One of the main reasons grocers and vendors attend the CFIC Convention is to participate in the One-on-One Business Meetings. This is a benefit only available to retailers, wholesalers, and CFIC Convention sponsor companies. During the duration of the convention, over 500 private meetings will take place during scheduled business meeting times.
Many vendors choose to be a convention sponsor so they can have the exclusive opportunity to meet with participating retailers from:
- Carlie C’s IGA
- C&S Wholesale Grocers
- Food City
- Food Lion
- Harris Teeter
- Ingles Markets
- Lowes Foods
- Merchants Distributors, Inc.
- Piggly Wiggly
- W. Lee Flowers
Participating retailers will be assigned complimentary, designated space to meet with convention sponsors.
All registered attendees from sponsoring companies will be emailed a contact list of participating retailers. It is the responsibility of each sponsor company representative to reach out to retailers directly to schedule meetings prior to arriving in Myrtle Beach.
IMPORTANT: Vendors should allow for a minimum of 10 minutes between scheduled meetings as meeting space is spread throughout three separate buildings. Retailer meeting room assignments will be posted at the CFIC registration desk and can also be found on the CFIC Convention App.
Hear some of our retailers explain how vendors can prepare for the One-on-One and Speed Meetings to ensure an efficient and productive meeting. You can access those videos here.
Best Practices
To make the best use of your time during the One-on-One Business Meetings, CFIC recommends that vendors prepare in advance using the sample meeting below. CFIC also highly recommends reviewing the One-on-One Participating Retailers Guide that will be emailed to sponsors prior to the Convention.
Sample Meeting Agenda
- Company and product overview
- Current distribution and business overview in the marketplace
- Samples to try
- Business model
- Do you have a sales agent/brokerage representing you?
- Cost?
- Retail?
- GM?
- Reclamation process?
- Delivery model?
- What differentiates the product from others?
- How will the category benefit from adding this product/product line?
- Final questions
