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08:00 AM
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8:00 - 9:00 am Start the conference with breakfast, a warm welcome, and helpful information to make the most of your experience. Meet fellow attendees, get oriented to the event, and learn about the s …
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8:00 am - 5:00 pm Registration available in the lobby.
09:00 AM
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Session & speaker details coming soon!
12:00 PM
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12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Enjoy lunch while connecting with fellow attendees from across the industry. Share ideas, build relationships, and meet new contacts in a relaxed setting designed to encourage conve …
01:30 PM
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1:30 pm - 3:30 pm From Feedback to Follow-Through: Coaching High-Performing Grocery Teams Today's grocery managers are being asked to get more from their teams while navigating changing employee expec …
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1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Session & speaker details coming soon!
03:30 PM
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3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Take a break, grab a refreshment, and connect with fellow attendees.
04:00 PM
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4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Featuring the NGA Industry Update & Fireside chat with 70th U.S. Secretary of State, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Pompeo. Michael R. Pompeo served as t …
06:30 AM
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Breakfast will be available starting at 6:30 am Start the day with a fresh breakfast and an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees before the main stage program begins.
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6:30 am - 5:00 pm Registration available in the lobby.
07:00 AM
07:15 AM
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7:00 am - 8:30 am Hear from industry leaders, experts, and thought-provoking voices as they explore the trends shaping the industry. These engaging sessions provide valuable perspectives and insights …
07:45 AM
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What separates a good marketing or merchandising idea from one that truly connects with shoppers? We'll sit down with 2027 Creative Choice Award finalists to go behind the scenes of some of the indepe …
08:30 AM
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Take a break, grab a refreshment, and connect with fellow attendees.
08:45 AM
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Dive deeper into the issues, trends, and opportunities shaping the industry. These interactive sessions offer practical insights, expert perspectives, and actionable takeaways attendees can bring back …
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Succession and exit planning session which addresses advance planning, coordinated transaction workstreams, adviser roles and transition alternatives ranging from family transfers to management, ESOP, …Speakers
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Artificial intelligence continues to generate excitement across retail, but many grocers struggle to move from experimentation to meaningful business impact. The difference often comes down to one fac …Moderator
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What happens when authentic storytelling, strategic merchandising, and shopper insights come together in the center store? Join the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce and Garafalo Markets for an exclus …
09:30 AM
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Take a break, grab a refreshment, and connect with fellow attendees.
09:45 AM
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Dive deeper into the issues, trends, and opportunities shaping the industry. These interactive sessions offer practical insights, expert perspectives, and actionable takeaways attendees can bring back …
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Food safety is not just an operational responsibility. It is a leadership imperative that shapes customer trust, employee accountability, brand reputation, and business performance. In today's environ …
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Grocers run on thin margins and thick complexity, multiple stores, departments, vendors, and SKUs all rolled into one P&L. This session will demonstrate how modern financial management software is clo …
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AI is rapidly becoming part of the customer experience—but for independent and regional grocers, adopting new technology isn't simply about keeping up. It's about knowing where AI can genuinely improv …
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The policy landscape impacting independent grocers is changing faster than ever. From federal debates around competition, payments, nutrition programs and workforce issues to a growing wave of state l …
10:00 AM
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10:00 am - 5:00 pm Explore the latest products, technologies, and solutions shaping the grocery industry.With opportunities to learn about every aspect of the grocery business, the expo floor is where …
11:00 AM
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Speed networking sessions in the Connections Hub. Retailers and sponsors rotate through five-minute introductions, followed by a social hour for continued conversations.
12:15 PM
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As consumer demand for fresh, convenient, and high-quality meal solutions continues to grow, prepared foods have become a key driver of retail differentiation and growth. Dietz & Watson helps retaile …
01:00 PM
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Energy is one of the largest and most unpredictable operating expenses for independent grocers. Refrigeration runs around the clock, and every dollar spent on utilities comes straight out of already t …
03:30 PM
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Invitation-only presentation of the 5th Annual Exceptional Independents Awards, honoring the independent U.S. grocery operators whose innovation, dedication, and community leadership set them apart. …
05:00 PM
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Cheer on your state's best bagger! Baggers from across the country will vie for the championship title and a $10,000 grand prize.
06:30 AM
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Breakfast will be available starting at 6:30 am. Start the day with a fresh breakfast and an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees before the main stage program begins.
07:00 AM
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Dive deeper into the issues, trends, and opportunities shaping the industry. These interactive sessions offer practical insights, expert perspectives, and actionable takeaways attendees can bring back …
07:45 AM
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Leadership in the grocery industry is about more than running a successful business. It’s about navigating change, developing the next generation and building a legacy that can endure. Join Karen Capl …
08:30 AM
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Take a break, grab a refreshment, and connect with fellow attendees.
08:45 AM
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Independent grocers face growing pressure from national chains, e-commerce competitors, and rising operating costs. Yet some retailers are finding new ways to strengthen customer loyalty, improve stor …
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In this session, attendees will learn how independent grocers are transforming loyalty programs from a marketing tool into a storewide growth strategy. We will explore proven techniques for increasing …
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Technology alone won’t fix operational challenges—but when paired with the right people, processes, and accountability, it becomes a powerful driver of efficiency and profitability. Independent grocer …
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If there’s one word defining health and wellness growth right now, it’s specificity. Shoppers aren’t looking for products that are simply “healthy” anymore. They’re looking for products that support …
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Retail decisions should not require hours of compiling reports or searching through disconnected systems. This session shows how retailers use dashboards, and AI to turn complex retail data into simpl …Moderator
09:45 AM
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Dive deeper into the issues, trends, and opportunities shaping the industry. These interactive sessions offer practical insights, expert perspectives, and actionable takeaways attendees can bring back …
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Every unnecessary dollar spent on healthcare doesn’t just impact the bottom line; it directly reduces EBITDA, diminishes share value, and erodes the long-term retirement wealth of our teams. This sess …
10:00 AM
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10:00 am - 4:00 pm Explore the latest products, technologies, and solutions shaping the grocery industry.With opportunities to learn about every aspect of the grocery business, the expo floor is where …
02:00 PM
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Speed networking sessions in the Connections Hub. Retailers and sponsors rotate through five-minute introductions, followed by a social hour for continued conversations.
05:00 PM
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Wrap up the conference with an evening of great conversation, food, and fun. Join fellow attendees, industry peers, and friends for a relaxed celebration of the connections, ideas, and experiences sha …