Alabama Grocers Association Hosts 32nd Annual Convention
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama Grocers Association recently held their 32nd Annual Convention at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Destin, Florida. The Association brought members from all aspects of the grocery industry together to promote the growth and success of the food industry throughout the State of Alabama.
The Monday Business Forum included Kevin Paul Scott’s seminar, “Looking at Employees Through a New Lens”; National Computer Forensics Institute’s seminar on Cyber Security; Auburn University’s Economic Impact Study Results; and Matt Cate’s seminar, “Rising Healthcare Costs and How to Combat It”.
A silent auction and raffle were held Monday night, which raised more than $20,000 for the Alabama Grocers Education Foundation. This year the Alabama Grocers Education Foundation awarded 39 scholarships valued at more than $38,750 and to date has awarded more than $1.4 million in total scholarships.
The Tuesday Business Forum included an “Overview and Crypto-Currency” seminar from the National Computer Forensics Institute; Dr. Glenn Richey’s “Logistics and the Supply Chain, Where Do We Go from Here?” seminar; and concluded with “Six Decades of Grocery Knowledge” seminar by Jesse Lewis.
Tuesday afternoon included an exhibit hall with more than 50 booths with vendors from all aspects of the grocery industry. On Tuesday night, the Chairman’s Banquet was held with renowned comedian Jimmy Travis as the celebrity entertainment. New Officers and Directors were installed: Jack Carlile of UNFI, VP Convention; Keith Knight of Associated Wholesale Grocers, District 1 Director; Cliff Thomas of Campbell’s Snacks, District 1 Director; Chris Woods of Retail Data Systems, District 1 Director; Manny Shoemaker of Acosta Sales, District 2 Director; Stan Alexander of Associated Grocers of the South, District 3 Director; Mike Hanson of Milo’s Tea, District 3 Director; Greg Rains of Alabama Crown, District 4 Director; David Brownlow of Blue Bell Creameries, District 5 Director.
The awards given on Tuesday night included the National Grocers Association Spirit of America Award given to Wade Payne, Food Giant, Inc. Established in 1982, the NGA Spirit of America Award honors key industry and community leaders in the areas of community service and government relations on behalf of the independent supermarket industry. NGA has proudly presented this award to distinguished individuals who serve the grocery industry and the public interest.
The Spirit of Alabama Award was presented to Bob Crawford, United-Johnson Brothers, for a lifetime of work in the grocery industry, his support of the Alabama Grocers Association and leadership as an advocate for the food industry in the state of Alabama. This award recognizes his active involvement in the Alabama Grocers Association Board of Directors since 2012, his unwavering dedication to AGA and his significant contributions in the legislative arena.
“The AGA Annual Conference brings the best of the grocery industry together each year. Attendees learn important industry topics, visit with state officials, and network to help their businesses operate more efficiently and learn from their counterparts in the grocery community,” said Ellie Taylor, President/CEO, Alabama Grocers Association. “The AGA is truly the voice of the grocery industry in Alabama.”
About the Alabama Grocers Association: The Alabama Grocers Association is a state trade association representing the grocery retail industry since 1990. With more than 135 retail members operating over 850 stores statewide, as well as over 225 manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and other members, the AGA is the voice of the industry in the state of Alabama. The food retail industry in Alabama provides over half a million jobs with over $2.5 billion in annual wages paid. Grocers pay over $1.18 billion in state taxes and have a total economic impact on the state’s economy of over $12.1 billion. For more information, go to www.alabamagrocers.org.
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