini, Vice President, Global Consumer Product Development and Innovation, Starbucks Coffee Company
Victor A. L. Gielisse, DBA, CMC, CHE, Vice President Advancement and Business Development, The Culinary Institute of America
Sandra Lee, Editor-in-Chief, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine; Host, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cooking, Sandra's Money Saving Meals, and Sandra Lee Celebrates 
Michael O'Donnell, President and CEO, Ruth's Hospitality Group

Competing in a Changed Retail Environment
Gain keys to competing in the new retail environment through insights from customers and experts alike. This session examines the results from a custom survey to reveal the new rituals and rhythms of the American shopper and captures the key shopper preferences in order to increase their loyalty. This will be followed by an engaging conversation between retailer and manufacturer executives who will be challenged to reflect on new ways to compete.
Moderator:
Thom Blischok, President, Global Innovation and Strategy, SymphonyIRI Group, Inc.
Panelists:
Donald Knauss, Chairman and CEO, The Clorox Company
Jeff Martin, Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing, Ahold USA, Inc.
Michael Minasi, President, Marketing, Safeway, Inc.
Judy Spires, Chief Executive Officer, AG Supermarket Holdings