OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – After two years of virtual events, Kansas City, Kan.-based Associated Wholesale Grocers brought back its Innovation Showcase live and in-person for 2022, and the March 21-23 event didn’t disappoint.
The show began in 2018, with a repeat show in 2019 with live participation. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AWG had a virtual show that year and again in 2021.
“This is the first year back live and we have had a great group of members come,” said Tony Mitchell, AWG's vice president of corporate produce and floral. With entertainment and education sessions, the live version of the show was well-received.
“We have a great group of fresh vendors here to support our members and it's a phenomenal event,” Mitchell said. “It is amazing being back in person; it just has been wonderful.”
One exhibitor said the in-person show was valuable.
"It was good to see a lot of the members we haven't seen in a couple of years," said Ryan Easter, who works in national sales for Mountain View Fruit Sales, Reedley, Calif. "Talking about promotions in-person is more impactful than talking about promotions by phone or Zoom meeting; you can see the excitement in people's eyes."
"The show is good because it's all the AWG divisions and all the decision-makers are here," said Mark Filauri, director of sales for Grimmway Farms, Bakersfield, Calif. "They see items that they want in the store, so it's a good opportunity for us to talk to everybody."
The event is based on innovation, Mitchell said. “A lot of these vendors are looking to bring innovative products throughout the whole grocery arena."
The show featured about 18 fresh produce vendors and about 100 total show vendors. Fresh is a big focus of the showcase, he said.
“At Associated Wholesale Grocers, we’re really focusing on fresh — produce, deli, bakery, meat, the perimeter,” he said.
AWG has about 1,200 members representing about 3,300 stores, covering an area of about 30 states in the middle of the country.
The company has a new distribution facility in St. Cloud, Minn., which is supplying center store needs for the Coborn’s Inc. group. A new perishable facility will be open there by the first of October, Mitchell said. And, in 2023, the company will be adding an “all in one” distribution facility in Tennessee that will feature a high level of automation.
“We have a lot of good stuff happening at AWG and it’s exciting to see all the folks and the excitement around this whole show," he said.
Among new items at the show, vendors talked about sustainable packaging, value-added packs and new varieties, Mitchell said.