Where bright ideas are yours for the keeping. - Wisconsin Grocers ...

Great ideas can change the world.So get on WGA’s innovativebandwagon and grab a seat.It’s all happening at Madison’s MononaTerrace Convention Center where the WGAwill play host to the second annual Expo onSeptember 30 and October 1.Excitement, energy, and inventive ideas are allpart of the line-up. The Expo bringsinvigorating ideas to Wisconsin grocers andmore educational seminars than ever before.Drop by our trade show with over 80 vendorsand booths.Excitement, energy, andinventive ideas are all partof the line-up.The gorgeous Lake Monona sets the stage andcasts a spell. Expect to be dazzled by new andproven products, the latest trends you canlearn from, and the annual Chairman’sBanquet where you’ll make new friends andreunite with colleagues.Madison, home of the Wisconsin StateCapitol, the University of Wisconsin–Madison,and many governmental, educational andcultural magnets like the Overture Center forthe Performing Arts, is consistently ranked asone of the best places in the country to liveand play.You might say Madison boasts the 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—there’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 effort or beinginventive,” she says. “Those words are exactlywhat the Expo is all about. This is a greatvenue for Wisconsin grocers to come andsocialize, and take home great, hands-on ideasthat they can put to good use.”✷Oh no, these are not yourgrandfather’s seminarsChances are you’ve been to seminars that leftyou hoping for more information. Our Exposeminars will provide you with new ideas thatyou can use—no matter what the size of youroperation or location.WGA’s 2008 Innovative Expo seminars werestrategically selected to put you in the driver’sseat. These are seminars with a wealth ofinformation 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—there’s not doubt aboutit....If you haven’t been toMadison in a while, our cityof lakes may surprise you.✷Get in on the 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 care about doing business with agreen grocery. The following findings maysurprise you. In August 2008, ABC News did apoll that found that 5 years ago the majority ofpeople polled didn’t actively try to ‘go green.’Today, they found that 71 percent of thosepolled said they are trying to reduce theircarbon footprints on the Earth.Competitions• The Great WisconsinBag-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 the YearAwardTrade Show• Meet and minglewith retailers,wholesalers,and vendors.• Sample products,new and proven.• Share yourenthusiasm for thegrocery industrywith colleaguesand family.✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER2008 Convention Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 13