Presenters: Jill Culora, Husking Bee Media, and Chris Hogan, IBWA
Learn how you can harness social media and the Internet to help tell bottled water’s good story, correct misinformation, and connect with consumers and social influencers. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the Web itself all play important roles in getting our message out and connecting with people who have questions—and perhaps misinformed opinions. This session will provide strategies for using social media platforms and Web-based tools. The goal is to help you identify what you need for your company, your market, and your area of focus. For some, that means a dedicated strategy with committed staff; for others, it means setting up a Facebook page and occasional posting. No matter how you do it, social media and the Web-based world are where your customers live today. Be a part of the conversation.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Bottled Water Sales Trends
Presenter: Barclay Griffiths, Beverage Marketing Corp. When you need to make critical sales and marketing decisions, knowing the latest sales
trends can have a significant impact on the direction your business chooses to select. Join Barclay Griffiths as he discusses BMC’s 2013 Industry Outlook, what the data reveals about the bottled water category, and how it all relates to the overall U.S. beverage marketplace.
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM BPA Update (1.25 CEUs)
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM FSMA Updates (1.5 CEUs)
CEU
Presenter: Bob Hirst, IBWA, and Joseph Levitt, Esq., Hogan Lovells
CEU
Presenters: Steve Hentges, PhD, American Chemistry Council, and Chris Hogan, IBWA
Research studies on polycarbonate and bisphenol-A (BPA) continue to receive conflicting media coverage. The first part of this session will focus on presenting the latest scientific data that continues to prove this chemical compound is safe for use in food container plastics and discuss how BPA fits in with current health and environmental issues. In the second part of the session, you’ll learn how all of this impacts your company’s business strategy and marketing. From a public relations standpoint, public perception and understanding of BPA bears little resemblance to the scientifically proven facts. This session will help you identify key messages and provide suggestions for correcting typical misunderstandings about bottled water and BPA. The goal is to help you better explain BPA facts to your consumers, legislators, and the media.
Note: Proposed rules have been published for preventive controls, foreign supplier verification programs (FSVP), and third-party certification, and a final rule published for administration detention, but there remain a few proposed rules for FSMA yet to be published. This session will provide the most up-to-date information available at the time of presentation. FDA published proposed rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) beginning in 2013. The first three of those rules include preventive controls for food (HACCP), preventive controls for feed, and produce safety. In August, FDA published a proposed rule for third-party accreditation/certification. We should also see proposed rules for safe food transport and intentional adulteration (food defense) sometime in 2013.
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM Achieving Net Growth (Roundtable) Presenters: Steve Keim, Premiere Corp., and Panel
During the first portion of this session, you’ll learn what it takes to be profitable in the home and office delivery (HOD) business versus the retail water business. The review will include a look at the necessary strengths of AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
BWR
EDUCATION SESSIONS
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Internet Tools for Marketing
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