FAIRFAX, Va. -- The AWMA Summit & Business Exchange (ABX), to be held September 10-13 at Amelia Island, Fla., is on pace to set new attendance records, the American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA) said.
The annual conference for convenience distributors and suppliers will feature educational programming and private meetings with business partners.
"This year's attendance for both Summit & ABX are at an all time high," said AWMA president and CEO Scott Ramminger. "We are up 11% in distributor company participation and 17% in manufacturer company participation. This is a testament to the value that is delivered by this annual event."
While the ABX is sold out, Ramminger urged AWMA members not participating in those pre-planned face-to-face business discussions between trading partners to attend the 15th annual AWMA Summit program. The Summit opens on September 10 with a reception, followed by general sessions evening reception on September 11.
The 2012 AWMA Summit will kick off with a political update by Reid Wilson, editor-in-chief of National Journal's "The Hotline," a daily tip sheet on politics, campaigns and elections. Wilson will provide an insider's look into the current political environment in this heated presidential election year.
Business author Scott McKain will present the Summit's Keynote Address. Attendees will learn how to create more compelling connections between their companies and their customers and how to stand out and move up, regardless of the economic climate in the industry.
The program will also cover the opportunities and challenges provided by foodservice for convenience distributors. According to AWMA's InfoMetrics data, overall foodservice sales by convenience distributors totaled nearly $625 million from Jan. 1, 2012, through May 26, 2012, an increase of 17.7%. Unit sales increased 5.2% during that period.
For more information about the annual AWMA Summit & ABX, visit www.awmanet.org.
AWMA is an international trade organization working on behalf of convenience distributors in the United States. Its distributor members represent more than $85 billion in U.S. convenience product sales. Associate members include manufacturers, service providers, technology companies, brokers, retailers and others allied to the convenience retailing industry. In addition to c-stores, its largest customer segment, convenience distributors also service grocery stores, drug stores, tobacco shops, mass merchants, newsstands, concession stands, gift shops, fundraising groups, restaurants, institutions and more.
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