AWMA’s 2012 Show Closing Super Session titled “What’s Driving the Changing Retail Landscape?” is set to be held Friday, Feb. 17., and will include insights from a panel of leading retailers that includes Tedeschi Food Shops President & CEO Peter Tedeschi, Open Pantry Food Marts of Wisconsin COO James F. Fiene, and CPD Energy CEO Mickey Jamal.
“We are very excited about this session—hearing from leading retailers is of keen interest and importance to the distributors and manufacturers that attend the show, and this session in particular supports our overall strategic direction to bring thought leaders together to discuss industry trends, issues and opportunities,” said AWMA President & CEO Scott Ramminger.
AWMA’s board, convention committee and AWMA staff have been focused on revamping the AWMA Show for the past two years and an important part of the reinvention of the show is offering education sessions that deliver valuable industry insights.
At 189 locations and growing, Tedeschi Food Shops is continuing to push the limits of what a convenience store “should” be. Providing customers with fresh food, innovative services, and community support, as the Tedeschi family has been since 1923, remains the driving force behind Tedeschi Food Shops.
CPD is a family‐owned business that began with one station in 1981 in New Paltz, NY. They currently operate 135 locations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. In October 2008, CPD was inducted into the Food Industry Hall of Fame. CPD’s driving philosophy is centered on excellence, expertise and experience.
Open Pantry is a 26‐store chain located in Wisconsin serving the Madison and Milwaukee markets. Open Pantry is passionate about providing convenience. It is their belief that the people, particularly in these hectic times, need time. By providing one stop convenience for fuel, newspapers, coffee, milk, tobacco, high quality “grab and go” food and much more, Open Pantry’s mission is to satisfy that customer on the move.
Industry icon, Drayton McLane, Jr. kicks off the AWMA 2012 Show as the keynote speaker during the Opening Super Session on Thursday, Feb. 16. McLane, chairman of the McLane Group and CEO of the Houston Astros Baseball Club, will discuss his views on opportunities for distributors in this changing marketplace.
“AWMA is committed to bringing in industry leaders from around the country to discuss the forces and trends that are shaping the convenience industry. We are extremely gratified that Drayton McLane and the panel of industry retailers have agreed to share their considerable inights. This is a lineup that no one will want to miss,” added Ramminger.
AWMA’S 2012 Show features more than 16 hours of educational sessions including two Super Sessions, concurrent sessions on foodservice, strategic leadership issues and key categories, as well as programs geared specifically for smaller distributors. More than 200 companies will be showcasing their latest products and services in the expo, which features a Foodservice Pavilion, Candy Pavilion and new Operations Pavilion. Registration, housing and complete details of the Show can be found at: www.AWMASHOW.com.