Gather With the Grocery Industry in Palm Springs

The anticipation starts now. CGA’s Strategic Conference is returning to Palm Springs September 24–26, 2023.

The Strategic Conference is a nexus for California’s grocery community, linking retailers and suppliers during private in-person meetings and intimate networking events. Attracting upwards of 800 grocery executives annually, our Strategic Conference is the place to build real connections with California’s grocery decision-makers, and have fun while doing it.

To compliment productive in-person meetings, our educational sessions feature cutting edge speakers and doers from the broader business community to offer a fresh look at the big picture of business.

Level Up With a Sponsorship

Maximize your experience at the Strategic Conference with a sponsorship to reach key grocery executives in attendance. Our team will work with you to tailor a sponsorship that meets your needs and budget. View the sponsorship prospectus for more information or contact Bailey Dayen.

At CGA’s annual Grocers Day at the Capitol event our industry has the opportunity to build a policy environment that will benefit our industry and customers. Together, industry representatives will educate state legislators about the grocery industry’s most pressing issues during face-to-face meetings. We need your voice at the Capitol on April 12.

Grocers will gather in the morning to hear legislative and regulatory leaders talk about the big-picture policy debates shaping the state. Then, after a legislative overview with CGA’s government relations team and Louie Brown from Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, attendees will have a full schedule of in-person meetings with legislators in the afternoon. Our day of advocacy will conclude with the evening President’s Reception from 5 – 7 p.m.

Register Today

Don’t miss the most important advocacy day of the year for California grocers. Click here to register for Grocers Day at the Capitol.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. To view opportunities and register as a sponsor, fill out and submit this form to Beth Wright.

Team CGA had the pleasure of spending the day with Board Chair Dennis Darling in his hometown to visit his family business, Foods Etc. On a sunny February morning, Dennis greeted us at the Foods Etc. office in Clearlake. It wasn’t long before we were joined by Dennis’ wife and co-owner of Foods Etc., Ruth Darling, and Andrew Pierson, the Darling’s son-in-law who will take over the family business along with their daughter, Kori, when the pair retires next year. 

From there, Dennis, Ruth, and Andrew took us on a tour of their immaculate store, introduced us to their longtime employees, and told us about the many ways Foods Etc. supports the local community. During our visit, we also learned about the strong relationship Foods Etc. has formed with local elected officials. It quickly became clear that the Darlings are known for going above and beyond for the community of Clearlake. Whether it be emergency response, sponsoring local sports team, donating holiday turkeys, or running holiday charity drives, the Darlings and their store are certainly a pillar of the community.

California Grocers Association President and CEO Ron Fong was named one of the 10 best CEOs of 2022 by C Level Focus. The following feature article was published in the January 2023 issue of C Level Focus.

Maintain Open Lines of Communication

The California Grocers Association has been active since 1896, representing grocery retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers. “It’s a challenging and ever-changing industry that requires a constant refresh of how we represent the state’s grocery community, and also the reinvention of the Association from time to time,” says Ronald Fong, CEO of CGA. Every year we seem to tackle a different issue— whether that’s COVID, inflation, or recycling—because the food system is so complicated and multi-faceted.

Fong’s mentorship has been both familial and professional. He attributes much of his career growth to his work at the California Credit Union League, where he learned under CEOs Dave Chatfield and John Annaloro. Since becoming CGA CEO, he has sought advice from and learned from respected individuals. He admires former CGA Board Chairs Kevin Konkel, Raley’s, Phil Miller, Coremark, Jonathan Mayes, Albertsons, and Hee-Sook Alden, Gelson’s, and he checks in with them often. He was influenced as a child by his grandfather, Dan Fong, who founded a small Northern California supermarket chain. His grandfather’s admiration for American politics and culture brought him to the United States. Even after his death 20 years ago, Fong has continued to practice the hardworking ethic he learned from his grandfather.

Alongside his duties as CGA’s chief executive, today, Fong serves on the California State University Foundation Board, which keeps him connected to his alma mater. He believes it’s important to explore new experiences and perspectives, and he appreciates that the board brings him exposure to issues he wouldn’t normally examine, such as student food insecurity. This has also allowed him to mentor young students and build relationships with the University of Southern California and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. As a function of these relationships, he and the CGA Board Chair visit students interested in the grocery business each year, which he finds fulfilling.

People think CEOs live a rich and famous lifestyle, but that’s not true, explains the CGA President and CEO. It’s about leadership and hard work, and that sometimes requires getting your hands dirty — literally. Representing a great industry is an honor, and Fong loves that grocers are the heart and soul of communities. Educating elected officials, who don’t always understand the industry or how hard it is to run a business in California, is the least fun part of the job.

Fong is still a traditionalist who believes in face-to-face interactions. He enjoys going into the office and talking with his team, instead of relying on email or texting. One-on-one sit-downs and monthly staff meetings are hugely important to maintaining the company culture and keeping communication flowing across the organization.

Fong advises seeking as much information from multiple sources as possible before making important decisions. He suggests leaders listen to both sides and decide on the merits and paradoxically, be swift.

The pandemic was a politically volatile time for the grocery industry. CGA and its members worked hard to keep stores open during the pandemic while keeping customers and employees safe. Fong believes leaders must be adept negotiators, part of which involves understanding what’s acceptable before entering negotiations. A little suffering on both sides often means a fair compromise has been made.

When offered feedback, the CGA President and CEO seeks precedent. He wants the facts and reads deeply — seeking information, ideas, and legal background. In Association administration, he believes it’s vital to listen to members and not have a prepared solution for board members. Realizing one’s favored solution may not be what people want requires humility, he adds. Board relations require a profound understanding of people. It is important to understand who influences whom and who can be relied on when the going gets tough.

Attracting new members is a constant endeavor for the organization. It has a strong base of traditional retail members, but it is always actively recruiting nontraditional members. The association’s membership is diverse and offers many perspectives. CGA has recently added technology start-ups and new grocery upstarts to its membership portfolio. “Find the decision-maker and figure out what will resonate with them,” suggests Fong. He and his team don’t take “no” for an answer and maintain the long view.

In the near future Fong would love to launch a statewide, multi-channel pro-grocery campaign outside of election years. He wants Californians and lawmakers to recognize how important the grocery industry is the grocery community feeds and develops communities. He also wants to continue making in-roads with technology companies and nontraditional grocery retailers as CGA must continually identify new players, he adds. Its strength is governmental advocacy due to the organization’s role representing the grocery industry’s legislative and political aims. Finally, in the next five years he intends to grow membership by also pursuing mergers with or acquisitions of related associations.

Independent Operators Explore Leadership and Community at Symposium 

For an opportunity to restore creative energy and build momentum for the year ahead, our independent grocery community joined us on Maui for the 2023 Independent Operators Symposium. This year, grocers zeroed in on burnout, leadership, and community for a renewed approach to business in 2023. Grocers returned from this year’s event refocused with a fresh perspective to bring home to their teams. 

In addition to networking, collaborating, and taking time to recharge, our independent operators participated in invigorating educational sessions led by Hamza Khan on “Beyond Burnout: Why Self-Care is Not the Only Solution in the Reimagined Workplace,” Heather R. Younger on “The Art of Caring Leadership,” and Mark Brand on “Building Better Communities” to get guests thinking outside the box about new ways to approach leadership and support their communities.

Thank you to our independent operators for kicking off the year with us at Symposium! Check out photos from the event below. 

The Forecast: What Does 2023 Look Like?

In the latest issue of California Grocer magazine we take what we’ve learned from the past year to forecast all that’s to come in 2023. Read Issue 4 online here.

First, we introduce you to the new CGA Board Chair, Dennis Darling, owner of Foods, Etc. Following an influx of new members at the capitol, insider Louie Brown from Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP introduces us to new faces in the Legislature. California campaign strategist Jessica Mause breaks down results from the midterm election and what they mean for California in the new year. President of the National Grocers Association Greg Ferrara tells independent grocers can expect from the new congress. Immediate Past Chair Renee Amen pens her final column, reflecting on her year as Chair. From Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Agribusiness Department, Dr. Ricky Volpe helps us understand inflation’s effects on food prices and where they’re headed next.

Must-read sections from Issue 4:

• Understanding Food Prices and Where They’re Headed (Pg. 16)
  Dr. Ricky Volpe, Ph.D.
• Dennis Darling to Serve as 2023 CGA Board Chair (Pg. 24)
  Jessica Love
• California’s Midterm Election: A Recap and What’s Next (Pg. 28)
  Jessica Mause
• Mommy Blogger: Shopper Beware (Pg. 52)
  Kimberly Rae Miller
  

We’re ringing in 2023 with a packed schedule of events. Our signature events feature the perfect balance of networking with educational programming, meaning you’re sure to walk away with new business connections and ideas to move your company forward. We look forward to connecting with our grocery community throughout the year at the following events.

For more details about our events, click here. For questions about our events, contact Beth Wright, Sr. Director of Events and Sponsorship.

Dennis Darling, Owner, Foods, Etc., was elected the 2022-2023 California Grocers Association (CGA) Chair of the Board of Directors at the Association’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 1, 2022. 

As Chair, Darling will take on a strategic role to oversee CGA’s many legislative, educational, and industry-related programs. CGA is comprised of more than 350 retail companies, operating more than 6,000 stores in the west. The chair serves for one year. Darling succeeds Renee Amen, Controller, Super A Foods. 

“Dennis has been integral to ushering our community of independent operators into the Association,” said CGA President and CEO Ron Fong. “As an independent store owner himself, Dennis has a personal perspective and deep dedication to our industry, making him well-suited to lead our members through the upcoming year.” 

Darling and his wife, Ruth, have owned and operated Foods Etc. in Clearlake and Susanville, California, for 25 years. Along with chairing the CGA Board, Darling is an active member of CGA’s Independent Operators Committee, which supports independent grocers in areas ranging from compliance to labor and employment. 

In addition to Darling, the following individuals were elected to the 2022-2023 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Lynn Melillo, Bristol Farms; Second Vice Chair, Steve Dietz, UNFI; Treasurer, Michel LeClerc, North State Grocery; Secretary, Richard Wardwell, Superior Grocers; and Immediate Past Chair, Renee Amen, Super A Foods. 

Directors elected to their first full three-year team include: Brendan McAbee, Bimbo Bakeries USA; Karl Schroeder, Albertsons Companies; Chris Dehoff, Dehoff’s Key Markets; Donovan Ford, Save Mart Supermarkets; Chang So, Hollister Super; Bertha Luna, Stater Bros. Markets; Adam Salgado, Cardenas Markets; Tim Mahoney, Gelson’s Markets; Brian Pohl, Classic Wines of California; and Tiffany Menyhart, the Kraft Heinz Company. 

Directors elected to their second three-year term include: Sergio Gonzalez, Northgate Markets; Bryan Jankans, Mondelez International, Inc.; Joe Mueller, Kellogg Company; Subriana Pierce, Navigator Sales & Marketing; Jeff Schmiege, Unilever; and Greg Sheldon, Anheuser-Busch InBev. 

Elliott Stone, Mollie Stone’s Markets was appointed Executive Committee-IOC Chair. Former CGA Chair Hee-Sook Alden was elected an honorary board member. 

Join CGA for a day of strategy, analysis, and action at the Association’s in-person Government Relations Day. From local government challenges to state and regulatory concerns, CGA’s in-person GR Day will set the table for the coming year’s political objectives.

GR Day attendees will hear expert takes on California’s political scene today and analyses of legislation impacting our industry. Matt Rodriguez, who specializes in California campaigns, will survey election results. Louie Brown, the Association’s contract lobbyist and longtime Capitol insider, will break down key legislation. Stuart Waldman, President of the Valley Industry Commerce Association, will present his take on recent political maneuvering in the Los Angeles City Council.

GR Day takes place November 10 in Van Nuys at Anheuser-Busch, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reserve your spot today. RSVP here.

How to Communicate in Times of Crisis

As public spaces and essential businesses, grocery stores are increasingly faced with serious public relations challenges — everything from inflation to tragic in-store violence.

At this year’s GR Day, grocers will spring into action during a communications seminar led by media expert Nancy Heffernan from Lucas Public Affairs. After learning the latest political happenings, GR Day participants will explore the new media landscape facing grocers, how to manage media in a crisis, and engage in interactive scenarios and drills. 

Whether you’re a c-suite executive, government relations leader, or communications professional, the Crisis Communications Seminar offers all public affairs stakeholders the chance to brush up on the basics and sharpen the advanced techniques needed for these challenging times.

For questions, contact Leticia Garcia.

From the bottom of our hearts, Team CGA would like to thank you for a memorable CGA Strategic Conference!

Our fully in-person event wrapped up on the last week of September and it was one for the books. Together we explored what retail will look like going forward, and how we can all rise to the occasion. We hope you walked away with a notebook full of ideas and a stack of new business cards.

It was a pleasure to see innovative new brands compete in our Emerging Brands Pitch Contest (shoutout to our first-place winner, Drunk Fruit). Our sold-out exhibit floor was full of many new faces and familiar ones. We sipped through the Tequila Tasting and Guacamole Happy Hour with the Illuminators and practiced our improv skills during the Opening Experience with Galen Emanuele. We tackled familiar supply chain challenges during the General Session with KeHe’s Amy Kirtland, heard a new perspective on resilience with Kevin Carroll, and pondered the retail roadmap with keynotes Carol Spiekerman and Kathy Varol. But most importantly, we connected with all of you, which is what we do best.

Thank you again and we’ll meet you back in Palm Springs in 2023!