AWMA Show to FeatureNew Foodservice Pavilion
The American Wholesale Marketers Association’s (AWMA) upcoming 2011 show will feature an expanded expo and the addition of a dedicated Foodservice Pavilion highlighting the latest foodservice products, programs and equipment for the convenience retailing industry. The Fairfax, Vir.-based AWMA Show will take place February 8 – 10, 2011 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.
“Foodservice is probably the most important growth category for our retail customers and it is critical that wholesale distributors have access to the right products, food programs and information to bring new ideas and execution solutions that meet the needs of our customers.” said Keith Canning, managing partner, Pine State Trading and AWMA 2011 chairman. “Consumers are looking for fresh, fast, high quality foods and the opportunity for convenience stores to satisfy that demand has never been better. Our goal is to provide wholesale distributors with access to key foodservice suppliers that they can partner with to either help develop a program or improve existing programs,” he added.
The scope of products, programs and services to be featured in the pavilion include fresh and prepared items, hot and cold dispensed beverages, menu sign systems and equipment. AWMA has allocated 10 percent of its trade show to the Foodservice Pavilion—which also includes a lounge area for product tasting and business discussions—with a plan to expand this area each year to accommodate the anticipated growing demand among food companies that want to meet with key decision?makers from national, regional and local wholesale distribution companies.
On average, distributors who attend the Show are purchasing product for more than 2,800 convenience stores with the largest distributors supplying 15,000+ locations.
Foodservice is among the strongest growth categories in convenience retailing— representing more than 15 percent of in?store sales—more than $28B in annual c?store sales in 2009, according to NACS’ State of the Industry report.
“Our members have historically relied on several key categories for the majority of their business, and while those categories continue to play a critical role, as the convenience industry evolves distributors need to be at the forefront with new products, programs and merchandising ideas,” added Scott Ramminger, AWMA President & CEO. “We are thrilled with the response from foodservice companies who will be exhibiting with us and we are focused on making sure that our members bring their key foodservice buyers to the Show this year”.
Beyond this new feature area, more than 200 leading manufacturers will be exhibiting in the Expo. Additionally the agenda includes more than 18 hours of educational sessions with three Super Sessions, concurrent sessions on foodservice, strategic leadership issues and key categories as well as a new track of programs geared specifically for smaller distributors.
More information about the AWMA Show can be found at: www.AWMASHOW.com