PFMA Conference Focuses on Family Biz, Tech, Policy

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) Annual Conference, scheduled for Monday, May 8 through Tuesday, May 9 at the Hershey Lodge, in Hershey, Pa., features three concurrent educational tracks designed for independent retailers. The educational tracks on May 9 include three sessions each on the topics Family Business and Entrepreneurship, Legislative Issues and Technology.

“Learn, Lead, Evolve is the perfect theme for our conference this year,” said David McCorkle, PFMA president and CEO. “Retailers have to stay on top of new trends to be effective leaders and evolve their businesses to stay competitive in the marketplace.”

PFMA worked with Saint Joseph’s University (SJU), in Philadelphia, to develop two sessions for Family Business. Mary Nicoletti, director of The Initiative for Family Business at SJU, will present “How to Resolve Family Conflict Quickly to Inspire Commitment and Greater Productivity.”

According to Nicoletti, “By proactively addressing underlying issues in a family-operated business, the business can see its productivity and commitment soar. When you avoid these issues, your business is headed for trouble.”

In addition to assisting attendees with developing an active plan to manage family conflict for the betterment of their business, Nicoletti will lead a panel discussion on succession planning and beyond, which will feature panelists from companies that have already successfully navigated succession with senior-generation, next-generation and nonfamily executives. Panelists include executives from Gerrity’s Supermarkets, McMenamin Family ShopRites and Triangle Refrigeration.

The tax implications of succession planning are the focus of the third session. Howard Dorman, CPA, of New York-based Mazars USA LLP, will offer real solutions and planning strategies to assist retailers in the succession-planning process.

PFMA partners again with SJU for the first technology session. Prof. Ernest Baskin will lead “Big Data for the Little Guys: Understanding Data Analytics for Informed Decision Making,” which examines the ways consumers make decisions on topics such as risk and price perceptions. He will present research into how consumers and managers see the marketplace, and suggest tools for retailers to use to affect consumer perceptions about products.

Developing a mobile strategy should be at the top of retailers’ to-do lists, as more consumers are using their smartphones and tablets to research products before they set foot in a store. Christine Cline, of Retale, a Chicago-based technology company that develops mobile-first shopping experiences, will explain how retailers can successfully pivot their marketing strategies to capitalize on changing media and consumption needs.

Meg Major, chief content editor for Progressive Grocer, will lead the third technology session — a panel discussion focusing on ecommerce, mobile technology and emerging technologies. Panelists Justin Hadwin, Peapod by Giant; Dave Makar, Rosie; and Steve Henig, Wakefern Food Corp., will offer insight on the latest technological innovations affecting the way consumers shop in-store and online.

The legislative track, meanwhile, will assist attendees looking to sell beer and wine in their stores. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 39 into law last fall, allowing retailers with a restaurant liquor license the ability to purchase an expanded permit to sell wine. Attorney R.J. O’Hara, of Pittsburgh-based Flaherty & O’Hara PC, will take retailers through the process of obtaining a license and an expanded permit in his session.

Continuing the topic of wine, Katie Pelowski, of Hopland, Calif.-based Fetzer Vineyards, explains how to market wine, identify consumers and look at generational tastes for wine. In addition, she will provide insight into store clustering in today’s wine environment and critical wine pricing.

Matt Solkowski and Jim Millar, of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, will join attendees for the third session focusing on taxes. They will answer questions on new taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products, and reimbursements for wine taxes. Retailers shouldn't miss this opportunity to get their questions answered.

More information about the complete conference agenda and registration can be found here.