The Food Marketing Institute, Arlington, Va., announced on Jan. 21, during its 2013 FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., that its FMI Show will return to annual frequency beginning next year.

“The historic version of the FMI Show, if re-engineered properly, can become the not-to-be-missed annual focal event and gathering of our industry, because it thrives on real human interaction,” says Leslie Sarasin, FMI's president and CEO.

Fred Morganthall, FMI's chairman, and president of Harris Teeter Supermarkets, said fast changes impacting the industry make it more imperative to have an annual event that can “keep pace with the new technology, advancing developments and industry innovations.

“If FMI executes its plan to grow the breadth and quality of exhibitors, expand the scope of educational offerings, consolidate internal conferences and maximize the creative benefits of co-locating with other shows, the FMI annual gathering will become the single most important event for our industry.”

FMI is examining potential changes to update the event and enhance its appeal, according to Sue Borra, senior vice president, communications. These changes could include everything from altering the show’s name to changing its format. The event will, however, increase its focus on emerging parts of the supermarket business, including prepared foods. A location for the reintroduced FMI Show has not yet been determined.

Source: Supermarket News