Snac World - May 2017 - 6

LETTER FROM SNAC INTERNATIONAL

MANN
AVERY

Commitment to
the Future
B

y the time you receive this issue of SNAC World, both SNAXPO 2017 and our inaugural Excellence in Sales & Marketing Seminar at St. Joseph's University will be in the rearview mirror, and we will be moving quickly toward our
annual Legislative Summit in Washington, DC.
As I reflect on my first months at SNAC, my belief in the importance of the association's commitment to education
grows ever stronger. SNAC Chairman Dan Sifer noted in his profile on Page 54 that his company, Herr Foods, Nottingham, PA, is a learning organization. It is SNAC's aim to serve as a critical partner helping to enable that mission for Herr
Foods and all our members. With the rate of change facing consumer packaged goods companies of all sizes, SNAC
is uniquely positioned for one-stop shopping on topics as diverse as consumer trends, regulatory developments and
product safety. This issue of SNAC World - our most popular of the year - advances that with an in-depth State of
the Industry report. Throughout the year, with the help of our associate members, we spotlight innovative developments on everything from ingredients and flavors to processing, packaging, sanitation and logistics.
As I walked the SNAXPO exhibit hall and met informally with speakers and vendors, I was struck by the depth and
breadth of information available. Truly, one can think of it as a master class for snack makers and marketers.
Underscoring SNAC's commitment to education is the decision by the Board of Directors to underwrite the cost of
seminars and conferences for member companies. This includes our world-class professional development programs
including the upcoming Legislative Summit, the Emerging Leaders Program at Georgetown University and the Excellence in Sales and Marketing Seminar as well as topical webinars. We are keenly aware of budget pressures facing our
members and look forward to working with you to make sure registration information about these free resources is
reaching all those who might be interested.
With an eye toward June, know that SNAC has arranged for an extraordinary array of speakers to participate in the
Legislative Summit. Silver level supporters of SnackPAC, our political action committee, will be treated to dinner with
Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. With the Farm Bill and SNAP program on
deck to be reauthorized, participants will learn the very latest from the congressman leading the process. The next
morning, SNAC is honored to host keynote speaker Ray Starling, special assistant to the president for agriculture, trade
and food assistance. President Donald Trump created this position within the National Economic Council to ensure
laser-like focus on regulatory reform for our sector of the economy.
Please join us at each of these events in 2017.
Elizabeth Avery
President
SNAC International

SNAC World

May 2017 www.snacintl.org

http://www.snacintl.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snac World - May 2017