Jan 27, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC — January 27, 2003 — In-depth analysis and evaluation of current issues, trends, opportunities and challenges are key aspects of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Today’s Managers: Tomorrow’s Leaders conference, to be held February 23-28, at the Food Industry Leadership Center in Skamania, WA. Food industry executives and senior level managers, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and suppliers will gain broad perspective to help them make more informed decisions and strengthen their leadership positions.

“This unique program offers valuable advice on strengthening leadership roles and fostering important industry relationships,” said Kimberly Roberts, manager of education, FMI. “Attendees share their own experiences and expertise to learn how to develop practical, innovative solutions to on-the-job problems.”

Held in partnership with Portland State University, this program offers a comprehensive look at current and emerging business practices in the food industry. The conference focuses on solution-oriented case studies, role-playing, team discussions and lectures. Throughout the week, attendees work to understand how the various segments of the food/packaged goods industry value chain are interrelated, build managerial and executive skills in creating solutions to common problems and gain insight from top-level executives from prominent and successful companies.

Today’s Mangers: Tomorrow’s Leaders features various seminars throughout each day, emphasizing practical management issues:

Financial Management for Food Executives — This session will explain evaluating strategies and tactical alternatives for analyzing trends and predicting growth. Financial statements from selected food industry leaders will be analyzed, offering a new way to interpret financial data.

Increasing Customer Loyalty — In this session, participants will learn the basics of increasing consumer brand loyalty, the benefits of added value products, how to encourage consumer loyalty and how to improve share of household consumption.

Key Elements in Negotiation — This session will explore various aspects of negotiation, such as a strategic approach and methodology. Examples include identifying the desired outcome, along with the most effective tools and tactics.

Supply and Logistics Management —This session will examine the key components of the supply chain and the supply and logistics functions, including perishability.

Today’s Leadership Challenge: Acquiring and Developing Talent — This session will focus on the ability to recognize and attract the best and brightest talent, as well as on the development and retention of valuable employees.

Leadership and Team Development — This day-long session will provide new ideas for leadership, putting collaborative problem solving concepts into action with hands-on group exercises.

Managing Change, Transition, and Conflict — This session will demonstrate how food chain partners manage change, develop transitional strategies, and forecast potential conflict.

Balancing Life — This session examines ways to break through old habits and replace them with highly effective ones that will have an immediate impact on work performance and overall quality of life.

Key executives and members from the FMI Executive Committee will speak throughout the week including Al Carey, COO, PepsiCo Inc.; Chuck Carlbom, chairman BPI; Dirk Davis, president pacific western division, Unified Western Grocers; Ted File, senior vice president trade services, Information Resources, Inc.; David Frost, president, Frost and Partners; Ron King, president and CEO, Western Family Foods, Inc.; Robert Miller, president, Trailblazer Foods; Gary Newman, executive vice president human resources, Information Resources, Inc.; Curt Roberts, vice president, NIKE; Gary Smith, president and CEO, Encore Associates, Inc.; and, Ken Thrasher, CEO, Compli Corporation.

For more information on the Today’s Managers: Tomorrow’s Leaders conference, contact Kimberly Roberts (202-220-0720, kroberts@fmi.org) or visit the FMI Web site (www.fmi.org).