The American Wholesaler Marketers Association (AWMA) new Foodservice Pavilion being launched at their 2011 Show in February is currently sold out. The Foodservice Pavilion is part of a larger initiative to support this growing and profitable category during AWMA's show to being held Feb. 8 to 10, 2011 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. Foodservice in convenience stores represents more than 15 percent of in-store sales – more than $28B in annual c-store sales in 2009, according to National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) State of the Industry report. AWMA's foodservice initiative will help distributors of all sizes develop a foodservice offer or fine-tune their existing offer. Two in-depth educational programs focused specifically on building distributor knowledge of this complex category combined with the opportunity to meet with leading foodservice companies on the show floor will provide new insights and ideas regardless of level of experience and expertise with this category.
"I would like to encourage all distributors and retailers who are attending to be sure to spend time in the pavilion. The show is a perfect opportunity to meet one-on-one with foodservice companies to discuss new menu ideas, effective merchandising techniques and execution solutions," said Keith Canning, managing partner, Pine State Trading Co., and AWMA's 2011 chairman in a prepared statement. "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 Foodservice Pavilion covers nearly 3,500 square feet of space in a dedicated area in the exhibit hall. Exhibitors as of January 6, 2011:
- ATC Group
- Boyd Coffee Co.
- Brakebush Brothers, Inc.
- BriteVision Media
- Caribbean Crème
- Chester's International
- Chiquita
- Dole Packaged Foods
- Fast Food Systems
- F.A.B. Inc. (Frosty Acres)
- FSI Beverage Systems
- Gehl Foods, Inc.
- GoodWest 2
- Great American Deli
- Hot Stuff Express/Lettieri's
- I.C.E. Inc
- Leramo Coffee Corp
- Hudson Tea Company
- Majestic Fresh Brewed Iced Tea
- LandMark Products
- Michaels Foods, Inc.
- OMNI Food Concepts, Inc. "Next Generation Foodservice"
- Prairie City
- Red River Tea Company
- S&D Coffee
- Selection Unlimited
- Steve's Frozen Chillers
The scope of products, programs and services featured in the pavilion include food solutions for every part of the day – fresh and prepared items, hot and cold dispensed beverages, menu sign systems and equipment. AWMA has allocated more than 10 percent of expo 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.
"I would like to personally thank each foodservice company that is exhibiting with us in the first of what will now become an annual feature area in our Expo" commented Scott Ramminger, AWMA president and CEO. "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."
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.
