WASHINGTON, DC — January 23, 2006 — Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) announced today that they will co-locate two conferences in April: FMI’s Distribution Conference, April 2-5, and GMA’s Information Systems/Logistics Distribution (IS/LD) Conference, April 3-5. Both events will be held at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. The shared venue offers ample opportunity for mutual discussion of supply chain collaboration opportunities.
“FMI is very pleased these important industry events will co-locate” said Gerry Greenleaf, vice president, distribution, Hannaford Bros., and chairman of FMI’s 2006 Distribution Conference. “In addition to dynamic, comprehensive education programming, attendees will find opportunities for building new relationships, creating synergies and enhancing trading partner initiatives.”
“Strong relationships between manufacturers and retailers are critical to the success of many industry-wide initiatives, as well as a necessity for survival. The shared venue of our conferences is an excellent opportunity for manufacturers and retailers alike to meet their counterparts and begin discussions to improve our joint supply chains,” said Dee Biggs, director of customer logistics solutions, Welch Foods, and GMA joint programming co-chair.
The conferences will share a reception April 3, and joint sessions on the morning of Tuesday, April 4, where retailer and supplier collaboration case studies will be showcased.
Co-chairs for the joint programming are Mike Bargmann, senior vice president, distribution and manufacturing, and chief logistics officer, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.; and Dee Biggs.
About the FMI Distribution Conference
Opening on April 2, the annual FMI Distribution Conference offers a unique overview of the latest trends, complexities and concerns in the logistics arena, utilizing breakout discussion and business sessions. Key issues to be addressed include the reality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), managing the high cost of fuel, overcoming vulnerability in the supply chain for competitive advantage, consumer behavior and shopping trends, recruiting and retaining a competent workforce, improving distribution center performance through automation, and emerging technologies being developed and implemented.
The conference will also feature breakout discussion groups, a golf tournament and several networking receptions.
For more information, contact Pat Shinko at 202-220-0705 or pshinko@fmi.org.
About the GMA IS/LD Conference
Opening on April 3, the annual GMA IS/LD Conference examines information technology as the enabler of supply chain collaboration between manufacturers and their retail partners. Co-chaired by Dee Biggs and Marc Brown, CIO, Del Monte Foods, Inc., this year’s conference will focus on serving the consumer and winning at each moment of truth.
The program will provide case study insight of successful collaboration between supplier and customer to facilitate seamless, accurate communication, and to expedite the complete order, delivery to shelf and replenish cycle at minimum of time and cost. The program will feature educational breakout sessions that address IT, logistics, e-collaboration and direct store delivery challenges and opportunities.
For more details, contact Jeanne Iglesias at 202-337-9400 or jiglesias@gmabrands.com.
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in research, education, industry relations and public affairs on behalf of its 1,500 member companies — food retailers and wholesalers — in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate approximately 26,000 retail food stores with a combined annual sales volume of $340 billion — three-quarters of all retail food store sales in the United States. FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent supermarkets. Its international membership includes 200 companies from 50 countries.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world’s leading branded food, beverage and consumer products companies. Since 1908, GMA has been an advocate for its members on public policy issues and has championed initiatives to increase industrywide productivity and growth. GMA member companies employ more than 2.5 million workers in all 50 states and account for more than $680 billion in sales. The association is led by a board of member company chief executives. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmabrands.com.
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