CGA Strategic Conference 2022

After years of facing the day-to-day pandemic grind, it was a breath of fresh air to look forward to what lies ahead for the industry during the 2022 CGA Strategic Conference. This year we were able to shift our gaze towards “what’s next” for the world of retail and how we can best plan for it. Following hybrid-event formats and evolving travel restrictions over the years, this year our event returned to full capacity in Palm Springs, and the spirit of our industry was electric.

On Sunday afternoon, attendees warmed up with an energizing Emerging Brands Pitch Contest, hosted in collaboration with Navigator Lighthouse Foundation, where up-andcoming brands competed for the attention of top retailers in California. After brands delivered their best five-minute pitch, retailers could bestow “golden tickets” upon the brands they would like to carry in-store. Contestants, including first-place winner, Drunk Fruit, walked away with a handul of golden tickets and even more valuable— retailer business cards.

Undoubtedly, the crème de la crème of our event is the hundreds of hand-coordinated business meetings between retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers that allow guests’ the most efficient experience to build lasting connections and generate new leads.

To supplement busy meeting schedules and networking events, our top-shelf keynote speakers delivered thoughtful presentations to get guests thinking about new approaches to drive forward culture and business in a new landscape.

The event kicked off with an interactive keynote session delivered by Galen Emanuele, who broke down how empowering a simple “Yes” can be to the performance, mindset, and engagement of your team. Through think-on-your-feet exercises, Galen helped the audience harness the power of the improv to transform conventional approaches to culture within organizations.

Monday morning’s General Session opened with poignant insights from CGA President and CEO Ron Fong, Board Chair Renee Amen, and Illuminators Headlite Joe Perez on how the industry has changed over the past few years, and where it’s going. Then, Kehe’s Executive Vice President of Growth and Innovation, Amy Kirtland, joined us to unpack what making and moving goods looks like in today’s landscape, rife with persistent supply chain challenges.

Following the session, Keynote Kevin Carroll took the stage—bringing along his red ball—to remind us to embrace our inner child and infuse our work with play. Kevin inspired the audience with touching personal stories from his own background and childhood, demonstrating his ability to build grit and resilience in the face of challenges—something that, he says, can be taught.

Tuesday morning launched with a thought-provoking presentation from top retail influencer Carol Spiekerman, who offered a new perspective on retail and brand strategy. Carol challenged guests’ existing impressions of retail and encouraged boundary-pushing to drive growth and opportunity into the new year and beyond. She also forecasted what’s next for retail, presenting her thoroughly researched Ten Transformation Trajectories.

Between productive retailer-supplier meetings, our lunchtime keynote, Purpose Strategy Expert, Kathy Varol, helped us address hard but necessary truths about ESG and sustainability as our industry faces evolving consumer expectations and increased concern for our planet.

The Association put hundreds of hours into planning the 2022 CGA Strategic Conference. Years of distance taught us how vital in-person connection is, and how much our industry thrives being together. Through resilience and collaboration, California’s grocery community has proven that together, we can face any road ahead.

Mark your calendars for next year’s Conference on September 24–26, 2023 in Palm Springs!

CGA wishes to recognize and thank the many sponsors that helped to make this year’s conference a tremendous success.

PREMIUM SUITE

Anheuser-Busch InBev Bimbo Bakeries USA C&S Wholesale Grocers CA GROWN Chobani Jelly Belly Candy Co. Kellogg Company Kimberly-Clark Corporation Molson Coors Beverage Company Mondelez International Nestle Purina Petcare PepsiCo Procter & Gamble Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling/ Coca-Cola North America RMS, Inc. The Hershey Company The Jel Sert Company The Kraft Heinz Company Tyson Foods, Inc. UNFI

EXECUTIVE LEVEL

Classic Wines of California Chosen Foods Danone North America

REGISTRATION

Post Consumer Brands

OPENING RECEPTION

CA GROWN E. & J. Gallo Winery

WHITEBOARD SESSIONS

RMS, Inc.

OPENING GENERAL SESSION

Instacart

AFTER-HOURS SOCIAL

Molson Coors Beverage Company

WI-FI

C&S Wholesale Grocers

CHARGING STATIONS

Upside

ENTERPRISE RISK PROTECTION SUMMIT

Front Line Safety RMS, Inc.

PRESIDENT LEVEL

Alkaline88 American Greetings/Papyrus Amplify Snack Brands Arcadia Publishing Constellation Brands Ferrero USA Flowers Foods Frito-Lay Harris Ranch Idahoan Foods Inmar Itasca Retail KeHE Distributors Kind Brands Loacker USA NuCal Foods Phononic Wonderful Sales

DIRECTOR LEVEL

Baloian Farms Cam Services Certified Federal Credit Union Chemours Crown Poly, Inc DISTANT LANDS COFFEE ECOS e-Mission Control F. Gavina & Sons, Inc. Garda Construction, Inc. Hussmann Corporation/Aperion Lone Peak Labeling PepsiCo PreZero US Packaging, LLC. QM Power Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling Sioux Honey Association SnackFutures, a division of Mondelez Torani Italian Syrups TRUNO Retail Technology Solutions Unified Protective Services, Inc.

EMERGING BRANDS

Botticelli Foods LLC Organic Foods International Rosewalk Global/Latvian American Chamber of Commerce Viva Tribe, LLC