Be a Future Leader in the Food Retail Industry

By: Laurie Gethin, Director of Education, Food Marketing Institute 

If you look around the food retail industry today, who do you see as the future leaders of our business? Who will lead your company through the tough competitive times ahead? Perhaps there are rising stars on your team or maybe you see yourself as a future leader. When it comes to professional development, have we got an opportunity—Future Leaders @ Connect.

We recently brought together current food retail leaders who are dedicated to the idea of growing today’s professionals into tomorrow’s industry leaders. This group, comprising the Future Leaders Committee, worked to develop a program that equips the food retail industry’s current and future leaders with powerful education, development and networking opportunities to confidently deliver  company and team success now and in the future.

The group had a tough act to follow, with survey results from the 2015 event showing 96 percent of Future Leaders @ Connect attendees rated the conference as good or very good and the same percentage reported reaching their goals while at the event. To make the Future Leaders program even more effective, here’s what will be offered:

Laser-Focused Workshop Sessions – This year our workshop sessions will help attendees roll up their sleeves. We’ve narrowed the topics to two key areas that are sure to push participants to improve their leadership skills. These key areas are:

• Developing Yourself - With a focus on you, learn tools and techniques to elevate your career and enhance core people skills. Topics include building your personal brand; owning your career; emotional intelligence; and effective communications.
• Leading Others - Hone your people management skills and focus on how to motivate and improve employee performance, including direct and indirect reports, colleagues and teammates. Topics include courageous leadership; building and motivating teams; translating vision into tactical goals; and embracing diversity.

General Sessions With Impact – Our general sessions will focus on topics that attendees face every day and will give the skills to stretch their professional goals higher. General session topics include developing a strong culture, building teams, innovations and more. 

The Total Retail Experience – We’ve timed Future Leaders during FMI Connect so attendees can get the biggest bang for their buck. This year, Future Leaders attendees will have access to all four of the co-located shows (FMI Connect, United Fresh 2016, International Floriculture Expo, and Global Cold Chain Expo) and have up to six hours of time to explore the action. This integration is designed to help our future leaders practice what they are learning, network with the industry, and see the bigger picture at the global food retail experience.

So, if you’re been imagining yourself as a future leader in food retail—or you see the potential for members of your team—wait no longer. Take part in the industry event that is sure to help boost careers and move your company forward—Future Leaders @ Connect.