Collaborating for Growth

It's no secret that the way trading partners choose to work together can be the difference between success and failure.

As the economy remains unpredictable, consumer behavior remains conservative. Shoppers are savvier, have more channels to shop and more products to choose from. In this competitive environment, manufacturers and retailers are continually seeking new ways to provide consumers with the products and solutions they want and need.

Today's most successful retailers and manufacturers are seeking bold strategies and new tactics to drive growth – together.

From in-store merchandising to mobile marketing, consumers have come to expect the synergies that collaboration among retailers and manufacturers brings to their shopping experience. Today's most successful retailers and manufacturers are seeking bold strategies and new tactics to drive growth – together.

That's why this fall, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) have come together to launch a new event named Collaborating for Growth, Oct. 7-9, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Collaborating for Growth is designed to identify innovative, collaborative strategies that will showcase how retailers and manufacturers can work together to drive tomorrow's business.

Evolving technologies, changing demographics, new marketing strategies and emerging trends are always at play, constantly shaping the marketplace and improving the shopping experience. The secret to differentiation is understanding how manufacturers and retailers can partner in those areas to ignite growth. The Collaborating for Growth conference will demonstrate how the industry can win by homing in on shared approaches to innovation, "big data" and growth analytics, sales and sales promotion, loyalty programs, in-store execution, supply chain management and more.

Senior executives in sales, marketing, merchandising, customer development, supply chain, operations and strategy will gather this fall to discuss and showcase these and other winning strategies.

This highly anticipated event has the potential to shape the entire model of trading partner collaboration, and I look forward to seeing you this Oct. 7-9 in Fort Worth, Texas. Check the GMA website (www.gmaonline.com) for more details and to register.

Pamela G. Bailey
President & CEO
Grocery Manufacturers Association