The 2008 WGA Community Service Award honorees Gary and Sandy Hanke, Hanke’s Supervalu, Wittenberg, (left; not shown Dale Hanke and Sherry Hersant) and Dave Hegenbarth, Hegenbarth Food Group (middle). David Hervey, MillerCoors, (right) was the 2008 WGA Vendor of the Year. The WGA Community Service Award was a new award offered in 2008. Dale, Gary, and Sandy Hanke, and Sherry Hersant, Hanke’s Supervalu, Wittenberg, and Dave let WGA recognize your efforts by submitting a nomination in 2009! Hegenbarth, Hegenbarth Food Group, are excellent examples of grocers who do an amazing amount of work within their communities. There are many more of you out there like them… let WGA recognize your efforts by submitting a nomination in 2009! David Hervey, MillerCoors, was the 2008 Vendor of the Year; this was another new award offered by the WGA. David’s work with retailers to promote and increase beer category sales and personalized service are second to none. He is an excellent example of a vendor/partner in your business. Alice in Dairyland, Ashley Huibregtse, hosted the Great <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Bag-Off. The first place winner was Jared Seidel, Festival Foods, Marshfield (seated), second place went to Chu Mingyu, Metcalfe Markets, Madison (right) and third place was awarded to Will Cole, Festival Foods, Green Bay (back row.) The WGA Innovation Expo also featured unique talents in our contests, including the WGA Great <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Bag-Off. Congratulation to Jared Seidel, Festival Foods, Marshfield, who bagged his way to the top and became 2008’s Great <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Bag-Off champion. Jared is practicing for his Las Vegas bagging appearance scheduled for the National Bag-Off, February 5, 2009 at the Paris Hotel. The Creative Competition presents bakery and deli projects created to fit a scenario. This year’s theme was a Sweet 16 Birthday Party. All the entries looked like winners to me! Rising to the top were: • Cake Decorating: First Place, Colleen Weller, Trig’s; Second Place, Dawn Hollis, Miller & Sons • Party Platter: First Place, Julie Enerson, Trigs; Second Place, Laura Eyler, Miller & Sons The Trade Show is another great event I love at the Innovation Expo. The hall is filled with friendly vendors showcasing their First Place in Creative Competition for Cake Decoration went to Colleen Weller, Trigs. Trade show vendors presented great products and information at the 2008 WGA Innovation Expo. J&B Group (above), and Lipari Foods (right) were two of the vendors in attendance. A group of Piggly Wiggly associates enjoy the trade show (above right.). products with samples and literature. Vendors include products for every department in a grocery store plus services to help run your business. The trade show is a bundle of fun and a great way to meet vendors and say ‘Hello’ to vendors who you already do business with. The Be Green and Make Gold seminar comprised a panel of experts with years of experience and a wealth of knowledge. The educational seminars at the Innovation Expo are the meat and potatoes of the two-day event. It’s where bright ideas are yours for the keeping. This year the educational segment of the Expo was expanded by the addition of three more seminars. Presentations were included with information on these topics: • PCI Compliance • Drive Traffic to Your Web Site • Be Green and Make Gold • Control Your Expenses • Win the Customer and Not the Argument The overall response from attendees at the 2008 Expo was positively overwhelming 2008 Expo Chairman Tim Metcalfe talked with Don Gallegos, keynote speaker. regarding the amount of information that was available in two days. Plan to attend the WGA Innovation Expo on September 29 and 30, 2009 at the Wyndham Hotel and Convention Center in Milwaukee. It’s been many years since we’ve held the convention in Milwaukee and many grocers have fond memories of conventions past in Milwaukee. We plan to continue to showcase valuable educational seminars, present an exciting trade show and trade contests, and honor individuals with the many awards presented by the WGA. 28 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 2008 Year End Review WISCONSIN GROCER 29