Jun 23, 2016

JUNE 23, 2016 – CHICAGO – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement today on the trajectory of the food retail industry’s premier event, FMI Connect:

"The competitive landscape of food retail is undergoing an unprecedented time of change, which substantiates the need for a venue that allows the entire industry to do business, discover trends, experience innovation and find accord and alliances. An industry event such as FMI Connect, the global event for food retail, does just that – it connects the industry segments to each other, to the greater food industry trading partners, to new ideas and to the future.

"In the face of this grocery revolution, we attract a powerful audience of decision-makers in food retail. FMI Connect attracts thought leaders and buying representatives from the vast majority of the nation’s top retailers. Our international reach is growing, expanding in 2016 to include nearly 30 countries, covering six continents.

"We are committed to leading through change in the multiple meanings of that phrase. We are taking steps to change the event to increasingly reflect the food retail industry of today, which is why we’re committing to boldness and agility.

"You are going hear the word ‘partners’ several times in different ways. This is intentional – because we believe success in the future will be dependent upon partnerships and collaboration and we will be forging these new co-operative ventures across the various aspects of FMI Connect. This includes operations, trading partners, and thought leadership.

"FMI Connect 2017 will adapt, and as our industry is experiencing, we must learn to define success in new ways and this will require embracing the latest in industry trends. The event will increasingly become a direct reflection of those consumer insights and will more effectively explore the future of food retail."

For the 2017 event, to be held June 13- 15 in Chicago, FMI will host and/or focus on the following event elements:

Continue to address the business opportunity for fresh prepared foods and in-store retail dining by:
- expanding the Supermarket Chefs program, building on the 60 culinary and fresh prepared professionals who gathered for this year’s two-day program; and
- connecting retailers to health, wellness and lifestyle tools and solutions. 
 
 Increase technology offerings by:
 - expanding Pulse, the event within the event, that focuses on the technology aspects of modern retailing; and
- showcasing consumer technology trends through thought leader presentations and innovative product demos.
 
Create a platform for the food start-up community by:
 - providing a format of provocative trends conversations among industry thought leaders; and
- embracing the entrepreneurial spirit of the food industry by offering start-ups the opportunity to meet with potential business partners, including those in in the distribution sector.

Cultivate creative collaborations to accommodate increased numbers of organic and specialty purveyors.

Continue to provide valuable workforce leadership training with an annual FMI Future Leaders program.

Continue to showcase private and international brands through special events and the establishment of international pavilions to provide efficient access to trading partners through whom to meet consumers’ changing culinary preferences.
 
Incentivize a more diverse food retail audience by instituting a program that invites select buyers to make efficient and effective pre-selected meetings for retailers to find the categories, product focus and services that they are seeking to meet their buying goals easily.
 
Sarasin said, "As our industry continues to morph and adapt, so will the event. We will be more streamlined and savvy, acclimating to reflect a more intimate, collaborative business environment and light the way into new venues of food retail. Thank you for your investment in the future with us."