FMI and GMDC Partnering on Health and Wellness Conference

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Global Market Development Center (GMDC) announced plans for the two associations to partner in offering a comprehensive conference in 2013, focused on health, beauty and wellness. The FMI and GMDC event will take place May 31 through June 4, 2013, at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. Food retailers and wholesalers, health and beauty suppliers, pharmacists, dietitians and other health related professionals will come together to explore solutions to meet the broad spectrum of health and wellness needs of consumers. “Consumers embracing the journey of a healthier lifestyle are looking for assistance in pulling together all the various pieces – health, food and nutrition, exercise and appearance – in a way that feels holistically right to them,” said Cathy Polley, RPh, FMI’s vice president for health and wellness and executive director of the FMI Foundation. “Combining the resources of our two associations means we can offer food retailers and wholesalers a stronger, more integrated conference; one that will help them tell a cohesive health and wellness story resonating up and down every single aisle of the supermarket.” GMDC President and Chief Executive Officer Dave McConnell added, “Our health and beauty supplier and retail and wholesale members are excited about the possibilities this conference partnership opens up for the industry. Combining education and resources that wed food and pharmacy, cosmetics and cooking, eating and exercise will result in a cohesive retail experience encouraging a healthier America. As the public perception of health and wellness expands, retailer resources must synergistically connect across a spectrum of services and provide consumers unified guidance whether they are shopping in cosmetics, the produce department or in the pharmacy.”