SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Grocers Association here said the lineup of speakers and panelists at this year's Western Food Industry Expo reflects how quickly the old economy business of grocery retailing is embracing new economy ideas and business models.
The expo is scheduled to be held Oct. 22 to 25 in Las Vegas, and is sponsored by the CGA in partnership with the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, Idaho Retailers Association, Montana Food Distributors Association, Retailer Association of Nevada and the Utah Food Industry Associated.
Jay Walker, president and chief executive officer, Priceline.com, Stamford, Conn., is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. His topic will be "Inventing the Future of Business," and Walker, according to the CGA, "has virtually reinvented retail selling by promoting the earth-shattering idea that shoppers should set the prices they want to pay for goods."
The expo will close with a general session that is scheduled to be addressed by John Stossel, a correspondent for ABC's 20/20. Stossel's topic will be "Pandering to Fear: The Media's Crisis Mentality," and he will discuss why, from Alar to e-coli, "the media ceaselessly hype unrealistic fears, and why readers and viewers fall for it," according to the CGA.
The diversity of topics and speakers at the Expo is intentional, said Peter J. Larkin, CGA president. "In today's fast-paced retail environment, operators must have a broader understanding of trends that directly affect their business. Our programming is intended to stimulate new thinking about our business and get everyone to begin thinking outside the box."