NGA Reception to Feature PG Outstanding Independents Award Winners

The National Grocers Association will host the Grocers Awards Reception at the 2009 NGA Annual Convention in Las Vegas early next month. Sponsored by Kellogg Co. and Unilever, the reception features the recipients of the Progressive Grocer Outstanding Independents Awards and the 2009 Creative Choice Awards winners.

In its annual Outstanding Independent Awards, Progressive Grocer recognizes excellence from among the ranks of innovative and successful independent operators, as well as the wholesalers that work with them to maintain independents' key role in food retailing. This year's recipients of the awards are: Outstanding Regional Retailer Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc., Milwaukee; Outstanding Community-Based Retailer Mi Pueblo Foods, San Jose, Calif.; and Outstanding Wholesaler Bozzuto's, Inc., Cheshire, Conn.

NGA's 2009 Creative Choice Awards Contest recognizes the best advertising and merchandising efforts in the grocery industry. As well as selecting winners for each category, the judges also picked six Best of Show finalists for Advertising and Merchandising.

The Best of Show Advertising finalists are member retailers of Associated Food Stores, for "My Western Family"; Haggen, Inc., for "San Juan Vineyards"; Family Fresh Market, for "Family Fresh Market - Grand Opening Campaign"; Trading Company Stores, for "Manshopping Challenge TV Campaign"; Big Y Foods, for "Living Well, Eating Smart Campaign"; and Newport Avenue Market, for "BYOB/Bring Your Own Bag."

The Best of Show Merchandising finalists are Dick's Market, for "Dick's Market World Record Éclair"; Macey's, for "Macey's Bagel Bonanza"; Cub Foods Broadway, for "Peace Jam Youth Project"; Coborn's, for "BLEND"; and Pruett's Food, for "Pruett's Pharmacy Medicare Part D Workshop."

Winners of the Best of Show Award in Advertising and Merchandising will be revealed during the event. Each winner will receive a grand prize travel package, courtesy of Kellogg and Unilever.

The Grocers Awards Reception will take place Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. in the Vendome Ballroom at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. The event is open only to registered attendees of the 2009 N.G.A. Annual Convention and Supermarket Synergy Showcase.

To register for the convention, visit www.nationalgrocers.org. To RSVP to the event, contact Jessica Harper at [email protected] or call (703) 516-0700.