FMItech @ Midwinter

FMItech is the technology program at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference, held January 20 to 23, 2027, at Gaylord Pacific in Chula Vista, California. It brings together hands-on technology demonstrations, pre-scheduled B2B meetings, a pitch competition for emerging companies, and technology education for leaders across food retail, wholesale, and product suppliers. 

See technology in action, connect through pre-scheduled B2B meetings, hear from industry leaders working through today’s technology decisions, and meet the emerging companies building for the food industry. 

Midwinter_2027_Website_Corner_50th_Logo
FMItech stage

What Happens at FMItech 

The FMItech Hub is the technology home base at Midwinter, bringing live demonstrations, B2B meetings, education, emerging technology companies, and industry leaders together across three days of the conference. 

FMItech Pitch Competition 

The FMItech Pitch Competition connects emerging technology companies with leaders across food retail, wholesale, and product suppliers. 
Six companies are selected for the FMItech Pitch Class of 2027, and three finalists advance to pitch live at Midwinter, where attendees vote to select the winner. 

Applications for the 2027 competition are now closed. 

Explore the FMItech Pitch Competition

Technology Education

FMItech technology sessions feature practitioners, technology leaders, and subject matter experts working through the issues shaping technology across the food industry. 

Sessions focus on what companies are implementing now, what they are learning along the way, and where technology decisions are getting more complicated. 

FMItech Events

FMItech panel talking
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Midwinter 26 FMItech Pitch Midwinter 2024 FMItech Discussion Guests discussing business at the FMItech Lounge in 2023

Three Ways to Meet at Midwinter

Technology companies and food industry leaders have three ways to meet and connect at Midwinter:

  • FMItech Exchanges
  • FMItech Pop-ups
  • Strategic Executive Exchange program

Each offers a different format, from pre-scheduled meetings to small-format demonstration and meeting spaces to private executive suites. Companies may participate in more than one program based on how they want to engage at Midwinter.  

What Are FMItech Exchanges? 

FMItech Exchanges are 20-minute, pre-scheduled meetings held in the FMItech Hub, providing an efficient way to meet multiple prospective partners across the conference. FMI provides a tool to facilitate the scheduling process. Companies are responsible for securing their own appointments and setting agendas. Confirmed appointments are not guaranteed.

Exchange Registration



Technology Service Providers

Service providers must go through a selection and approval process by the Technology Executive Committee, prior to taking part in the program. We recommend registering your interest early!

>> Technology Service Provider RSVP <<

Retailers, Wholesalers and Product Suppliers

Participation comes at no additional charge. We recommend registering your intentions early to give your teams the best advantage with scheduling.

>> RETAILER, WHOLESALER, PRODUCT SUPPLIER RSVP <<

Strategic Executive Exchange 

The Strategic Executive Exchange (SEE) is Midwinter’s invite-only private suite program, giving participating companies dedicated space for pre-scheduled, longer-form meetings throughout the conference. 

The suite format provides privacy and dedicated space for executive conversations, strategic customer meetings, and deeper relationship building. FMI provides a tool to facilitate the scheduling process. Companies are responsible for securing their own appointments and setting agendas. Confirmed appointments are not guaranteed. 

About the Strategic Executive Exchange

FMItech Light Up Sign

FMItech Pop-ups

FMItech Pop-ups are customizable 10' x 10’ spaces within the FMItech Hub designed for live technology demonstrations, meetings, and conversation throughout Midwinter. Companies can create their own small-format pop-up space where attendees can see technology in action, ask questions, and connect throughout the conference. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT FMITECH POP-UPS

 

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FMItech to the Pop-ups FMItech Pop-up 2 FMItech Pop-ups 1 FMItech Pop-ups 3 FMItech Pop-ups 4
FMI Supper Club - MW 26

FMItech Supper Club 

The FMItech Supper Club is an invitation-only dinner on Thursday, January 21, 2027, bringing food industry and technology leaders together for conversation beyond the conference floor. 

Request an Invitation

2026 FMItech B2B Meeting Participants

Retailers, Wholesalers & Product Suppliers

Technology Service Providers

FAQs

FMItech is the technology program at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference. It includes hands-on technology demonstrations, B2B meetings, a pitch competition for emerging technology companies, and technology education sessions for leaders across food retail, wholesale, and product suppliers.
FMItech runs throughout the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference, held January 20 to 23, 2027, at Gaylord Pacific, 1000 H St., Chula Vista, California. The FMItech Hub, Midwinter's central destination for technology demonstrations, meetings, and programming, is located on site at the conference.
FMItech is open to registered Midwinter attendees. Midwinter is an invitation-only FMI member event for senior retailers, wholesalers, independent operators, product suppliers, manufacturers, and technology solution providers.
Yes. FMItech programming takes place inside the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference, so Midwinter registration is required. There is no separate FMItech registration. You must be an FMI member to be eligible to register for the Midwinter Conference.
Technology solution providers complete a selection and approval process through FMI’s Technology Executive Committee. Solution providers then have the opportunity to secure a space in the FMItech Exchanges program. FMItech Pitch finalists receive complimentary participation as a competition benefit. Retailers, wholesalers, and product suppliers registered for Midwinter are eligible to participate free of charge.
Emerging technology companies apply online and submit a custom three-minute pitch video for the FMItech Pitch judges. Applications for the 2027 competition are now closed. Full eligibility requirements and the application are on the FMItech Pitch Competition page.

FMItech Exchanges are 20-minute, pre-scheduled meetings held in the FMItech Hub as part of the FMItech program. FMI provides a tool to facilitate the scheduling process. Companies are responsible for securing their own appointments and setting agendas. Confirmed appointments are not guaranteed. 

FMItech Pop-ups are customizable 10 x 10’ spaces within the FMItech Hub designed for live demonstrations, meetings, and conversation with conference attendees throughout Midwinter. 

The Strategic Executive Exchange is a separate invite-only Midwinter program offering dedicated private suites for longer-form, pre-scheduled executive conversations. FMI provides a tool to facilitate the scheduling process. Companies are responsible for securing their own appointments and setting agendas. Confirmed appointments are not guaranteed.

Questions? 

  • Doug Baker
    Doug Baker
    FMI Vice President, Industry Relations

    dbaker@fmi.org

  • Jennifer Shawgo
    Jennifer Shawgo
    FMI Senior Director, Technology Strategy and Programs

    jshawgo@fmi.org

FAQs
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