FMI considering changes to its show
FMI considering changes to its show
CHICAGO -- The Food Marketing Institute is considering a number of changes to its annual supermarket show, which is currently held every year in early May here at McCormick Place -- and which for the last three years has included the annual convention of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association.
FMI announced in a May 6 statement "consideration of the board's Long Range Planning Committee recommendation that the FMI show shift to an alternating format and rotating venues beginning in 2008."
In other words, FMI will consider holding its show every other year and in different cities. It has been held every year in Chicago since the first one in 1977, according to Todd Hultquist, FMI's manager of media relations. The board is scheduled to meet in October to discuss these matters further and consider various options, Mr. Hultquist told The Produce News Wednesday, May 10. And regardless of the final decision, the 2007 show will take place in Chicago as planned.
The FMI show has grown over the years in attendance and scope, but perhaps the most visible change has been that four allied associations now hold their annual conventions simultaneously with FMI in what is known as The Power of Five. Those other events are the United Produce Show & Expo, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Inc.'s Fancy Food Show, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service's U.S. Food Export Showcase, and the Organic Trade Association's All Things Organic Show.
The fact that FMI is considering changes to its longstanding format raises a number of questions which probably will not be answered until the FMI board meets in October. Among those questions are whether FMI would institute the changes under consideration regardless of what the other associations might do, which other cities FMI is considering and whether the two changes would go hand in hand.
Mr. Hultquist would say only that the answers to these and other questions would become clearer after the FMI board meets in October. The FMI statement of May 6 said that "if approved, in 2008 the event would focus on an expanded world-class education forum. The program would be developed with the collaborative planning and participation of FMI members and their trading partners to include well-recognized speakers and education forums on significant issues and trends impacting the future of food distribution."
It added, "In 2009, the event would focus on an extensive exhibit format showcasing traditional and unique products and services. 'Marketechnics' would continue to be an integral part of the exhibit format. Key floor segments would be highlighted in education workshops targeted to new ideas."
United has held its show during FMI for three years, and recently committed to at least two more. And its mid-April announcement that it was joining forces with the International Fresh-cut Produce Association adds another dimension to the entire matter.
Asked on the floor of the United Produce Show to comment on the changes under consideration by FMI, United President Tom Stenzel told The Produce News, "Our three shows have grown tremendously. Attendance is up, and we feel good about the momentum."
Asked whether United would automatically go along with what FMI ultimately decides or whether it might hold its own convention separate from FMI or perhaps hold it in conjunction with the other associations, Mr. Stenzel replied, "We want to explore other options, but at this point, it's too early to know what we might do."
He also acknowledged that with the merger between United and IFPA just being completed, he needs to address the concerns of the members of both groups.
"Clearly our focus is that there's so much changing" in the produce industry, and "our exhibitors want to meet in an aggressive way," he said. "I don't know how you do that every two years."
FMI announced in a May 6 statement "consideration of the board's Long Range Planning Committee recommendation that the FMI show shift to an alternating format and rotating venues beginning in 2008."
In other words, FMI will consider holding its show every other year and in different cities. It has been held every year in Chicago since the first one in 1977, according to Todd Hultquist, FMI's manager of media relations. The board is scheduled to meet in October to discuss these matters further and consider various options, Mr. Hultquist told The Produce News Wednesday, May 10. And regardless of the final decision, the 2007 show will take place in Chicago as planned.
The FMI show has grown over the years in attendance and scope, but perhaps the most visible change has been that four allied associations now hold their annual conventions simultaneously with FMI in what is known as The Power of Five. Those other events are the United Produce Show & Expo, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Inc.'s Fancy Food Show, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service's U.S. Food Export Showcase, and the Organic Trade Association's All Things Organic Show.
The fact that FMI is considering changes to its longstanding format raises a number of questions which probably will not be answered until the FMI board meets in October. Among those questions are whether FMI would institute the changes under consideration regardless of what the other associations might do, which other cities FMI is considering and whether the two changes would go hand in hand.
Mr. Hultquist would say only that the answers to these and other questions would become clearer after the FMI board meets in October. The FMI statement of May 6 said that "if approved, in 2008 the event would focus on an expanded world-class education forum. The program would be developed with the collaborative planning and participation of FMI members and their trading partners to include well-recognized speakers and education forums on significant issues and trends impacting the future of food distribution."
It added, "In 2009, the event would focus on an extensive exhibit format showcasing traditional and unique products and services. 'Marketechnics' would continue to be an integral part of the exhibit format. Key floor segments would be highlighted in education workshops targeted to new ideas."
United has held its show during FMI for three years, and recently committed to at least two more. And its mid-April announcement that it was joining forces with the International Fresh-cut Produce Association adds another dimension to the entire matter.
Asked on the floor of the United Produce Show to comment on the changes under consideration by FMI, United President Tom Stenzel told The Produce News, "Our three shows have grown tremendously. Attendance is up, and we feel good about the momentum."
Asked whether United would automatically go along with what FMI ultimately decides or whether it might hold its own convention separate from FMI or perhaps hold it in conjunction with the other associations, Mr. Stenzel replied, "We want to explore other options, but at this point, it's too early to know what we might do."
He also acknowledged that with the merger between United and IFPA just being completed, he needs to address the concerns of the members of both groups.
"Clearly our focus is that there's so much changing" in the produce industry, and "our exhibitors want to meet in an aggressive way," he said. "I don't know how you do that every two years."
