2021 Event Schedule

Business-to-business meetings, professional networking opportunities, and education covering key industry issues.

Upgrade Your Meeting Space

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Morning

9:00 a.m. EST
Ballroom Open

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. EST
Welcome & Opening Keynote with Duncan Wardle

AFFI-CON Keynote Address: Think Differently

OVERVIEW

Duncan Wardle spent over 25 years at the world’s most innovative organization – The Walt Disney Company. While there he learned many important things about building a profitable business and winning creative culture. Using insights and key innovation case studies from his time at Disney as the Head of Innovation and Creativity, Duncan will share his unique Design Thinking process, empowering you to leverage your creative mind and think differently. 

SPEAKER

Duncan Wardle, Former Head of Innovation & Creativity, The Walt Disney Company

Evening

6:00 p.m. EST
Opening reception

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Morning

9:00 a.m. EST
Ballroom Open

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. EST
Annual Meeting & Industry Spotlight

Industry Spotlight: The Power of Frozen in Retail

OVERVIEW

The coronavirus pandemic has been the great accelerator when it comes to the growth of frozen foods at retail, with most frozen food categories maintaining double-digit gains compared to a year ago. Join us for the unveiling of AFFI’s latest business insights to maintain and optimize current and potential purchasing beyond the pandemic.

Key takeaways for attendees:

  • Understand the core frozen food shopper
  • Explore the needs and expectations of consumers who are new to the aisle
  • Understand what frozen food consumers want in terms of package size and variety; new, seasonal flavors; and e-commerce/online food purchasing decisions.
SPEAKERS
  • Moderator: Alison Bodor, President & CEO, American Frozen Food Institute
  • Speakers: Anne-Marie Roerink, 210 Analytics, Principal and Founder; Sally Lyons Wyatt, IRI, Executive Vice President and Practice Leader, Client Insights

Evening

6:00 p.m. EST
Women’s Happy Hour

Friday, February 19, 2021

Morning

9:00 a.m. EST
Ballroom Open

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Cornell Certificate Education

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. EST
Lunch & Learn – Putting the Pieces Together: Three Food Safety Programs Frozen Brands Should Know About

Lunch & Learn

Putting the Pieces Together: Three Food Safety Programs Frozen Brands Should Know About

OVERVIEW

We compare an effective and consistent food safety plan to putting together a puzzle. Most people start with the corners and edges, then fill in the larger pictures, and finally construct the background. In the case of food safety, the legal and regulatory framework are like the corners and edges, defining the boundaries of our actions. The guidelines and best practices offered by government agencies, academic labs, and trade associations correspond to the larger images and finally, the internal standards and policies within your operations complete the picture.

Key takeaways for attendees:

  • Take Advantage of AFFI’s Free Listeria Control Program©
  • Implement a Robust Cleaning and Sanitation Program
  • Implement Microbiological Sampling and Testing Program
SPEAKERS
  • Dr. Donna Garren, Executive Vice President of Science & Policy, AFFI
  • Dr. Sanjay Gummalla, Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs 

Monday, February 22, 2021

Morning

9:00 a.m. EST
Ballroom Open

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Business Meetings

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Cornell Certificate Education

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. EST
Lunch & Learn – Foodservice

Lunch & Learn

Foodservice

OVERVIEW

COVID-19 has forced many in the industry to rethink how they’ve done business year after year. Hear from different sectors in our food chain to learn of the successes, innovations and shortcomings they’ve experienced during COVID-19.

SPEAKERS
  • Ralph Brennan, President, The Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Business Meetings

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST
International Buying Missions

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Morning

9:00 a.m. EST
Ballroom Open

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
International Buying Missions

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cornell Certificate Education

Afternoon

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Business Meetings

Evening

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST
International Buying Missions

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Morning

9:00 a.m. EST
Ballroom Open

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Business Meetings

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
International Buying Missions

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Cornell Certificate Education

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. EST
Lunch & Learn – Growing your Brand with RangeMe

Lunch & Learn

Growing your Brand with RangeMe

OVERVIEW

COVID-19 has changed the way companies do business. We’ve had to constantly think outside the box. AFFI has partnered with RangeMe, the leading product discovery and sourcing platform where retailers and suppliers discover, connect and grow their business. 

SPEAKERS
  • Brandon or Vir, RangeMe
  • Retailer

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Business Meetings

6:00 p.m. EST
PAC Wine Event

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Morning

9:00 a.m. EST
Ballroom Open

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Business Meetings

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Cornell Certificate Education

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. EST
Lunch & Learn – Global Regulations & Trade in 2021

Lunch & Learn

Global Regulations & Trade in 2021

OVERVIEW

A lot has changed in our world in the last year, especially when it comes to regulations and trade. This lunch and learn will feature Julie Cerenzia from Bryant Christie Inc. who will share the latest in the import/export marketplace, non-tariff barriers, traceability and updates on free trade agreements currently under negotiation. 

SPEAKERS
  • Dr. Julie Cerenzia, Director, Research & Information Services, Bryant Christie Group

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Business Meetings

Friday, February 26, 2021

Morning

9:00 a.m. EST
Ballroom Open

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Business Meetings

Afternoon

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Business Meetings

Evening

6:00 p.m. EST
Closing Happy Hour

Cornell University & AFFI’s Executive Leadership Certificate Program

For a small additional fee, AFFI-CON 2021 attendees will have the option to participate in an Executive Leadership Certificate program with Cornell University, Dyson School of Business. Cornell Faculty and thought leaders from the food sector, will share the latest industry research and best practices as well as what opportunities top performing companies are focused on in the near and long term. You will be guided through an individualized action plan that is applicable to the unique opportunities and challenges for your business. The core focus of the series is to help you not just survive but thrive in today’s turbulent and fiercely competitive retail landscape. 

Consumer behaviors have been profoundly reshaped. Supply chains disrupted. Stores and categories turned upside-down. Traditional brand marketing – throw it out the window. The way we work needs to be reimagined. This Cornell University Executive Leadership Certificate Program will help prepare you for the ‘next normal’ for the consumer, CPG and food distribution sectors.

The program consists of five two-hour sessions.

  • Session 1: Retail Beyond – What is the “next normal” for CPG and retail brands?
  • Session 2: Consumer Behavior Today – Learn the why and how behind consumer behaviors, beliefs and purchasing habits that are rapidly changing and how consumers view retailers, brands and product entirely differently.
  • Session 3: Supply Chain Fragility – This session will create scenario planning tools and methods to optimize the supply chain and improve profitability as well as benchmarking data across the retail sector.
  • Session 4: Digital Transformation – This is not just for tech startups. This session will help you develop the digital leadership skills and mindset needed to thrive.
  • Session 5: Future of Farming & Food – A deeper dive into labor issues and new technologies in agriculture. 

Some of the key learnings participants will gain include:

  • Understating the latest thinking on shopper behaviors and implications for innovation, product development and distribution.
  • Why smart companies are paying attention to every element of their value chain, from how they procure raw materials and practice responsible sourcing to reducing waste and providing transparency.
  • Gain insights into the disruption of the retail sector, view of the future and implications for go to market strategies.
  • Technology innovations and their role in challenging retailers to translate the critical elements of a brick & mortar shopping experience to digital. 

If you’d like more information or want to add this to your registration please contact Brynn Hadley, at bhadley@affi.com. Additional fee applies.

International Buying Missions

Food Export, in conjunction with AFFI, will conduct a Frozen Food Buyers Mission at AFFI-CON 2021. This is the perfect opportunity for suppliers of product with at least 50 percent U.S. agricultural origin to meet qualified buyers from around the world.  These buyers of frozen food represent retailers, wholesalers, distributors and foodservice.  

For more information and to request meetings with buyers, click here or contact Food Export USA – Northeast at info@foodexport.org or Activity Coordinator Maureen Coughlin at mcoughlin@foodexport.org.

 We invite you to watch highlights from one of our most popular 2019 sessions about how to properly handle a recall.

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