SNAC World - Official State of the Industry 2020 - 9

NEW CHAIRMAN PROFILE

SNAC is a natural one-stop shop for education,
networking resources, regulatory advocacy, and
crisis management planning and implementation
guidance."
These goals are challenging while large
gatherings are on hold, but Mr. Sarlls closely
collaborates SNAC President Elizabeth Avery and
her team, as well as the executive committee,
to develop creative solutions for education and
networking through different digital platforms.
"It's sparked a lot of creative thinking on how to
operate under unusual circumstances," Mr. Sarlls
said. "How do you do education and networking
when you can't be physically next to each other?
The team's working hard, and the spirit and
enthusiasm are high."
SNAC has already launched a series of webinars
to offer insight from a variety of subject matter
experts. For its virtual Legislative Summit, SNAC
members had a chance to interact directly with
policymakers right in their homes to discuss
key issues impacting the industry. And work is
underway for the launch of the SNX conference
- the result of the result of a vision shared by
SNAC leadership and Mr. Sarlls of an innovative
educational platform - tentatively scheduled
for March 2022 in Phoenix in conjunction with
SNAXPO. The new concept, which will alternate
years with the traditional SNAXPO equipment
show, will focus on vital educational matters
and ways snack producers and suppliers can
collaborate to build long-term value.
COVID-19 has undoubtedly turned the snack
market on its head, as evidenced in this year's
State of the Industry report. It's also disrupted how
associations like SNAC function, so there's no better
time to have a master of reinvention at the helm.
"Rob's leadership has been instrumental in
guiding the association through the pandemic," said
Elizabeth Avery, SNAC International president and
chief executive officer. "The bans against gathering
have forced SNAC to rethink how it delivers
value to members, and with Rob's help, we are
developing new ways to deliver on our three pillars
of Education, Advocacy and Networking."
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, there's no
longer such thing as the status quo; everything
changes too fast. But in the face of adversity, Mr.
Sarlls sees an opportunity - for everyone.
"I'm an absolute firm believer that, in a perfect
world, every person, every family, every company,

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

"I get the greatest joy
from taking something
that's really good
and making it great
and working with
phenomenal teams of
people who share that
same passion."
Rob Sarlls, Wyandot Snacks and
SNAC International Chairman

every society wakes up in the morning and
gets a clean sheet of paper to ask, 'What am I
doing today that is relevant for today?' " he said.
"Businesses, individuals and organizations
best thrive when they have that mindset.
Then they're able to meet - and even
anticipate - the changes that happen
in the industry, their community, the
country and the world."
Much has changed in the industry
since early March. But Mr. Sarlls stands
firmly on a platform of innovation.
"I bring a passion for that sort of
thinking so that organizations and
passionate individuals are channeling their
efforts as smartly as possible," he said. "I get the
greatest joy from taking something that's really good
and making it great and working with phenomenal
teams of people who share that same passion."
Mr. Sarlls sees the pandemic as an opportunity to
evaluate opportunities for reinvention in the industry
as well as the association and its members.
"I have ambitious targets for new membership,
increased support of our advocacy efforts through
the PAC and an increased environment that is
highly supportive of better-for-you innovation and
emerging brands," he said. "That's not going away.
I fully intend to work with the team to keep pushing
forward. That's what I live for, getting in front of
people, getting them excited about what we do and
getting them to be a part of it."

Rob Sarlls

2020 SNAC WORLD

9
SNAC World - Official State of the Industry 2020

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