Last updated on September 6th, 2012 at 11:12 am
A group of 330-plus frozen and refrigerated food category managers, manufacturers and sales agents gathered in Hilton Head Island in late March to network, learn and relax at the Southeastern Association Frozen & Refrigerated Food Councils’ annual conference.
The Frozen and Refrigerated Food Councils from North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida sponsored the conference in conjunction with participating manufacturers.
The conference kicked off March 31 with Tedy Bruschi, an NFL veteran who was previously with the New England Patriots. Bruschi, who also is a stroke survivor and an ESPN analyst, delivered a message of encouragement and triumph over adversity. Following his speech, he signed autographs, took photos with fans and played a round of golf with attendees. Two signed Bruschi jerseys were auctioned off to benefit the American Heart Association, raising a total of $1,645.
Retailers met with manufacturers to discuss business opportunities, the current economy, and plan for upcoming events. Retailers taking advantage of this opportunity included BI-LO, Carlie C’s IGA, Harris Teeter, Harveys Supermarket, Ingles Supermarkets, K-VA-T Food Stores, Lowes Foods, Merchants Distributors Inc. (MDI), Piggly Wiggly, W. Lee Flowers and Winn-Dixie.
At the Dinner and Awards Banquet, Jack Byrne of Acosta Sales & Marketing, the 2011 conference moderator, thanked all the sponsors and welcomed all retailers and delegates. Skip Shaw, president and CEO of the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA), briefly discussed the frozen and refrigerated foods industry and upcoming national events.
