Food Industry Professional Development Programs and Events from FMI
A career in the food industry has nuances to it that make customized professional development especially important. FMI offers a portfolio of annual events and training programs tailored specifically for food retail professionals, designed to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.
By: Carol Abel, Vice President, Education & Events, FMI
The food industry is a unique business with specialized consumer needs, regulations to follow and emerging business opportunities all operating on narrow profit margins. As a professional in the food industry, we know your needs are 
distinctive, and no general conference will suffice. That’s why FMI’s portfolio of annual education offerings is custom-designed for food industry professionals. What’s more, we often utilize food industry professionals to develop our agenda and key education points, so the program is designed by the food industry, for the food industry.
As you seek professional development, we urge you to consider our options, outlined below. In addition to strong educational programming, all FMI events include networking opportunities designed to strengthen professional connections within the food industry.
Annual Meat Conference
Meat Retail and Processing Education
Hosted by FMI and the Meat Institute, the Annual Meat Conference is the premier industry event for meat retail, with more than 2,500 attendees from all facets of the meat industry.
Asset Protection and Grocery Resilience Conference
Food Retail Risk Management
An opportunity for food industry loss prevention, risk management, workplace safety and crisis management professionals to network and collaborate on all aspects of protecting people, reputation and property.
Energy & Store Development Conference
Food Retail Sustainability and Design
The event focuses on food retail energy, refrigeration, sustainability and store development. Learn from the best in the industry about new refrigeration technologies, expanded energy resources and innovative store designs.
Financial Executive and Internal Auditing Conference
Food Retail Finance Leadership
The only event for financial and auditing leaders in food retail, with attendees including CFO's, Vice Presidents of Finance, Controllers, Treasurers, Accounting Directors, and Financial Management Executives.
FreshForward
The Future of Fresh Foods in Food Retail
An exclusive event that brings together executives in the food retail and wholesale industry with their supplier and service provider partners to explore the future of fresh foods at retail.
Future Leaders eXperience
Food Industry Leadership Training
The food industry’s premier virtual training program for retailers, wholesalers and suppliers. Future Leaders delivers an ideal, interactive learning experience, offering your rising stars easy-to-implement tools that will change the way they see themselves, lead their teams and impact your business results.
GroceryLab
Food Industry Innovation and Execution Forum
A co-creation forum for food industry merchants, marketers, operators, and technologists. It is where bold ideas meet real execution.
Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Conference
Food Retail Legal and Regulatory Issues
The only industry conference specifically tailored to legal, regulatory and compliance issues affecting the food retail and wholesale industry. Continuing legal education (CLE) credits are available for attending.
Supply Chain Forum
Food Retail Supply Chain Management
Where food industry supply chain professionals connect over key challenges and changes in the food retail supply chain.
SQF Unites
Global Food Safety and Quality Standards
Where a dynamic community of food producers, retailers and service innovators meet to push the boundaries of productivity and profitability together. Attendees gain insights into the realm of food safety now and into the future.
We continuously update our FMI Conference webpage with dates, locations and details about our events portfolio, so be sure to check back often
Industry Topics address your specific area of expertise with resources, reports, events and more.
Our Research covers consumer behavior and retail operation benchmarks so you can make informed business decisions.
Events and Education including online and in-person help you advance your food retail career.
Food Safety training, resources and guidance that help you create a company food safety culture.
Government Affairs work — federal and state — on the latest food industry policy, regulatory and legislative issues.
Get Involved. From industry awards to newsletters and committees, these resources help you take advantage of your membership.
Best practices, guidance documents, infographics, signage and more for the food industry on the COVID-19 pandemic.
