WASHINGTON, DC — July 1, 2004 — Critical business issues such as diversity management, leadership development and workforce skills enhancement will share the spotlight during hands-on sessions at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) 2004 Human Resources/Training & Development Conference, September 19-22, in New Orleans, LA.

Designed for human resources and training professionals, field trainers, and individual and small chain store owners, conference programming will be presented in a variety of educational settings:

• General Sessions on big picture issues affecting the industry, including generational issues in the workplace, talent management and business ethics.
• Concurrent Seminars on ongoing challenges such as diversity, labor relations, human resources information systems, on-the-job training, controlling benefit costs and using trainers as internal consultants.
• Interactive Clinics on topics such as unemployment compensation, engaging employees, emotional IQ, non traditional training and the Fair Labor Standards Act’s new overtime rules.
• Facilitated Forums over breakfast for peer-to-peer discussions on outsourcing, coaching, creative compensation/rewards, self-directed learning, management training, employee loyalty and other topics.

In addition to educational programming, the conference will feature a sponsor showcase, where attendees can meet with suppliers whose products and services have industry-specific applications, and social events including an opening dinner with a motivational speaker and an off-site evening event.

“Year after year, this conference has proven to be essential for human resource professionals in our industry,” said Committee Chair Larry Mulrey, director of human resources for Foodmaster Supermarkets, Inc., Chelsea, MA. “The peer-to-peer networking opportunities, coupled with the comprehensive education program, provide invaluable insight and inventive solutions to modern-day challenges that human resource and training executives face on a daily basis.”

Conference sponsors include Achieve Global, Generative Learning Systems, Inc., Jon Jay Associates, Inc., Personal Communications, Inc., Reflection Software, Unicru and Work/Life Innovations, LLC.

3rd Annual Maximizing People Potential Award

FMI will present the Third Annual Maximizing People Potential (“MAXX”) Award at the conference. The award recognizes a retail or wholesale company for developing a human resources or training initiative that significantly improves the performance of associates or leads to the achievement of a key business goal. Three finalists will present their programs to attendees, who will serve as a jury of peers and vote for the most exceptional program. The winning company will be announced during an awards banquet held on the final night of the conference.

For more information on FMI’s 2004 Human Resources/Training & Development Conference, please email hrtd@fmi.org or visit http://www.fmi.org/events/.