CHICAGO — IGA here said it is opening its annual Global Summit to all of its members as part of an effort to provide a better networking experience. In the past, only members whose stores had received five-star ratings were invited to the event, but IGA is inviting all members to next year’s Summit, scheduled for March 27-30 in Carefree, Ariz. According to Mark Batenic, chairman, president and chief executive officer of IGA USA, “The IGA Global Summit has always played a major part in carrying out IGA’s longstanding tradition of fellowship. For the 2008 Global Summit, we’ve fostered that element of fellowship with the addition of more networking and learning opportunities.” Rather than a forum where ideas are passed down from speaker to listener, the 2008 meeting will be “a more casual, roll-up-your-sleeves, interactive fusion of general sessions and workshops,” Batenic said. Program details were not yet available, but an IGA spokeswoman said members could get information about attending by contacting Barbara Wiest, IGA vice president of events, at bwiest@igainc.com.

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