LAS VEGAS, NV – The National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) has concluded its 2012 N.G.A. Show in Las Vegas, reaching important milestones and fulfilling its promise as the place to be "Where Independents Gather" to discuss Real Issues with Real Grocers and forge Real Solutions.
The annual four-day event was the largest in the trade association's history, with more than 2,400 independent grocers, wholesaler and industry partners attending. The N.G.A. Show featured nearly 35,000 square feet of exhibit floor space, a 25 percent increase. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the EXPO, a 10 percent increase from the previous year.
The N.G.A. Show also expanded industry partnerships and opportunities for independent grocers to increase collaboration. For the first-time ever, N.G.A. co-located the show with IGA's Global Rally, created a produce pavilion with the Produce Marketing Association and created a Center for Collaboration with the Grocery Manufacturers of America. These additions, among other N.G.A. Show features were designed to bring greater value to N.G.A. members and attendees.
"Our goal for this year's show was to strengthen the value proposition for attendees by expanding the trade show and increasing opportunities for more industry collaboration," said Peter Larkin, President and CEO of the N.G.A. "As a result we experienced record attendance and increased participation, which could not have happened without the support of our sponsors, partners and independent grocers who gave their time and resources to make this show a success."
2012 Woman of the Year Named
The 2012 Show concluded by awarding two industry honors. The Women Grocers of America (WGA) named Barbara Thomas, Director of Training of K-VAT Food Stores, Inc./Food City of Grundy, VA, as the 2012 Woman of the Year. The WGA Woman of the Year award recognizes an industry woman whose leadership has contributed to the success of her company. The awardee must be a member of the National Grocers Association and other industry organizations whose participation and involvement contributes to the overall well being of the grocery industry, involved in the community and civic affairs.
Thomas has been affiliated with the Food City franchise since 1974, when she became a part-time cashier while attending Grundy High School. Company founder, Jack Smith, hand-selected Thomas to head up the company training program in 1979, and the rest, as they say, is history.
"Barbara is first and foremost a mentor, not only for her company, but in the community where she works and lives," said Larkin. "She is an innovator in advancing strong training programs to increase customer service and satisfaction, while also been a life-long leader in her community."
Case Competition Winner Announced
Also announced at the conclusion of the N.G.A. Show was the winner of the annual Food Industry University Coalition Student Case Competition hosted by the Asparagus Club. Louisiana State University (LSU) won first place, winning $8,000 in cash and scholarship prizes. Arizona State University (ASU) came in second place, winning $1,000. Seven universities competed in the competition, which provides students attending the N.G.A. Show the opportunity to analyze a real world contemporary retail business challenge. Working in teams, students worked collaboratively to examine, present and then respond to questions posed by a panel of judges. This year's topic was "How can independent retailers, wholesalers and co-ops implement mobile coupons to drive sales and profits?"
Additional highlights at this year's show included the launch of a new user-friendly, technologically advanced N.G.A. website (www.nationalgrocers.org); a moving opening session speech by former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates; Idea Exchange Sessions; Business-to-Business sessions; and educational forums on key industry topics. N.G.A. also honored several industry veterans and announced winners of the Best Bagger and Creative Choice Best in Show. Singer LeAnn Rimes was the N.G.A. Show's headline entertainment at the Chairman's Gala on February 14th. N.G.A. announced that The 2013 N.G.A. Show will return to the Mirage in Las Vegas, scheduled for February 9-13, 2013.
About National Grocers Association: N.G.A. is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Some are publicly traded but with controlling shares held by the family and others are employee owned. Independents are the true "entrepreneurs" of the grocery industry and dedicated to their customers, associates, and communities. N.G.A. members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about N.G.A. and the independent sector of the industry, see the N.G.A. website: www.nationalgrocers.org
Source: National Grocers Association
