2015 Consumer Affairs & Communications Seminar

Seminar Agenda

Monday September 28, 2015

Food Marketing Institute, 2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 800, Arlington VA 22202

Morning Activities

10:30: Breakfast Reception and Kickoff

  • Welcome and introductions from the communications and consumer affairs committee chairs and FMI staff 

11:00: Things Going Bump in Our Night, Part I: Identifying emerging consumer concerns in the health and wellness, nutrition and food safety arenas.

  • Drawing upon the expertise of consumer interest groups such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest and Environment Defense Fund, we will develop a list of hot topics, emerging issues and trending concerns.  This session will focus on health and wellness, nutrition and food safety concerns. 
    • Jessica Almy, Senior Nutrition Policy Counsel, Center for Science in the Public Interest
    • Tom Nelter, Chemical Policy Director, Environment Defense Fund

Afternoon Activities

12:00: Break

12:15: Customer Conversation Exercise / Networking Lunch   

1:30: Bus Departs from FMI Offices

2:30: Private Tour of U.S. Capitol led by FMI Government Relations Experts

Evening Activities

4:00: Grocery Store Tour: O Street Market

6:00: Authentic Italian Experience at the Italian Embassy

  • Visit the Italian Embassy for a reception hosted by Italian Trade Agency. The evening will include an Italian wine and food tasting, networking and a 10 – 15 minute presentation on the Italian Trade Agency “Made in Italy” campaign in October. For background on the campaign that debuted at FMI Connect, visit www.italtrade.com.

 

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Food Marketing Institute, 2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 800, Arlington VA 22202

Morning Activities

8:30:  Breakfast Reception and Day One Recap  

9:00: FMI Update

10:00: Dialog on FMI’s 2015 U.S.Grocery Shopper Trends and U.S. Food Retailing Industry Speaks Analyses

11:15: "Speed Date" the FMI Staff Experts Working For You

  • Two minute presentations from FMI Staff representing all areas of the organization to help you better know the resources and research available for you as members. 

Afternoon Activities

12:00: Lunch-Recap of the National Family Meals Month™ Campaign and 2016 Aspirations 

  • Discussion of the first National Family Meals Month™ and how consumer affairs and communications professionals at food retail can participate in future years.

12:30: Things Going Bump in Our Night, Part II: Identifying emerging consumer concerns in the arena of social responsibility.

  • Through facilitated discussion with consumer advocacy groups such as Natural Resources Defense Council and World Wildlife Fund, we will continue developing our list of hot topics, emerging issues and trending concerns.  This session will focus on social awareness issues, such as animal welfare, sustainability and responsible sourcing. 
    • Erik Olson, Senior Strategic Director of Food & Agriculture, Natural Resources Defense Council
    • Alex Bjork, Director of WWF Sustainable Food Goal Team, World Wildlife Fund
    • Judith Hochhauser Schneider, Private Sector Engagement, World Wildlife Fund

1:30: Customer Conversation Exercise

2:00: Closing Comments and Seminar Suggestions for 2016