2010 AWMA Show Schedule

Advanced Registration Deadline is February 5, 2010 for Super Saver Pricing!

The cut off date for the group hotel rates is February 22, 2010.

Available for Affiliate Groups to hold meetings.

Sponsored by Swisher International, Inc.

Sponsored by The Hershey Company

8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

- Welcome Address: Jon Burklund, 2010 AWMA Chairman

Please join Jon Burklund as he welcomes AWMA attendees and exhibitors to the refreshed and re-energized 2010 Show. In his welcome address, Jon will provide a brief overview of this year’s show, highlighting the significantly expanded educational program and broadened focus of products and services in the exhibit hall.

- Retail Trends & Consumer Shopping Habits
Keynote Speaker: Phil Lempert—the Supermarket Guru

Phil Lempert, expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends, and the changing retail landscape, will kick off the AWMA Show as keynote speaker during the Opening Super Session on Wednesday, March 10. Known as the Supermarket Guru, Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts consumers and business leaders to
impending corporate and consumer trends and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions.

As one of America’s leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, Lempert is recognized on television, radio and in print. He is the food trends editor and correspondent for NBC News’ Today Show, he makes monthly appearances on ABC’s The View and has appeared numerous times on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC and other news programs throughout the country.

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

- Candy & Snacks: Best Retail Practices & Supply Chain Solutions

In 2009 AWMA—in conjunction with the National Confectioners Association and the NationalAssociation of Convenience Stores—completed a landmark study on improving candy profitabilityin the convenience channel. The study pointed up some simple steps that, if implementedthroughout the channel, hold significant promise of boosting profits in this important category formanufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Come hear about these efforts and find out what you can do to improve your own candy profitability and help your retail customers do the same.

- Customer Profitability—What’s the True “Cost” of a Customer?
Speaker: Al Bates, President, Profit Planning Group

A key factor impacting profitability for AWMA members is that pricing for different customers is not adequately tied to the cost of serving those customers. Most analyses suggest that between 10% and 30% of customers are unprofitable and that the losses on these customers can range as high as 50% of distributor profits. Join Al Bates as he focuses on how information from the AWMA Customer Profitability Analysis system can be used to help help drive higher profits by relating pricing to the actual costs on a customer by customer basis.

EXPO Open - Lunch served in the AWMA Café.

Lunch Sponsored by BIC Consumer Products

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

- How to Market & Sell Tobacco Post - FDA

    - Sponsored by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Moderator: Scott Ramminger, President & CEO, AWMA
Panelists: To be announced

The industry saw a huge sea change in 2009 with the passage of legislation granting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products. As FDA has begun to flex its regulatory muscles over tobacco, it is clear that the rules of the game have changed significantly. Come find out the latest information at this sure-to-be lively wake-up session.

- When Did Customer Service Die—Does Anyone Remember the Funeral?
Speaker: Scott Deming, Marketing & Branding Expert

What do people think of when they see or hear your name? In other words—How powerful is your brand? This is the question Scott Deming asks his audience. Then, based on thirty years of real, in the trenches, corporate life, he’ll show you how to create the most loyal customers and the most powerful brand in the industry. Don’t miss this fast-paced, humorous, high energy journey through the six critical steps to creating the ultimate customer experience
and building a powerful, emotional brand. Join Deming as he shows you how to turn every customer into a loyal evangelist for life!

9:45 - 11:00 a.m.

Sponsored by Altria Sales & Distribution

- A Conversation with Three Leading Convenience Retailers
Moderator:  Mitch Morrison, Group Editor, CSP Information Group

"Retailer Perspectives on 2010 and Beyond", moderated by Mitch Morrison, Group Editor, CSP Information Group, puts the spotlight on three retailers, representing three different regions of the country and three very different operations.  They will share their views on the unique opportunities in convenience retailing and what they think the future holds for their businesses.  Be sure to add this session to your schedule which promises to deliver thought-provoking ideas and solutions to bring back to your company and to your customers.

Panelists:

Jim Fiene, Chief Operating Officer, Open Pantry Food Markets of Wisconsin

• Open Pantry operates 26 stores in Wisconsin

Charlene Kovacsik, Marketing Director, Pacific Convenience * Fuel

• Pacific Convenience operates 578 stores in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas

Jeff Turpin, Chairman & CEO, Worsley Operating Corporation

• 200 + stores in North and South Carolina under the names Scotchman’s, SE Food Marts, L’il Cricket Convenience & Young’s Food Stores

You won't want to miss this final session of the 2010 Show to be held on Thursday, March 11 at 9:45 a.m.