ARLINGTON, VA – The National Grocers Association (NGA) today announced that former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), General Michael Hayden, will deliver the opening keynote address, sponsored by The Kraft Heinz Company, during the 2018 NGA Show held February 11 – 14 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As director of the CIA and NSA, General Hayden was on the frontline of the war on terror and saw firsthand the challenges our nation faced during times of geopolitical strife. Hayden is a retired four-star general who was the country’s first principal deputy director of national intelligence and the highest-ranking military intelligence officer in the country.
Additionally, Hayden served as the head of two multi-billion dollar enterprises, and through this experience, he brings an interesting perspective on the challenges of managing complex organizations in times of stress and the need to develop effective internal and external communications.
Hayden is a sought-after speaker for his expertise on intelligence matters, geopolitics, and the ability to give an insider’s glimpse into the political, economic, and security issues facing the nation.
"We’re excited to welcome General Hayden as the keynote speaker for our opening session at The NGA Show and to have him share how issues across the globe have impacted independent grocers and the American economy,” said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of NGA. “With more than 40 years of public service, General Hayden will provide a unique insight on his experience leading the CIA and NSA during some of our country’s largest security threats. I’d like to thank The Kraft Heinz Company for their continued sponsorship of the NGA Show opening keynote."
The Kraft Heinz Company has been a member and supporter of The NGA Show for 30 years.
In addition to revealing the 2018 keynote speaker, NGA also announced that online registration has now opened. The 2018 NGA Show will feature 40 specialty education workshops, over 350 companies on the EXPO Show floor, and anticipates more than 3,500 attendees for the eighth consecutive record-breaking opening.
For over 30 years, The NGA Show has been the place where independents gather, connecting grocery retailers and wholesalers, food manufacturers and service providers from around the world to share innovative solutions and best practices that support and strengthen the independent supermarket channel. Online registration for The NGA Show is now open and can be found at www.theNGAshow.com.
About NGA
The National Grocers Association (NGA) 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. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages, and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.
Source: The National Grocers Association (NGA)
