It’s a Small World for the Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Industry in Orlando

NFRA Convention Brings Together Record Number of Industry Executives

Harrisburg, PA—Over 60 meeting rooms have been reserved by retailers to hold one-on-one business appointments with delegates of the 2006 National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention. Registrations are ahead of last year providing even more opportunities for delegates to make contacts, build relationships and conduct business. The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA), sponsor of the Convention, will hold this year’s event October 7-10, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, FL.

The Convention, themed Making Our Industry a Small World, will open Sunday night, October 8, with the popular Taste of Excellence reception where frozen and refrigerated food manufacturers can showcase their latest products. “Delegates love sampling the products,” says Nevin Montgomery, NFRA President and CEO. “And with all 42 tables sold out months ago, they’ll have a lot of delicious frozen and refrigerated foods to taste.” The Taste of Excellence allows manufacturers to get their products in front of industry decision-makers prior to conducting business meetings during the Convention.

Ann Rhoades, one of the five founding leaders and former Executive Vice President of JetBlue Airways, will open the Monday, October 9, breakfast session. Immediately following the breakfast session, Bob Messenger of The Morning Cup will hold a workshop focusing on the trends that are likely to impact product development and marketing in the future. From category and product analysis to consumer trends and behavior, this session will help delegates better understand the needs of tomorrow’s marketplace.

Also on Monday, delegates can sit with school foodservice directors in an informal roundtable atmosphere to discuss the key issues facing school foodservice operators today. Understanding issues such as feeding healthy meals that kids will eat, purchasing foods that meet health and budget requirements, and advocating for national policies that improve child nutrition programs will help companies be more effective in meeting the needs of the school foodservice industry.

Legendary football coach and ESPN analyst, Lou Holtz will share his touchdown tales and winning strategy for business and personal achievement as the Tuesday, October 10, breakfast speaker. The Convention concludes Tuesday evening with the Grand Awards Reception and Banquet.

The Awards dinner will honor the 2006 inductees into the Frozen Food Industry Hall of Fame: James H. Childers, retired Corporate Director of Merchandising and Procurement of Winn-Dixie Supermarkets; Jack H. Gunn, Jr., Vice Chairman of Allegiance Brokerage Co.; the late F. Gilbert Lamb, founder of Lamb-Weston; and Frederick R. Ruiz, founder and Chairman of Ruiz Foods. The Hall of Fame recognizes those individuals who have made significant contributions to the frozen food industry.

Also during the banquet the 2006 Golden Penguin Awards for March National Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month and the June/July Ice Cream & Novelties promotion will be presented. The Golden Penguin is a symbol of excellence in the promotion of frozen and refrigerated foods. The contest draws hundreds of entries from across the country.

To register, or for more information, contact NFRA at (717) 657-8601 or visit www.nfraweb.org.

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