Presentedby<strong>the</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong><strong>Grocers</strong> Association,Inc.CreativeCompetitiontoSeptember 30 & October 1MONONA TERRACE, MADISON<strong>Where</strong> <strong>bright</strong> <strong>ideas</strong> <strong>are</strong><strong>yours</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>keeping</strong>.Find out how you can easily go green, howyou can improve your Web site so it’s moreeffective, and how you can stay ahead ofhigh-tech <strong>the</strong>ft. These and many o<strong>the</strong>r Expohighlights <strong>are</strong> just a reservation away.By Sharyn AldenNetworkingOpportunitiesGreat<strong>Wisconsin</strong>Bag-offSpecializedIndustryPresentationsAssociation Updates Central LocationHonorsandAwards12 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
Great <strong>ideas</strong> can change <strong>the</strong> world.So get on WGA’s innovativebandwagon and grab a seat.It’s all happening at Madison’s MononaTerrace Convention Center where <strong>the</strong> WGAwill play host to <strong>the</strong> second annual Expo onSeptember 30 and October 1.Excitement, energy, and inventive <strong>ideas</strong> <strong>are</strong> allpart of <strong>the</strong> line-up. The Expo bringsinvigorating <strong>ideas</strong> to <strong>Wisconsin</strong> grocers andmore educational seminars than ever be<strong>for</strong>e.Drop by our trade show with over 80 vendorsand booths.Excitement, energy, andinventive <strong>ideas</strong> <strong>are</strong> all partof <strong>the</strong> line-up.The gorgeous Lake Monona sets <strong>the</strong> stage andcasts a spell. Expect to be dazzled by new andproven products, <strong>the</strong> latest trends you canlearn from, and <strong>the</strong> annual Chairman’sBanquet where you’ll make new friends andreunite with colleagues.Madison, home of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong> StateCapitol, <strong>the</strong> University of <strong>Wisconsin</strong>–Madison,and many governmental, educational andcultural magnets like <strong>the</strong> Overture Center <strong>for</strong><strong>the</strong> Per<strong>for</strong>ming Arts, is consistently ranked asone of <strong>the</strong> best places in <strong>the</strong> country to liveand play.You might say Madison boasts <strong>the</strong> best of bothworlds—a big-city urban environment coupledwith exceptional outdoor recreationalopportunities and small-town charm oftenassociated with resort communities in ruralsettings.Cheryl Lytle, Events Director with WGA says,“Madison has a buzz—<strong>the</strong>re’s no doubt aboutit. Much of that is due to its vibrancy, andyouthful, stimulating spirit. If you haven’t beento Madison in a while, our city of lakes maysurprise you with its many, new and beautifularchitectural charms.”Lytle encourages WGA member to getonboard and get innovative. “The word‘innovation’ means advanced, modern, animprovement, a pioneering ef<strong>for</strong>t or beinginventive,” she says. “Those words <strong>are</strong> exactlywhat <strong>the</strong> Expo is all about. This is a greatvenue <strong>for</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong> grocers to come andsocialize, and take home great, hands-on <strong>ideas</strong>that <strong>the</strong>y can put to good use.”✷Oh no, <strong>the</strong>se <strong>are</strong> not yourgrandfa<strong>the</strong>r’s seminarsChances <strong>are</strong> you’ve been to seminars that leftyou hoping <strong>for</strong> more in<strong>for</strong>mation. Our Exposeminars will provide you with new <strong>ideas</strong> thatyou can use—no matter what <strong>the</strong> size of youroperation or location.WGA’s 2008 Innovative Expo seminars werestrategically selected to put you in <strong>the</strong> driver’sseat. These <strong>are</strong> seminars with a wealth ofin<strong>for</strong>mation that you can implement and useto help boost your bottom line.Here’s a preview of four WGA seminars. Take aseat and find out how you can better marketand sell your store’s image, motivate your staffto go green, tap into trends that matter most,and prevent fraud at your stores.Madison has a buzz—<strong>the</strong>re’s not doubt aboutit....If you haven’t been toMadison in a while, our cityof lakes may surprise you.✷Get in on <strong>the</strong> buzz—go green!How green is your grocery? Are you buyinglocal produce and staples? Are you offeringincentives to convert to paper versus plasticbags? What do you do with recyclables onyour dock?Maybe you don’t realize how much yourcustomers c<strong>are</strong> about doing business with agreen grocery. The following findings maysurprise you. In August 2008, ABC News did apoll that found that 5 years ago <strong>the</strong> majority ofpeople polled didn’t actively try to ‘go green.’Today, <strong>the</strong>y found that 71 percent of thosepolled said <strong>the</strong>y <strong>are</strong> trying to reduce <strong>the</strong>ircarbon footprints on <strong>the</strong> Earth.Competitions• The Great <strong>Wisconsin</strong>Bag-Off• Creative Competitionto show off talentsin Bakery and DeliPlatter design.MOREEducationalSeminarsTopics include:• PCI Compliance• Driving Traffic to YouWeb Site• Be Green and MakeGold• Control Your Expenses• Supervisor Skills 101• Bakery and DeliTrendsHonors• NEW! CommunityService Award• NEW! Vendor Award• Excellence inOperations Honors• Grocer of <strong>the</strong> YearAwardTrade Show• Meet and minglewith retailers,wholesalers,and vendors.• Sample products,new and proven.• Sh<strong>are</strong> yourenthusiasm <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>grocery industrywith colleaguesand family.✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER2008 Convention Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 13
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