OAK BROOK, Ill. -- CSP Information Group has announced the formation of a cross-channel advisory council to oversee strategy and development of its new conference and tradeshow—Foodservice at Retail Expo (FARE)—being held August 11-13, 2008, at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill. The council is comprised of foodservice retailers, distributors, consultants and suppliers from multiple channels that serve food and beverages for the on-the-go consumer, including convenience stores, travel centers, college/university stores, entertainment outletsand supermarkets.[image-nocss]
According to Paul Reuter, president and CEO of CSP Information Group, "We are honored to have such terrific expertise on our board of advisors. We have been studying the on-the-go foodservice industry for the past few years and have learned that there are many common interests and concerns across retail channels relating to foodservice—food safety, ROI, consumer trends, demographic preferences, innovation in products and packaging, etc. One of the roles of our council will be to ensure relevance of the educational sessions across retail channels to help make this a must-attend event for the on-the-go foodservice industry."
Jack Cushman, vice president of foodservice for Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes, added, "All of us in the 'convenient' foodservice industry are searching for ideas, methods, techniques and best practices that impress the consumer while satisfying his or her needs. Capturing a greater share of the growing dollars dedicated to dining on the run is a smart business decision. This event is particularly interesting to us at Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes as we strive to take our Easy Street Eatery foodservice concept to even higher levels."
The on-the-go foodservice industry is estimated at $161.5 billion and growing by nearly 7% each year. FARE is a conference and tradeshow specifically for operators who offer convenient, fresh food to fit the lifestyle of today's consumers and manufacturers/suppliers of foodservice products, programs, equipment and technology solutions.
"This is a unique event for the on-the-go foodservice industry, and I am personally excited to be part of it," said Rick Wilshe, director of food and beverage for Barnes & Noble College Stores. "The educational program promises to be of incredible value for all of us who serve quick, fresh food for a broad consumer base representing just about every geography and demographic profile."
Dennis Phelps, vice president of fresh foods at 7-Eleven Inc., added, "In the age of channel blur, consumer focus on health and nutrition, demand for more multicultural meals, and the increasing need for convenient food options, I look forward to hearing about challenges and successes my counterparts in other channels experience."
Members of CSP's Foodservice at Retail Advisory Council:
Gary Bergsma, Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Robert Buhler, Open Pantry Food Marts of Wisconsin Inc. Kathleen Byrd, Kraft Foods Joseph Chiovera, 7-Eleven Inc. H. Lou Cooperhouse, Rutgers University Jack Cushman, Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes Inc. Brad Duesler, Food Concepts Inc. Jay Ellingson, Kwik Trip Inc. Jennie Jones, S&D Coffee Gary McGuirk, Jr., Liberty USA Tim Moynihan, General Mills Dawn Molski, Sara Lee Tim Mulderink, Family Express Corp. Tom Newbould, TravelCenters of America Ron Paul, Technomic Inc. Dennis Phelps, 7-Eleven Inc. David Portalatin, The NPD Group Scott Ramminger, American Wholesale Marketers Association Bill Reilly, The Spinx Co. Inc. Jerry Ryker, Piccadilly Circus Pizza Michael Sansolo, Sansolo Solutions Jennifer Vespole, Quick Chek Jerry Weiner, Rutter's Farm Stores Rick Wilshe, Barnes & Noble BooksellersComplete information on attending or exhibiting will be available online beginning Monday, March 10. Look for an announcement in CSP Daily News withfurther details.
Oak Brook, Ill.-based CSP Information Group, publisher of CSP and CSP Independent magazines, is a business-to-business communication company specializing in the convenience and retail petroleum industry. Other business units include the CSP Daily News e-mail newsletter, CSPNetwork CyberConferences, CSPTV, CSP Leadership Conferences & Events, 24-7 Connect Virtual Expo and CSP Consulting.
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