2009 AWMA Summit Tuesday Education Sessions

AWMA Summit participants listen to one of several educational sessions yesterday at the Ritz-Carlton-Buckhead, Atlanta.

2009 Summit & Business Exchange Tuesday Evening Reception

The Tuesday night reception was a mixture of Summit attendees and those getting ready for the ABX on Wednesday. 
 

2009 Summit Jon Burklund & Sherwin Herring

Incoming 2010 AWMA Chairman Jon Burklund, Burklund Distributors, Inc., (left) received an honorary green Chairman’s jacket from current Chairman Sherwin Herring, Southco Distributing Company, at yesterday’s lunch session.
 

Distributors from across the nation were welcomed to the 2009 AWMA Summit yesterday in Atlanta, GA, by AWMA Chairman Sherwin Herring, CEO, Southco Distributing Co., who outlined the many achievements of the association over the past year and encouraged members to support the organization’s efforts in the year ahead.

“We have had quite a full plate this year – with more to come,” Herring said, as he thanked members for participating in AWMA. “Your involvement benefits the industry, and that benefits you.”

Highlights discussed by the AWMA chairman included:

•    Increased participation in the AWMA EXPO, by retention of Jane Berzan, who formerly ran the NACS show, to develop ways to make further improvements and maintain the EXPO’s viability.
•    Creation of a new AWMA Customer Profitability Analysis tool, developed by consultant Al Bates of the Profit Planning Group, which provides distributors with a new, simpler way to analyze the profitability of individual customers. The tool is provided to members at no additional charge.
•    Launching of the AWMA InfoMetrics program, for which 40 distributors have signed up so far, with a goal of 100 by the end of the year. He encouraged all distributors to participate and asked manufacturers to check out the program.
•    An aggressive government affairs initiative that focused on the FET increase, Floor Stock Tax, Card Check legislation, and FDA regulation of tobacco among other issues. Herring encouraged attendees to support the Silent Auction, which helps to fund AWMA government affairs activities.
•    Completion of a joint study on candy profitability with NACS and the National Confectioners Association, designed to help trading partners increase sales and profits from candy.
•    Plans for the third Executive Management Program at The Wharton School of Business.
•    Increasing emphasis on foodservice with participation in the Foodservice at Retail Conference and Expo and possible partnership with DOT Foods on a foodservice meeting.
•    Modification and updating the STEPS program, with additional educational content planned for The AWMA Show.
•    Improvements in AWMA’s communications programs, including the website and Distribution Channels.