Oct 31, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARLINGTON, VA – Oct. 31, 2012 – The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the food retail industry’s most high-profile conference and exposition in North America, has selected Shepard Exposition Services, one of the industry’s leading events general service contractors, to be its service partner for the 2014 food retail show, June 11-13, in Chicago’s McCormick Place (South Hall).

The food retail show’s FMI2014 is expected to meet and exceed the expectations of the FMI2012 Dallas event. In Dallas, the convention drew more than 14,000 industry-shaping professionals from 90 countries and boasted a dynamic show floor with more than 2,800 exhibitors and targeted educational opportunities.  By hosting this event, FMI supports its food retailer and wholesaler member efforts on all aspects of their businesses and lends relevant insights to trends and emerging issues.
 
“We are enthusiastic to be partnering with Shepard at FMI2014 since they exemplify a boutique firm with a strong commitment to offering an array of VIP and concierge services,” Dagmar, Farr, senior vice president of member services at FMI, said. “It was obvious during the bidding process that the Shepard culture specifically addresses the needs of FMI and our exhibitor community by enhancing our FMI2014 show floor engagement and appealing to all five senses.”

“Indeed, the event size and prestige present a uniquely collaborative opportunity,” says Richard Maples, Shepard’s vice president of sales. “We’re honored to partner with one of the industry’s premier events. And FMI’s dedication to creative innovation dovetails perfectly with Shepard’s ongoing drive to perfect customer-focused experiences.”

Recognized industry wide as a premier destination for the latest trends in technologies, services and packaged products, networking and education within the food industry, the FMI conference will return to Chicago, where it hosted the event 24 times since the early 1980s.