Schedule of Events

The Annual Meat Conference features a program developed by retail meat executive for retail meat executives:

General Sessions

Sunday, March 8, 2009
2:00-3:15PM
Generations, Lifestyles, and the Future of the Meat in Retail
Speaker: Neil Howe, Speaker and Author
Neil Howe, best selling author and national speaker, is a renowned authority on generations in America. Howe’s broadly cyclical perspective, oriented around familiar generational life stories, will put “the long term” into a stunning yet personal focus that you won’t forget. Howe’s presentation focuses on today’s generation and how they will shape this nation’s future. More importantly you will learn how to use this information to market and reach a new generation of consumers. This session is sure to give you practical take home ideas to increase sales.

Sunday, March 8, 2009
3:45-4:45PM
Economics and the Impact on Your Business
Speaker: Steve R. Meyer, Ph.D., President, Paragon Economics
The continued rise in energy costs and market instability are critical factors in understanding economics that affect your business. Dr. Steve Meyer, agricultural economics expert, will present the latest economic trends on livestock and poultry and the impact on retail. Learn to plan for the future as changes in the U.S. economy, trade and consumer behavior affect your operations.

Monday, March 9, 2009
8:00-8:45AM
The Power of Meat: An In-Depth Look at Meat through the Shopper’s Eyes
Speaker: Anne-Marie Roerink, Research Director, Food Marketing Institute
Now in its fourth year, the Power of Meat is research only found at  AMC. Anne Marie will highlight trend data and present key findings, including what customers have to say about the meat case, product and promotion likes and dislikes, COOL labeling, as well as consumer thoughts on meal preparation, grocery shopping and nutrition. Research results will be presented in an actionable format for immediate application within your operation.

Monday, March 9, 2009
2:45-3:45PM
Uncovering the Real Truth on Shopper Behavior in the New Transformational Economy
Speaker: Thom Blischok, President, Consulting and Innovation, IRI
Shoppers are being pummeled from multiple directions by eroding property values, rising credit card debt, unprecedented increases in gas and commodity prices and an unsettling employment picture. Add to this anxiety the rapid increase in the retail price of food and we are faced with a shopper that is fearful, cautious and more reluctant to spend. Is this a temporary blip in the economic landscape or a full blown transformation of the consumer economy? Join us for an up close look at what is on the minds of today’s shoppers and how their concerns are translating into breathtaking shifts in shopping behavior.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Closing General Session
Take Action! Useful Tools and Strategies
Speaker: Michael Sansolo, Principal, Sansolo Consulting
Ensure that you have action plans to convert the ideas that you have learned at this conference into increased sales and sustain your drive for innovation. This session will teach you how to better understand the shopping mindsets that customers bring to your stores or products to help you most effectively build strategies for differentiation and distinction in today's volatile market. Return to your office with the tools to put them into action.

Check back for more information for 2009.