May 2, 2004
WASHINGTON, DC — May 2, 2004 — A “dramatically different” FMI Show is being designed for 2005 and beyond in order to maximize the value of the annual FMI Show for exhibitors, retailers and wholesalers, and all other attendees.

“Our members and our business partners continue to face a rapidly changing industry and we need to enhance the Show format to remain in the forefront of those changes,” declared FMI Senior Vice President Brian Tully. “These changes have been evolutionary, and reaching out to our association partners with the strengths in focused categories has been a good decision to reflect the reality and needs of today’s business environment.”

Beginning in 2005, the exhibition floor will be redesigned to focus on specific supermarket categories that will change from year-to-year, while also providing space for exhibits that are more general or outside of the selected categories. The categories selected for 2005 are GM/HBC, Meal Solutions, Seasonal Products and Ethnic Foods.

The show’s educational program will continue to enhance the “Category Close-up” sessions that are held on the Show floor to tie in with the relevant exhibits. In addition, a limited number of business conference suites, complete with FMI-staffed concierge service, will be provided on the Show floor’s perimeter.

“We intend to deliver a high-level opportunity for exhibitors, retailers and wholesalers to maximize their efficiency and productivity at the Show,” Tully said, explaining that FMI’s concierge service will include assistance with scheduling business meetings in the suites between suppliers and customers.

“A third option for some companies,” Tully noted, “will be to have booth space within the category areas if they have products or services that indirectly fit, such as ingredients, products or equipment that might be used in the Meal Solutions section, as an example.”

FMI surveys show that 53 percent of exhibitors participate in the show to meet new prospects and generate leads and 18 percent do so to introduce new products and services. Eight percent, respectively, exhibit to make domestic sales and enhance their corporate image.

But 60 percent of retailers and wholesalers attend to see new products and developments, and 37 percent do so to keep current of industry trends. Another 24 percent want to see specific companies and products, and 23 percent seek to network.

“Our intention is to do a better job of aligning how the show delivers value in order to fulfill the objectives of both attendees and exhibitors,” Tully said.

Tully noted that the 2004 Show is responding to some of these needs, with an expanded New Products Showcase and the new Retailer’s Choice Awards, as well as a sharper focus on specific areas of concern, such as the Show’s new Healthy Living Pavilion and the Electronic Product Code (EPC) Showcase.

“We recognize that these changes are bold, and FMI and our strategic co-location partners are committed to continuing to innovate to meet the changing industry landscape,” Tully said. “We intend to offer differentiating value and excitement and to personalize the appeal and value to each segment of the our Show exhibitors and attendees. The Show experience and the education programs will be designed to provide strategies, tactics, and an interactive business experience relative to today’s changing environment.