The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has selected Shepard Exposition Services to be its service partner for the 2014 food retail show scheduled June 11-13 in Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The food retail show’s FMI 2014 is expected to meet and exceed the expectations of the FMI 2012 Dallas event. In Dallas, the convention drew more than 14,000 industry-shaping professionals from 90 countries and boasted a dynamic show floor with more than 2,800 exhibitors and targeted educational opportunities. By hosting this event, FMI supports its food retailer and wholesaler member efforts on all aspects of their businesses and lends relevant insights to trends and emerging issues.
“We are enthusiastic to be partnering with Shepard at FMI 2014, since they exemplify a boutique firm with a strong commitment to offering an array of VIP and concierge services,” said Dagmar, Farr, senior vice president of member services, FMI. “It was obvious during the bidding process that the Shepard culture specifically addresses the needs of FMI and our exhibitor community by enhancing our FMI 2014 show floor engagement and appealing to all five senses.”
Shepard officials look forward to the challenges presented by such large-scale events.
“Indeed, the event size and prestige present a uniquely collaborative opportunity,” said Richard Maples, vice president of sales, Shepard. “We’re honored to partner with one of the industry’s premier events. And FMI’s dedication to creative innovation dovetails perfectly with Shepard’s ongoing drive to perfect customer-focused experiences.”
Recognized industry-wide as a destination for the latest trends in technologies, services and packaged products, networking and education within the food industry, the FMI conference will return to Chicago, where it hosted the event 24 times since the early 1980s.
The FMI conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its nearly 1,250 food retail and wholesale member companies in the U.S. and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate more than 25,000 retail food stores and almost 22,000 pharmacies with a combined annual sales volume of nearly $650 billion.
FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent operators. Its international membership includes 126 companies from more than 65 countries. FMI’s nearly 330 associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members.
