Just a few weeks ahead of the March 3-6 American Frozen Food Institute Convention (AFFI-CON) at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor announced that the trade association would soon co-locate its headquarters with the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in Arlington, Virginia. FMI serves as the voice of the retail and wholesale supermarket industry, a key customer group for AFFI members.
“AFFI’s offices will be relocated closer to Washington, DC, to enhance our ability to advocate for frozen,” said Bodor. “AFFI and FMI are eager to explore additional operational efficiencies and ways to enhance member value from both organizations vested in the success of frozen foods and beverages.”
Leslie Sarasin“Just as frozen foods bring diverse strengths and appeal to customers of retail stores across the nation, we look forward to exploring the infinite synergies that undoubtedly will emerge from having AFFI and FMI share office space, bringing greater efficiency and deeper levels of service to our respective members,” said FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin, who just happens to be a former head of the McLean, Virginia-based American Frozen Food Institute.
Meanwhile, AFFI and FMI will also join forces during AFFI-CON on March 5 at in Las Vegas when Sarasin delivers the Industry Spotlight address, entitled “The State of Food Retail and What it Means for Frozen,” from 7:15-8:45 AM in The Cosmopolitan’s Belmont Ballroom.
Ten years ago, Sarasin concluded a 19-year run with the American Frozen Food Institute to assume the FMI’s helm. Now, a decade removed from AFFI’s leadership role and deeply embedded in the top-tier of one of the frozen food industry’s most important customer groups, she will bring an a great depth of knowledge to the gathering in Las Vegas. Perhaps no one is better versed than Sarasin to offer unique insights while talking about the current environment for frozen food products and how to work with retailers to solve problems for them and their customers.
Other Speakers at AFFI-CON
A number of business meetings will follow Sarasin’s address before Dr. Timothy Freier’s “Big Data and Analytics Come to Frozen Manufacturing” presentation begins at 4:30 PM. The vice president of scientific affairs and microbiology at Mérieux NutriSciences has over 25 years of experience working in various food safety and quality-related positions in food facilities and microbiology laboratories.
On Sunday, March 4, consultant and author Larry Robertson will kick off the Morning Buzz Educational Session at 7:15 AM with a presentation entitled “From Unpredictable to Possible: Competing in a World of Constant Change.”
Gregory HobbyIn the afternoon, from 4:30-5:30 PM, Gregory Hobby, vice president for sales and emerging brands at SPINS, will have the microphone. His topic, “The Modern Frozen Consumer by the Numbers,” will focus on data that helps players in the industry make wise choices about innovation, new products and sales and marketing programs.
A number of social events are also on the busy AFFI-CON agenda, including receptions, happy hours and a golf outing. For more details as well as registration information, visit www.afficon.affi.org.
