AWMA Sets Dates, Agenda for Third Annual Outlook Forum

FAIRFAX, Va. -- The American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA) announced that its third-annual AWMA C-Metrics Convenience Industry Outlook Forum will take place June 23-24 at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago O'Hare.

Among the highlights of the event will be the industry's first look at 2014 sales projections for core in-store categories, which can provide information and insights in an effort to help companies gain a competitive advantage, according to the association.

Category analysis and exclusive, current sales information and projections will be based on C-Metrics, developed by global intelligence provider InRhythm Inc. InRhythm CEO Viv Penninti will outline this information for attendees during the forum.

"The 2014 Outlook Forum will provide a strategic look at how in-store, warehouse-delivered products are performing today," said Scott Ramminger, president and CEO of Fairfax, Va.-based AWMA.

Providing the keynote speech at the event will be Bonnie Herzog, managing director of beverage, tobacco and convenience store research at Wells Fargo Securities LLC. Herzog will provide an overview of the current state of convenience retailing.

In addition, the AWMA event will offer Category Close-Up informational sessions, where distributors, retailers and manufacturers will receive a first-hand look at comprehensive sales data for the c-store industry. Already confirmed as speakers for these sessions are:

• Cigarettes/OTP –- David Bishop, managing partner, Balvor LLC
• E-Cigarettes & Vaping -- Nik Modi, managing director of tobacco, household products and beverages, RBC Capital Markets LLC
• Candy -- Kit Dietz, principal, Dietz Consulting LLC
• Salty & Alternative Snacks -- Steve Montgomery, president, b2b Solutions

“Generated by InfoMetrics and C-Metrics, that data will be an invaluable tool for attendees seeking to maximize the impact of their strategic business and category management decisions,” Ramminger said. “Companies can use the data to generate plans to enhance warehouse turns, reduce item distribution voids and make informed decisions to gain a competitive advantage in the convenience channel.”

The American Wholesale Marketers Association is the only international trade organization that works on behalf of convenience distributors in the United States.

Convenience Store News will serve as a sponsor of the 2014 AWMA C-Metrics Convenience Industry Outlook Forum.