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Monday, March 25
Blue Learning Lounge

1:00 - 1:25 PM
Profitability and financial success for Independent Grocers with FMS
Courtyard 3
Come learn what drives profits and creates profit leaders for independents across the US.
Presented by Robert Graybill [more]

1:30 - 1:55 PM
Refresh, Remodel, or New Build: What is Right For Your Store? with DSG
Courtyard 3
With all of the project options, it can be a daunting task to determine the right scope of work for your store. During this presentation we will discuss strategies for refreshing an existing store, possible rebates and incentives, potential ROI, and how to determine the right scope and timing for your store's needs.
Presented by Jessica Magnussen [more]

2:00 - 2:25 PM
Cyber Security Panel Discussion with AWG Sales & Solutions
Courtyard 3
As the world becomes more interconnected, security of your data is not optional. In this session, a panel of subject matter experts will provide important information regarding preventative measures and solutions from experts in the technical, legal and insurance fields. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn what actions you can take today to be prepared for the unexpected.
Presented by Shelly Moore [more]

2:30 - 2:55 PM
Revolutionize Retail: Integrating EV Charging for Business Growth with Zevtron
Courtyard 3
Discover how integrating Electric Vehicle (EV) charging can boost your retail business. This session explores innovative installation options like using existing light poles, and how EV chargers can attract new customers and enhance loyalty programs. Learn about generating additional revenue through advertising and incentives, and how this eco-friendly addition aligns with zero-emission goals and drives business growth.
Presented by Chuck Kaufmann [more]

3:00 - 3:25 PM
Going beyond loyalty: boosting your current acquisition and retention strategies with Upside
Courtyard 3
Join Upside as we delve into customer allegiance. This session will examine how growing competition and cross-shopping behavior is challenging grocers’ existing loyalty programs, digital marketing, and pricing strategies. We’ll identify the importance of these investments, and introduce additional tactics grocers can use that work alongside these programs to better acquire new, retain existing, and engage infrequent shoppers.
Presented by Tyler Renaghan [more]

3:30 - 3:55 PM
AI Pricing and Forecasting with BR Data
Courtyard 3
Effective strategies leverage technology and data-driven approaches to optimize pricing decisions, and drive profitability. Discover how AI, ML, and predictive analytics are empowering retailers to gather real-time data and insights that guide pricing options. Discover how dynamic pricing philosophies can suggest new opportunities for growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction in grocery retail.
Presented by Joseph Dwyer [more]

4:00 - 4:25 PM
Three Best Practices to Prevent Credit Card Skimmers in Your Store with TRUNO
Courtyard 3
Criminals have realized that the combination of fewer workers aware of skimming devices and more people swiping their card each day mean that grocery stores can be a target for a bigger payday. Join TRUNO as they outline three key best practices every retailer needs to put into action to combat skimmers.
Presented by Uwe von Sehrwald [more]

4:30 - 4:55 PM
EPA and the AIM Act: What Retailers Need to Know About New Refrigerant Regulations with Hussmann
Courtyard 3
A high level yet detailed review of the regulatory challenges facing grocery retailers today from the new and proposed regulations driven by the EPA and the AIM Act. This will include discussion of what some of the potential impacts may be.
Presented by Tim Anderson [more]
Green Learning Lounge

1:00 - 1:25 PM
Navigating Budget-Conscious Consumer Trends with Innovative Payment Solutions with ECRS
Courtyard 4
With inflation on the rise, consumers are more budget-conscious and seek ways to reduce costs without compromising on healthy food options. This shift presents an opportunity for independent grocers to bolster their local communities by embracing diverse payment options such as Healthy Benefits/OTC cards, Healthy Savings, digital coupons, online EBT/SNAP acceptance, and more. In this session, we will explore the variety of solutions available to independent retailers today, ensuring that shoppers can maintain a healthy lifestyle with access to affordable, nutritious food.
Presented by Otis Flieth [more]

1:30 - 1:55 PM
Countdown to FSMA 204: Essential Steps Grocery Retailers Need to Take Now with iFoodDS
Courtyard 4
Discover the intricacies of FSMA 204 and understand the role you play as a grocery retailer in complying with this regulation. Gain insights from one of the rule’s architects and get practical guidance on steps you must take now to prepare for the compliance deadline of January 20, 2026.
Presented by Andrew Kennedy [more]

2:00 - 2:25 PM
Macro Forces Impacting Consumers and the Retail Environment with Kellanova
Courtyard 4
Mission Value, Fed & Fulfilled, Flexible Balance, Blurred Lines, and Amplified Experience are impacting retail now and into the future. Learn more about Macro Trends impacting young and older shoppers.
Presented by Caryn Grey [more]

2:30 - 2:55 PM
Increase SKU Productivity with Category Initiatives
Courtyard 4
Hear how collaboration among multiple AWG teams ultimately comes to life in planograms with optimal products for your store. Using a mix of data-driven and vendor insights, Category Initiatives aim to help you realize long-term cost of goods improvement with the most productive SKUs on your shelves.
Presented by Brian Adams [more]

3:00 - 3:25 PM
Winning with AWG Brands
Courtyard 4
Your shoppers have come to expect private brands for quality and value, especially in budget-constrained times. Come learn about how AWG Brands (Always Save, Best Choice, Clearly by Best Choice, and Best Choice Superior Selections) can help you deliver a wide variety of high quality, consumer-recognized brands at a good value to win every day with value-seeking shoppers.
Presented by Emily Detwiler [more]

3:30 - 3:55 PM
Understanding Consumer Shifts to drive Growth with P&G
Courtyard 4
Understanding today's context and how shopper behavior has shifted is essential in order to build successful strategies. This session will focus on key shopper behaviors that can help retailers understand how shoppers make choices from where to shop, what to buy and how to get the most value.
Presented by Mariana Y. Eagen [more]

4:00 - 4:25 PM
Importance of Winning Breakfast and Cereal with Post Consumer Brands
Courtyard 4
Why are Grocery retailers positioned to win at the Breakfast occasion and how can traffic driving stock-up categories like Cereal help you win more than your fair share of the most critical households and most critical pantry-loading trips
Presented by Steve Langlois [more]

4:30 - 4:55 PM
Your Gateway to Maximizing Frozen Treats Space & Sales with Wells Blue Bunny
Courtyard 4
Leveraging the power of the AWG Partner Gateway to optimize your assortment and grow sales within your space
Presented by Jeff Mullan [more]
Tuesday, March 26
Blue Learning Lounge

9:30 - 9:55 AM
What is a ‘Pitch Book’… and why would I need one if I’m not currently selling my business? with Crossroads
Courtyard 3
As a business owner you have dedicated much of your life to your business. For many it is like a child to them. For all it will at some point come to an end. Planning is crucial and a well-built Pitch Book will serve your business and family well as you come to different crossroads in your time as a business owner.
Presented by Carey Berger [more]

10:00 - 10:25 AM
Working As One Retail Media Network with AWG RMN
Courtyard 3
Navigating the Retail Media landscape: A panel discussion on strategies, collaboration, and impact on consumer engagement.
Presented by Carissa Teschner [more]

10:30 - 10:55 AM
Going BEYOND: How You Can Gain up to 150 Gross Margin Basis Points in 120 Days with ProfitTrax
Courtyard 3
Learn how the right combination of all-in-one technology and daily practices will reduce internal profit erosion, streamline workload, and improve inventory turns, labor efficiency, and product freshness. Plus, how to train and enable store operations teams to understand and put in place 6 Vital Steps for Whole Store Profit Optimization.
Presented by Larry Miller [more]

11:00 - 11:25 AM
Electronic Shelf Labels: Beyond the Price Change with RDS
Courtyard 3
As labor shortages continue and costs continue to rise, RDS is helping retailers enhance in-store efficiency, automate operations, and reduce labor costs generated by the daily implementation of pricing policies with Electronic Shelf Labels from SES Imagotag. From point of sale to backoffice products, managing shelf pricing has never been easier than with RDS’s dynamic solutions.
Presented by Chuck Korenic [more]

1:00 - 1:25 PM
APG's Innovations Toward Improved Collaboration with Circana
Courtyard 3
During this presentation, you will hear about specific AWG Partner Gateway use cases from AWG's merchant leadership to help you better understand the value you can derive from using this solution. Capability enhancements will be demonstrated. Time will be reserved at the end to entertain your questions.
Presented by Valerie Wilson [more]

1:30 - 1:55 PM
What's the Point? Maximizing Profits and Influencing Customer Behavior with givex
Courtyard 3
givex will share an award-winning pricing strategy shown to increase current customers’ spending, attract & retain new customers, reactivate lost customers and increase market share. See how we, and others, stimulate shoppers' behavior by using AI personalization, supercharging your loyalty program to drive more trips and profits.
Presented by Andy Ruff [more]

2:00 - 2:25 PM
Connecting Shoppers to the Brands and Services They Love with North Country
Courtyard 3
In this session, we will provide a brief history of coupons and how the advent of digital technologies took a staid paper-based marketing industry and created great opportunity for marketers, retailers, and especially fraudsters. Digital imaging allowed amateurs and pros to create and recreate coupons, costing CPGs and retailers $100s of millions in losses a year. This led to the creation of the new 8112 Universal Digital Coupons, which are serialized, single-use and fraud-free. The conversion of paper coupons to digital using the 8112 standard will lower costs, increase acceptance, and speed retailer reimbursement.
Presented by Sam Jonas [more]

2:30 - 2:55 PM
Keep the Good Ones: Practical ways to recruit, train, and retain employees for better profit with Timeforge
Courtyard 3
Can't find good help? Or keep it? 52% of your employees are already looking for a new job. It's not supposed to be this hard. Join labor and retention expert Audrey Hogan, SHRM-SCP, to see techniques you haven't heard about already, along with best-practices and the tools to get you there.
Presented by Audrey Hogan [more]

3:00 - 3:25 PM
Elevate with Automation: Making Margins Automatic with Storewise
Courtyard 3
Step onto the frontlines of Independent grocery success with Storewise. Uncover the transformative power of automating back office tasks, empowering you to win on the sales floor. Join our exploration of strategies to automate your store, where each transaction serves as a potent catalyst for margin growth. Revolutionize your approach, driving loyalty, and securing lasting success in the competitive grocery landscape.
Presented by Christopher Greco [more]

3:30 - 3:55 PM
The Importance of Lighting in Retail with Amerlux
Courtyard 3
Lighting is an important part of Grocery Retail and Amerlux has been a leader in retail lighting for the past three decades. Learn how to implement effective lighting in your space and how the 4Cs of lighting (Color, Comfort, Control, and Configure) can affect your shopper.
Presented by Patrick Casady [more]

4:00 - 4:25 PM
Unlocking New Revenue Opportunities with Digital Commerce with Instacart
Courtyard 3
In the rapidly changing grocery landscape of rising costs of goods and labor, independent retailers are challenged to profitably grow their businesses by finding streams of revenue. Find out how partnering with Instacart creates opportunities for independent retailers to acquire customers shopping Instacart Marketplace, attract new supplier revenue from Carrot Ads, and deliver delightful in-store shopping experiences that grow basket size.
Presented by Merrick Rosner [more]
Green Learning Lounge

9:30 - 9:55 AM
"What's In Store?" 2024 Trends & Influencers with IDDBA
Courtyard 4
David will be discussing their organizations recently released 6 guiding trends & influencers impacting dairy, deli, bakery, & foodservice operations for 2024. Noting a few key attributes important for company leadership to take note of, as well as provide insights and resources that being a member of IDDBA can afford.
Presented by David Haaf [more]

10:00 - 10:25 AM
Driving Growth Through Ready To Drink Coffee with Danone
Courtyard 4
The refrigerated Ready to Drink Coffee category has a 3 YR CAGR of 22% and grew 8X faster than the Refrigerated Beverage aisle in 2023. Come learn how you can capture the highly valuable RTD Coffee shopper, with the highest buy rate in refrigerated beverages and the second shortest purchase cycle.
Presented by Hiral Damania [more]

10:30 - 10:55 AM
Increase SKU Productivity with Category Initiatives
Courtyard 4
Hear how collaboration among multiple AWG teams ultimately comes to life in planograms with optimal products for your store. Using a mix of data-driven and vendor insights, Category Initiatives aim to help you realize long-term cost of goods improvement with the most productive SKUs on your shelves.
Presented by Brian Adams [more]

11:00 - 11:25 AM
Winning with AWG Brands
Courtyard 4
Your shoppers have come to expect private brands for quality and value, especially in budget-constrained times. Come learn about how AWG Brands (Always Save, Best Choice, Clearly by Best Choice, and Best Choice Superior Selections) can help you deliver a wide variety of high quality, consumer-recognized brands at a good value to win every day with value-seeking shoppers.
Presented by Emily Detwiler [more]

1:00 - 1:25 PM
Today’s Top Tech Trends for Independent Grocers with DCR
Courtyard 4
A brief discussion into the current trends in technology and how they can help overcome the challenges facing today's independent grocer. Whether they are designed to increase profit margins, reduce shrink, improve ordering efficiency, or improve customer satisfaction, today’s tech tools are more capable and affordable than ever before.
Presented by Jason Dilleha [more]

1:30 - 1:55 PM
Attracting and Retaining SNAP Shoppers with KraftHeinz
Courtyard 4
Receiving nearly $100 billion in 2024, the SNAP program is more important to grocers than ever. During this session, KraftHeinz will bring you up to speed on who SNAP Shoppers are, what matters to them when shopping for groceries, and how retailers can distinguish themselves as SNAP Shoppers favorite store.
Presented by Danny Bowers [more]

2:00 - 2:25 PM
So Many PASObilities with Old El Paso
Courtyard 4
Consumers are hungry for innovation, and we are here to feed. Old El Paso is the leader in Mexican, and we are bringing several innovative items to drive consumers to the Mexican aisle. From low carb taco shells to rice & beans, we have the items to make any meal a fiesta!
Presented by Jillian McCafferty & Lucas Don [more]

2:30 - 2:55 PM
The Changing Beef Customer with Certified Angus Beef
Courtyard 4
Inflation is high and consumers are adapting. It’s important to understand the market and trends to drive your meat department into the future. This session will deliver the information needed to be the meat leader in your area.
Presented by David O'Diam [more]

3:00 - 3:25 PM
Inflation Impact on Retailers and Consumers with Tyson
Courtyard 4
Tyson Foods presents an overview on the current environment and marketplace landscape during this inflationary time. The Tyson team will share how inflation is impacting their business across key meat categories and how they are providing value to retailers and consumers during this time.
Presented by Michelle Jimenez [more]

3:30 - 3:55 PM
Leveraging Shelf Planning to Drive Value with SymphonyAI Retail | CPG
Courtyard 4
Learn how AWG is leveraging a new cloud based space planning platform to drive value for the retail members. This system will provide the retailer with the ability to efficiently leverage AWG planograms and make edits. This will help with better collaboration between the retail members and AWG. Also get a sneak peek of what is coming to support Assortment Optimization for the Convergence program.
Presented by Gina Hargrave [more]

4:00 - 4:25 PM
Utilizing AI to Revolutionize your Produce Department with Empower Fresh Company
Courtyard 4
Put the power of AI to work for you in the fast-paced environment of perishables to impact gross profit, product shrink, and competitive positioning. Learn from Produce industry experts as they bring their toolbox of tips, tricks, and innovative new tools of the trade to revolutionize your Fresh operations.
Presented by Anthony J Totta [more]