2022 Convention Recap

Thank you to all who attended!

CFIC Chaplain Allen Jackson, president of Piggly Wiggly Pinetop at the Platinum Sponsors Reception

It was standing room only at the retailer Executive Briefings

The audience was captivated by keynote speaker John O'Leary's inspiring story

The audience was captivated by keynote speaker John O'Leary's inspiring story

Attendees of all ages enjoyed games at the Family Fun Night

Family Fun Night is all about bringing together kids of all ages

The Tuesday night President's Dinner Celebration allowed attendees to connect one final time before departing on Wednesday morning

Keynote speaker John O'Leary graciously signed copies of his books "On Fire" and "In Awe" for attendees

The breakfast and lunch buffets in the CFIC Café are a great place for suppliers to showcase their products

The breakfast and lunch buffets in the CFIC Café are a great place for suppliers to showcase their products

The CFIC Café is always bustling as attendees can grab meals and snacks throughout the event

The Cargill team enjoys the Tuesday night President's Dinner Celebration with Harris Teeter's David Hess

Family Fun Night has games that the whole family can enjoy

In addition to the 691 scheduled meetings that took place at the CFIC Convention, many other attendees held impromptu meetings

Melissa Assalone, Executive Director of the Virginia Food Industry Association, keynote speaker John O'Leary, and Lindsey Kueffner, Executive Director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council

The CFIC team was on hand to assist attendees throughout the convention (L to R: Stephanie Stafford, Amanda Wujcik, John McNair, Mary Beth Young, Pam Burris)

The Lowcountry Grocers team met with the Chosen Foods team during the One-on-One Business Meetings

Chris Jones from the National Grocers Association gave an industry-specific overview of the national political scene

W. Lee Flowers president Chris Van Parys presents during the Executive Briefings

The D&H Marketing team: Caleb Klutz, Robert Durham, Taylor Osborne, and Bryce Corbett

Attendees enjoyed the band at the Tuesday night President's Dinner Celebration

Food City's Ross Purdy gave a 30 minute overview of the company's priorities during the Executive Briefings

Food Lion's Gene Faller and Geoff Waldau teamed up to deliver the company's Executive Briefing

Food Lion's Gene Faller and Geoff Waldau teamed up to deliver the company's Executive Briefing

Food Lion attendees chat during the Platinum Sponsor's Reception

Magician Gerry the Great entertained kids during the Family Fun Night

Pit Boss Grills teamed up with P.K. Kinders to feed attendees during the Monday evening Innovation Pavilion

Harris Teeter's Chuck Munn and Chuck Thompson teamed up to deliver the company's Executive Briefing

Harris Teeter's Chuck Munn and Chuck Thompson teamed up to deliver the company's Executive Briefing

The J.M. Smucker Company's Regina Cooper and Garner Foods' James Johnson reconnect before a meeting

Jay Henderson from RDD Southeast enjoyed the dance floor

John O'Leary's inspiring story captivated the audience

John O'Leary's inspiring story captivated the audience

Keynote speaker John O'Leary graciously signed copies of his books "On Fire" and "In Awe" for attendees

It was standing room only at the keynote session for John O'Leary

The P.K. Kinders team served some mean barbecue during the Innovation Pavilion! (L to R: Kendall Bailey, Greg Howard, Dave Johnston, Jose Ibarra, Jerry Bogle)

L to R: Nick Lenzi, Lipari Foods; Ben Schmidlin, Shelf Engine; Merrick Rosner, Rosie Applications; and Sommer Ueda, Shelf Engine

Lowes Foods president Time Lowe delivers the company's Executive Briefing

Magician Gerry the Great entertained kids during the Family Fun Night

Smithfield's Mark Cassady during the Platinum Sponsor's Reception

Anheuser-Busch's Ken and Melissa McLeod relax during the President's Dinner Celebration

L to R: Adam Barnhardt, MDI; Allen Reavis, MDI; Julie Goolsby, B&G Foods; Nick Carlino, MDI; Ryan Mikeal, MDI

MDI's Adam Barnhardt and Nick Carlino teamed up to deliver the company's Executive Briefing

MDI's Adam Barnhardt and Nick Carlino teamed up to deliver the company's Executive Briefing

Lowes Foods' Mike Long and wife Vicki during the Platinum Sponsors' Reception

Bestway Grocery owner Nancy Kimbrough catches up with MDI's Nick Carlino during the Platinum Sponsors' Reception

The New Belgium crew enjoys their product with Mush Foods reps at the Innovation Pavilion (L to R: Michael Norrett, Mush Foods; Galen Fisher, New Belgium/Bells; Andrew Buxton, New Belgium/Bell's; Andrew Havens, Mush Foods)

The Procter & Gamble team enjoys the Platinum Sponsors Reception (L to R: Virginia Palmer, Rob Chin, and Carla Kopyta)

CFIC president Tim Lowe congratulates Pictsweet's Kevin Schwab and Mike Garner on the company being awarded CFIC's 2022 Outstanding Supplier of the Year

Pictsweet's Kevin Schwab accepts CFIC's Outstanding Supplier of the Year award

The Reese Group was on hand to represent Pit Boss Grills during the Innovation Pavilion

The Red Classic Transportation team enjoyed the Platinum Sponsors's Reception (L to R: Gene Williams, Christian Holden, Chuck and Pam Everett, Monica Hunsaker, Rick Clifton, Britta Miano, David Zelickson)