FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]
California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
SACRAMENTO, CA – (April 28, 2009) – The Western Food Industry Exposition (WFIE) Presented by California Grocers Association has a new name, but the convention’s successful meeting format remains the same.
WFIE is now the CGA Strategic Conference.
“The Association’s Convention Committee determined it was time for the convention’s name to better reflect who it was representing,” said Committee Chair George Frahm, Stater Bros. Markets. “The convention draws attendees nationwide, but the lion’s share are from California.”
While the conference’s new name better reflects the focus of the two-day event, the highly popular convention, anchored by its commitment to face-to-face pre-scheduled meetings remains the same. CGA’s annual convention has been a part of the Association for 110 years. In 1998, with many state associations eliminating their conventions, CGA realized an opportunity to expand its convention into a regional exposition.
“At the time, it was the right move,” said CGA Senior Vice President Jill Rulon. “CGA was the only association in the 11 Western states with a trade show. After meeting with neighboring association representatives and receiving commitments to participate in the annual event, the show name was changed to Western Food Industry Exposition and we became a regional convention.”
While successful at first, the convention remained primarily a California Grocers Association event. “Like our industry, CGA’s convention has adapted to changing times,” Frahm said. “Several years ago, the Expo moved away from its traditional trade show format and focused on face-to-face pre-scheduled meetings. It has been a huge success. It truly is a strategic conference.”
This year’s CGA Strategic Conference is November 1-3, 2009, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Frahm said this year’s theme “Where Business Gets Done” accurately captures the essence of the two-day conference.
“The CGA Strategic Conference is very unique and those companies that come prepared do get business done,” Frahm said. “CGA has created the vehicle to make it happen. It’s up to the attendees to take advantage.”
The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers