More than 40 educational sessions, each adhering to the theme, Solutions for Growth, and a massive exhibit floor featuring thousands of new consumer products complete the Show, the largest international food trade event of its kind.
Joining the FMI Show this year for the first time are three other food industry productions: the United Produce Expo & Conference, sponsored by the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association (UFFVA); All Things Organic, sponsored by the Organic Trade Association; and FMI’s own Supermarket Pharmacy Conference. These events join two others that have previously co-located with FMI: the U.S. Food Export Showcase, presented by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and the Fancy Food Show, presented by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT).
New Pavilions, New Consumer Products Highlight Exhibit Floor
In addition to numerous new consumer products featured throughout the million square foot exhibit floor, the 2004 FMI Show offers several special exhibit areas:
EPC Showcase: The Electronic Product Code (EPC) Showcase will enable technology innovators and suppliers of this technology to exhibit their products and demonstrate real life capabilities. In addition, real time demonstrations of EPC will be featured on the Show floor.
Healthy Living Pavilion: Driven by the nation’s concerns about obesity and infatuation with low-carb diets, this new pavilion will spotlight healthy lifestyles and unique approaches to educating consumers about proper eating habits and wellness.
New Product Showcase: Introduced in 2003, FMI’s New Product Showcase is a destination location on the show floor featuring the latest offerings by suppliers represented at the show. Products are grouped by category, and suppliers are identified with special booth signage and notation in the official Show Guide. The Showcase expands this year to include more products and the Retailer Choice Awards. Retailer/wholesaler attendees will vote, by category, for Best in Show.
Super Sessions, Learning Labs and Nearly 30 Close-Up Sessions Drive Dynamic Education Program With Solutions for Growth, Strategies for Success
Under the theme of “Solutions for Growth,” the 2004 FMI Show education program will kick off with the signature Supermarket Industry SPEAKS presentation on Sunday morning. The annual session features state-of-the-industry data and the newest research on consumer and food retailing trends.
In addition to SPEAKS, nine other “super sessions” focusing on strategic and global industry issues highlight the program. The sessions will be fast-moving, broad in scope, global in application and in tune with current market realities. Super session subjects include consumer shopping behaviors ▪ repositioning the center store ▪ building fresh sales ▪ proven growth strategies ▪ opportunity categories ▪ store design and development and “20 hot industry trends for 2010.”
The super sessions will be complemented by nearly 30 Close-Up sessions in two exhibit hall theatres on the Show floor, and five Learning Labs.
Close-Ups, a series of 30 fast-paced, to-the-point workshops held on the exhibit floor, focus on contemporary food retailing issues. Featured facilitators include industry experts, authors, marketing executives and others. Selected topics include new product trends ▪ private label brands ▪ in-store pharmacies ▪ the 50-plus shopper ▪ radio frequency identification (RFID) ▪ Internet coupons ▪ strategic store design ▪ dealing with out-of-stocks ▪ deli merchandising ▪ multicultural marketing and many more.
Learning Labs allow attendees to experience a more interactive, intensive approach to contemporary industry issues. Limited to 150 persons, each Learning Lab session will consist of a three-hour, multi-part presentation with opportunities for peer networking. Subjects to be covered include growing sales through superior customer service ▪ ethnic merchandising and the bottom line ▪ obesity ▪ product movement/ shelf management and strategies for competing and succeeding in today’s retail marketplace. Pre-registration is required and some workshops may be restricted to certain business types. Learning Lab registration forms can be downloaded from the show Web site at www.fmi.org/events/may.
Superior Service Awards Honor Outstanding Store Managers; Neighborhood Partnership Awards Recognize Business Excellence in Community Support
More than 500 candidates are expected to compete for FMI’s 5th Annual Store Manager Superior Service Awards, a global program recognizing food retail managers who provide extraordinary community or customer service. Contestants submit stories, which are then judged by a panel of experts convened by FMI. Twenty finalists will receive free registration to the show, complimentary hotel accommodations and tickets to the annual FMI reception and dinner. Four grand prize winners, who will be announced at the annual FMI dinner, will receive $1,000 each. Entries must be received by February 11, 2004. For more information, contact Gretchen Plessman at 202-220-0809 or gplessman@fmi.org.
Recognizing community excellence, FMI will present the 2004 Neighborhood Partnership Award at the show. Focusing on youth development, community partnerships, health initiatives and hunger-related programs, the Award is a national competition developed by FMI to recognize retail and wholesale member companies for initiatives that revitalize and invigorate communities.
Customized Programming Offers Opportunities for Key Retail/Wholesale Segments
FMI is offering unique, customized approaches for three key industry segments: large and regional retailers, wholesalers and independent operators, and international retailers.
National and regional food retail and wholesale companies bringing groups of 30 or more to the show will be afforded solutions to their specific company needs and requests. Participating companies will have a total experience tailored exclusively for them using a “menu” approach. Program features include private conference suites ▪ enhanced supplier preparation ▪ pre-show planning assistance ▪ special networking opportunities ▪ professional development opportunities and motivational speakers or targeted subject matter for training.
New this year is the Wholesaler/Independent Operator (IO) Group Program, which is designed to allow these particular attendees better access to each other, exhibiting suppliers and business partners at the show. Working with FMI staff, wholesalers will be provided the opportunity to create groups of their IO customers and provide them with a customized learning experience. Specific features of the program include private suites ▪ pre-show organizational support ▪ customized programming ▪ private supplier meetings and on-site coordination accessing show activities.
FMI has expanded the international component of the show to maximize the benefits for this segment. New features include pre-show planning assistance, such as coordination with exporters at the show and more materials translated into six languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Simple Chinese and Traditional Chinese) ▪ in-language show floor tours with stops at specific exporting exhibitor booths, specialty pavilions and partner exhibit floors ▪ on-site access to consolidators ▪ an international networking reception ▪ private conference suites and new exhibitors. Returning features include the International Trade Center and simultaneous interpretation for the Super Sessions.
The FMI Show — The Place to Be in 2004
The 2004 FMI Show will be an event like no other, offering unprecedented service and customized benefits. Participants of all sizes will find value, efficiency and productivity in this once-a-year gathering of industry leaders from all over the world. For more information, contact FMI convention services at 202-452-8444; call FMI’s Fax-on-Demand Show Infoline at 1-800-890-SHOW (7469); or visit the 2004 FMI Show Web site (www.fmishow.org) for details on exhibitors and workshops, and to register online.
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