Convenience Distribution Association Reveals Its New Look

FAIRFAX, Va. — The Convenience Distribution Association (CDA), formerly the American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA), debuted its new look — part of its evolution to keep up with a changing industry.

"Our goal was to create an image that reflects the positive and forward-looking philosophy of CDA in a way that can be easily and effectively applied to all of our products and communications vehicles," explained Scott Ramminger, president and CEO of the association. "We believe we have achieved that objective."

The new logo will include the text "Formerly AWMA" during the transition period to the new CDA name. Convenience Distribution Association was chosen to reflect the nature of CDA's members: distributors of a full array of convenience products to primarily the small-format retail segment — including convenience, independent drug and grocery, gift, tobacco, institutional and hospitality customers.

In addition to the new logo, CDA renamed its two major meetings. The AWMA Marketplace & Solutions Expo has been renamed the Convenience Distribution Marketplace. The association's fall meeting, the Summit & AWMA Business Exchange (ABX), has been renamed the Convenience Distribution Business Exchange (CDBX).

CDA is also in the process of developing an online community for its members to connect, collaborate and exchange ideas. The member community has been branded the "Convenience Distribution IdeaXchange" and will foster discussion among groups with a variety of interests, according to Ramminger.

"All of this is part of the association's retooling to effectively lead the convenience distribution industry into the future," he said.

As CSNews Online previously reported, the association's board of directors approved a measure to change the organization's name during its meeting at the 2015 Marketplace & Solutions Expo, which took place in Las Vegas in February.