Diversity, Development, Experience Key Topics at WMU’s Food Marketing Conference
Cultural diversity, leadership development, and the “What if…? Experience” are among key presentations at WMU’s 50th annual Food Marketing Conference, to be held March 16-17 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo, Mich.
The conference kicks off with a luncheon program featuring best-selling author and VP of Global Human Resources Operations and Chief Diversity Officer for personal computer company Lenovo, Yolanda Conyers. Conyers will deliver an insightful, how-to guide for companies seeking to capture global markets by harnessing and engaging culture and diversity as the motivating factors to new growth.
Dr. Fred Johnson, founder and CEO of InitiativeOne, will not only provide the key to successfully transforming leadership for the next generation – hint: it’s you! – he’ll also share what doesn’t work.
During “The What if…? Experience,” inspirational thought leader Mike Rayburn draws on his success as an author, comedian and world-class guitarist to inspire attendees to become “possibility thinkers and virtuoso performers,” by daring to ask “What if…?”
Growing today's leaders, developing tomorrow's leaders
The WMU Annual Food Marketing Conference brings leading retail and CPG speakers to share the latest developments in the food and CPG industries. More than 600 industry executives will attend what is projected to be a sold-out event, and which is expected to raise more than $250,000 to fund scholarships and other learning opportunities for students – the future leaders of the grocery retail and CPG industries. The event is designed to provide attendees with effective leadership strategies, tips for building strong company cultures, and provoking insight from retail and organizational visionaries.
Among the many notable presenters gathered to impart insight and inspiration are Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target Corp.; Dennis Eidson, president and CEO of SpartanNash; Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of Food Marketing Institute (FMI); and Al Carey, CEO of PepsiCo Americas Beverages.
Featured Presenters:
o Yolanda Conyers, Author and Speaker, VP, Global Human Resources, Chief Diversity Officer, Lenovo
o Leslie Sarasin, President and CEO, Food Marketing Institute
o Dr. Fred Johnson, CEO, Initiative One
o Mike Rayburn, Speaker, Author, Comedian and World Class Guitarist
o Brian Cornell, Chairman and CEO, Target Corp.
o Mark Dickinson, Strategic Partner, and Perry Seelert, Strategic Partner, Emerge
o Al Carey, CEO PepsiCo Americas Beverages
o Dennis Eidsen, President and CEO, SpartanNash
Breakout session speakers:
o Art Sebastian, VP, Category Leadership & Shopper Insights, Kraft Foods Group
o Pam Henderson, Ph.D., CEO of NewEdge Inc.
o James Russo, SVP, Global Consumer Insights, Nielsen
o Katie Strohbeck, Director of Consumer Insights & Product Analytics, KeHE Distributors
o Gary Hawkins, Board Member and Executive Director of Birdzi, Inc.
o Linh Peters, VP of Marketing, SpartanNash
o Michael Gorshe, Managing Director, Accenture’s Consumer Goods & Services/Retail Practices and Greg Caster, Global Head, Accenture’s Retail Research, Innovation and Thought Leaders
o Sally Lyons Wyatt, IRI Executive & Practice Leader
o Jeff Fromm, President of FutureCast
o Mary Brett Whitfield, SVP, Shopper Insights, Kantar Retail
Executive Forum Participants:
o Paul Madura, former SVP, GM H-E-B Food-Drugs
o Doug Cygan, VP Grocery Merchandising, Jewel Foods
o Bill Nasshan, SVP, Chief Merchandising Officer, Bi-Lo Holdings
o Randy Stewart, Group VP Foods, Meijer
o Jane Novak-Cook, SVP Food Channel, Procter & Gamble
o Ken Gipple, VP Strategy, Trade Marketing, Kraft Foods
o Julia L. Sabin, VP Industry Government Affairs, J.M. Smucker
Visit http://www.wmich.edu/foodmarketing/fmc/ for more information.