Snack World - August 2014 - (Page 20)

ELF PREVIEW TAGLINE Building a Stronger Leadership ELF will take place at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club at Cape Cod, MA. A new ELF program features insights from the nation's leading retailers and strategic thinkers. BY BOB GATTY T he Snack Food Association's Executive Leadership Forum (ELF), slated for Sept. 21-23 at Cape Cod, MA, has been revamped to incorporate an increased focus on the snack food industry - all part of SFA's effort to provide the most relevant value possible to its members. ELF will take place at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 90 miles east of Boston. The forum's educational program will kick off Monday, Sept. 22, with the Snack Food Association (SFA) State of the Industry report by SFA President and CEO Tom Dempsey. Then an expert panel of supermarket industry and convenience retailers will discuss the direction of their businesses and how the snack category plays into those plans heading into the future. "As a former industry executive, I always wanted to understand our retailer partners and their business marketing plans in order to be a better vendor," Mr. Dempsey said. "Over the past year, I've heard the same from many of our SFA business members, so ELF seemed to present the best forum for that opportunity. We are extremely fortunate to have a panel of well-respected industry leaders and a morning session moderated by an industry journalist so in tune with the food business." Moderated by Jeff Metzger, publisher of Food Trade News and Food World, the panel will include: Carl Schlicker - retired COO, Ahold USA - Mr. Schlicker was responsible for Stop&Shop, Giant 20 Snack World August 2014 www.sfa.org Washington, Giant Carlisle, Ukrops and Martin's banners with more than 750 stores in 13 states with sales of $25.8 billion. Kurt Schertle - COO, Weis Markets - Mr. Schertle has more than 30 years of grocery background serving with Shoppers, Super Value and now Weis. Weis has more than 160 stores in the mid-Atlantic market with sales upward of $2.7 billion. Anthony T. Hucker - executive vice-president and chief strategy officer, Schnucks Markets - Mr. Hucker has been a food executive in multiple countries and a former executive with Ahold both in the US and in Europe. He has experience with a multi-banner operation and now with a familyowned regional banner. St. Louis-based Schnucks has more than 100 stores in five states and sales of $2.5 billion. Louie Sheetz - retired vice-president of sales & marketing, Sheetz - Mr. Sheetz spent 36 years in the family business, pioneering the concept and trademark of MTO. He was responsible for all corporate marketing strategy, consumer intelligence and research. He also played a major role in the evolution of the Sheetz mission of Total Customer Focus and creation of the retailer's unique following of fans. Sheetz has 475 locations across six states with sales of $5.23 billion. TACKLING CRITICAL ISSUES The program also will feature Roxi Beck, strategic director with the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), who will discuss consumer perceptions of the

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - August 2014

Snack World - August 2014
Table of Contents
Letter from SFA - Reach Out to Your Rep
News - NPD gives latest gluten-free insights
Mintel predicts the hot ingredient trends
SFA offers salary and benefits survey
Supplier Insight - Change is Inevitable
Government Affairs - Key Nutrition Issues in Washington
Education - Education with Top Value ROI
ELF Preview - Building a Stronger Leadership
Business Member Profile - Evolution of Success
Associate Member Profile - Keeping Pace with a Changing Industry
Private Label - Beyond the Brands
Stepping up store brand sales
Products & Services
Ad Index

Snack World - August 2014