Registration Open for Annual Meat Conference
The president and CEO of a respected regional grocery operator; a renowned author and leading animal welfare expert; and a former NFL head coach who led his team to a Super Bowl victory are among the keynote speakers scheduled for the Annual Meat Conference (AMC), which will take place Feb. 20 through Feb. 22, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas. Registration for the event is now open.
Co-sponsored by the American Meat Institute (AMI) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the annual conference typically attracts roughly 800 members of the retail food and meat industries. The conference is considered the leading educational event focusing on retail meat and poultry marketing innovations, merchandising issues and consumer purchasing trends.
Backed by associate sponsors including the American Lamb Board, the Beef Checkoff, the National Chicken Council, the National Pork Board and the National Turkey Federation, the three-day conference will include the following speakers:
Jim Donald, president and CEO of Haggen Inc., who began his career as a trainee with Publix Super Markets Inc. and worked his way through the ranks of Albertsons, Walmart and Safeway. He will discuss his experience at the helm of Starbucks, one of the most successful companies and business models in history, to provide ideas and tips on how to get your employees to act as if they were the owners of their — and your — business.
Temple Grandin, one of the world’s most accomplished and well-known autistic adults, author and leading animal welfare expert, who will talk about her life and her work to improve animal welfare. Her life was the focus of an HBO film that won seven Emmy Awards this year.
Brian Billick, former Baltimore Ravens head coach who led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2000. He is now an analyst for FOX TV Sports and a contributor to the NFL Network. Billick will share his methods for bringing teams together to focus on achieving common goals and a “we” environment.
Scheduled workshop topics include the economy and its industry impact, ensuring food safety, translating trends into sales, the power of social media, busting myths about modern meat production, meat case dynamics, developing a strategic vision, health and wellness in the meat department; and sustainability.
Additionally, an in-depth look at the meat case through the shoppers’ eyes will be presented during the annual Power of Meat session.
The 2011 conference will also feature the popular Product Tasting Reception on Feb. 21. Nearly 50 meat and poultry companies are expected to showcase new products and brand line extensions to retail buyers. Among the other conference highlights is the Technology Fair on Feb. 21, beginning at 11 a.m. At this expanded networking session, suppliers to the meat, poultry and retail supermarket industries will display new technology ranging from irradiation systems to labeling machinery to in-store processing and packaging equipment. Following the exhibit will be a luncheon.
Discount registration prices are available through Jan. 7 at $595 per person, or $545 for three or more members of the sponsoring associations. After Jan. 7, registration is $695 per person, or $645 for three or more members registering together. A special offer is also available for FMI retailer and wholesaler members: Purchase two registrations and get one free. The nonmember registration rate is $1,290 per person.
To view the complete conference program and register online, visit www.MeatConference.com.