NGA Marks 40 Years of Advocating for Independents at 2022 NGA Show

The 2022 NGA Show, hosted by the National Grocers Association, formally kicked off in Las Vegas Monday, with NGA highlighting its 40th anniversary and four decades of advocating for independent grocers.

"Our last show in September was about looking back and coming together to celebrate this industry after a pandemic that challenged our industry and nation like never before," NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara said in a welcome statement for the event, which is taking place through Tuesday at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. This year’s show, he said, is about looking forward.

"We have heard from many of you about the challenges and pressures you continue to face, including wrinkles in the supply chain and an acute labor shortage, and how you have partnered with NGA to find support and solutions," Ferrara stated. "But that has not stopped you from maintaining a vision for the future—always forward-looking—always planning how you can best support your teams, strengthen your businesses and enrich your communities."

Before the show's official opening, NGA presented the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award to Michael Needler Jr., president and CEO of Fresh Encounter Inc. The award, sponsored by Mondelēz International Inc., is presented annually to an independent retailer that demonstrates tangible examples of persistence, vision and creative entrepreneurship throughout the year, according to NGA. As the president and CEO of Fresh Encounter, NGA said, Needler has demonstrated commitment to the power of culture as a driver of sales and customer loyalty.

The show's opening session saw Ted Balistreri, owner of Milwaukee-based Sendik's Food Market, take over NGA's board chair position from Cub Foods CEO Mike Stigers, who becomes vice chair. NGA said Balistreri will continue NGA’s fight for antitrust reform to "level the playing field" with retail's biggest buyers and ensure that existing antitrust law is enforced.

In addition, NGA announced Monday that three new retailer members are joining the association's board for 2022: Richie Morgan of North State Grocery, Garrett Piklapp of Fareway Stores and Paul Rowton, GES Inc./Edwards Food Giant.

New wholesale members are Richard Chapman, G&C Food Distributors; Steve Henig, Wakefern Food Corp.; Jay Mitchell, Mitchell Grocery Corp.; Bob Obray, Associated Food Stores; and Ray Sprinkle, URM Stores Inc. Two new manufacturer/supplier members were named, as well: Joe Mueller of the Kellogg Company and Casey Fannon of National Cooperative Bank.

Additionally, the board announced these new wholesaler members: Richard Chapman, G&C Food Distributors; Steve Henig, Wakefern Food Corp.; Jay Mitchell, Mitchell Grocery Corp.; Bob Obray, Associated Food Stores Inc.; and Ray Sprinkle, URM Stores Inc.; and these new manufacturer/supplier members: Joe Mueller, the Kellogg Company; and Casey Fannon, National Cooperative Bank.

North State Grocery's Morgan will serve as board treasurer; David Smith of Associated Wholesale Grocers will serve as secretary; and Cheryl Sommer of Kaune's Neighborhood Market becomes immediate past chair.

Sessions on tap for this week's event explore topics ranging from store design and international commerce to omnichannel and artificial intelligence. On Monday, Tulsa, Okla.-based Reasor's shared its experience using meal-planning and shoppable-recipe tools from Grocery Shopii to boost basket sizes and reduce cart abandonment.