WGA to Hold 1st-ever Fun Run/Walk
The Women Grocers of America (WGA) will hold its inaugural WGA 5K (3.1-mile) Fun Run/Walk Presented by the Kellogg Company on Feb. 11, 2013, during the 2013 NGA Show, which is scheduled to run Feb. 10-13, 2013, at the Mirage Resort in Las Vegas.
The event will help further WGA’s work to recruit and retain up-and-coming independent grocery and food industry executives, with an emphasis on young women. Funds raised will support educational and professional opportunities for individuals via the organization’s Mary Macey Scholarship.
“The independent grocery community has truly embraced the commitment to developing the next generation of talent for our industry,” noted Denise Beckman, president of WGA, adding that the 5K also promoted healthy activity.
“By sponsoring the event, we’re helping support WGA efforts to usher in the next generation of talent into the independent grocery industry,” said Dave Jones, VP, industry initiatives at Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg.
“We are all committed to the health of the grocery industry by ensuring a constant stream of talented young people who want to make a career in this fascinating and ever-changing business, particularly in the independent retail and wholesale sector,” observed Peter Larkin, president and CEO of Arlington, Va.-based NGA.
Runners and walkers of all levels can participate in the noncompetitive 5K, and will receive a race-day T-shirt and goodie bag, with all finishers receiving an award. Each NGA Show attendee is able to take part by signing up to run the course for $25 per runner, sponsoring other runners, making a donation, or volunteering to help organize the event. Corporate sponsorship, partnership and in-kind donation opportunities are also available.
In addition to its scholarship program, the WGA honors outstanding women in the grocery industry with its Woman of the Year award, presented annually at the NGA Show. WGA membership comprises women affiliated with retail, wholesale, manufacturing/service supplier companies or state/local associations that maintain membership in the NGA.