LAS VEGAS, NV –May 10, 2010 – The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) education and exhibit event this year – FMI 2010 – introduces a sharp and systematic focus on the industry’s top challenges and encourages retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and service providers to develop solutions together using many new program features.

     “FMI 2010 seeks to help unite the industry in pursuing enduring initiatives. The many changes and new additions make the event more interactive and inclusive and will benefit all members of the food and consumer products industry,” said FMI President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie G. Sarasin.

     The new program features include:

Opportunities for Trading Partners to Form Business-Building Strategies

• Idea Exchange Breakfasts – Attendees will discuss best practices, challenges and solutions related to 29 highly focused topics, from brand management, trading partner collaboration and recruitment and retention to customer service strategies.


• Customer Innovation Zones – Executives with leading suppliers will give presentations to retailers and wholesalers on subjects including shopper marketing, food and flavor insights to increase sales, package innovations and helping shoppers choose healthful foods.


• Strategic Collaborative Exchanges – Senior-level executives with retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and service providers will explore business-building opportunities in pre-scheduled meetings in rooms on the exhibit floor.

Innovative Education Program Shows Pathways to Success

• A Six-Track Education Program – Attendees will immerse in important growth areas focusing on leadership development (based on FMI’s Future Connect initiative), consumer trends, sustainability, private brands, technology and health and wellness.


• Audience Participation at FMI’s Speaks General Session – Randomly selected attendees will actively participate by providing their opinion on and reaction to FMI’s new consumer trends research and related commentary by a panel of experts. These attendees will use a special electronic audience reaction device to express their views.

Exhibit Floor Organized for Buyers

• The Exhibit Floor Aligned With the Education Program – Attendees can compare similar products and services at the exhibits in pavilions for Health & Wellness/Natural & Organic, Private Brands, Sustainability and Technology.


• FMI Membership Lounge Open to All Attendees and in Center of Exhibit Floor – The lounge and its amenities are accessible to everyone. As host of this event, FMI welcomes all attendees.

Health and Wellness – A New Conference Launch

• FMI’s Inaugural Supermarket Health & Wellness Conference – Co-located with FMI 2010, this new event features a robust education program and strategic planning meetings between trading partners. Those who register for this event can attend FMI 2010 with no additional fee.


• Assistant White House Chef Sam Kass – The coordinator of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign to end childhood obesity will deliver the closing keynote address at FMI 2010 and participate in FMI’s Health & Wellness Conference.

Also New at FMI 2010

• A Digital App for FMI 2010 – Attendees can download an app to their smart phone to see breaking news, the education program and exhibit floor layout. They can use this feature to schedule meetings with exhibitors, learn about program changes and find events and restaurants in Las Vegas. This feature was developed by FMI and Supermarket News.


• More Food and Donations to Nourish Hungry Americans – When the program ends, the Las Vegas Three Square Food Bank will receive thousands of pounds of food from exhibitors. In addition, Feeding America, the national food back network, will collect thousands of dollars raised in daily auctions of iPods, digital cameras, gift cards and other items by the company Surplus Asset Management Auctions.