A MOMENT IN TIME
Each CGA Strategic Conference marks a moment in time for California's grocery industry. This year's conference was no different. BY NATE ROSE Director, Digital Communications, California Grocers Association
The CGA Strategic Conference is no easy thing to produce. Each year, hundreds of hours are spent by the Association and member partners, who make up the Strategic Conference Planning Committee, coordinating its details. The process begins with a brainstorming meeting that takes the temperature of the industry. From there, a conference theme is born, sponsors are secured, and business meetings are scheduled.
These details are not shared with the intent of boring you with process details. Instead, the aim is to highlight the fact that each year’s conference marks a particular moment in time for California’s grocery community, and the community at large. This year, the conference committee landed on the theme of “Minding the Gaps.” Whether you’re scanning headlines or just overhearing bits of conversation, it’s clear the grocery industry is in the midst of transition. The entire food distribution system is running fast and recreating their businesses day-by-day.
Like any period of disorder, there are divided opinions, innovative ideas from sometimes unlikely places, and plenty of opportunity in between. Still, there’s no easy way to point out the things we may be missing while mid-stride. “The ‘Minding the Gaps’ theme felt right for this year’s show because it reflects where the industry stands today,” explained the CGA Strategic Conference Planning Committee chair, Phil Miller of C&S Wholesale Grocers. “The legacy grocery playbook is being reinvented on the fly.” CGA President & CEO Ron Fong
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