A message from the 2020 CGA Strategic Conference Chair
Hee-Sook Nelson
VP, Team Development & Public Affairs
Gelson’s Markets
The CGA Strategic Conference is one of my favorite industry events every year. It is where industry partners, peers and friends gather to reconnect, learn about emerging trends, share ideas, and strengthen our business partnerships.
As everyone is aware, COVID-19 has brought forth new challenges along with concerns for everyone’s health and safety. With that in mind, we have made the difficult decision to host this year’s Strategic Conference virtually. It was not our original plan, but we are looking forward to unveiling this exciting, new digital version of our highly successful annual conference.
With all we have experienced this year, we will definitely miss meeting in person to share stories, enjoy meals together served by the amazing Illuminators, along with all the little surprises and special touches CGA provides. The good news is that we will be able to keep several of the conference’s marquee attributes – our signature pre-scheduled business meetings and insightful educational program.
This year’s online format presents a few added advantages and new opportunities. The virtual structure allows you to gather all the key decision-makers, buyers, and c-suite executives in one place, regardless of their location. For your convenience, we have also extended the conference program to five days to allow you to weave these important business meetings into your regular work schedule.
This year’s theme, “Building Resilience in Retail,” could not be timelier. We decided on this theme before the pandemic outbreak because the emerging formula for success in retail requires a high degree of adaptability and flexibility. COVID-19 has shown that our industry is up to this challenge. This year’s conference will highlight new ways to build flexible and adaptable organizations, construct more responsive industry partnerships, and discover innovative, agile leadership approaches that connect with today’s workforce.
I am extremely proud of the work our industry and CGA has done together in the face of great adversity and unprecedented times. This is the perfect time for us to come together as an industry and community and focus on our journey forward.
We hope you will join us.
About the California Grocers Association
The California Grocers Association is the premier voice representing all segments of the food distribution industry by providing proactive leadership, education, advocacy, resources, research and information.
Our industry is one of the state’s largest employers and efficiently and responsibly delivers the necessities of life, including food, healthcare products and household goods to Californians statewide. Our mission is to serve and educate our members; engage elected officials, media and consumers in support of the industry; and ensure the public’s trust.
Since 1898, the California Grocers Association has represented the California food industry and is recognized as the industry leader in the areas of government and industry relations, education and communications.
CGA is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing more than 400 retail members operating more than 8,000 food stores in the western United States and approximately 250 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, mass merchandisers, pharmacies, convenience and discount stores.
CGA maintains its member-owned headquarters in Sacramento, California.
To learn more about the California Grocers Association and discover how to become a member, visit www.cagrocers.com.
About The Illuminators
Perhaps no single organization has been impacted more by CGA’s difficult decision to shift our annual gathering of California’s food industry to a virtual conference. As any seasoned conference attendees will attest, The Illuminators are an intricate part of the Strategic Conference’s tremendous success. CGA is committed to working closely with our Illuminator partners in the coming months to explore new and innovative ways to help “spread the lite of good fellowship.” We will update this webpage as decisions are finalized.
And for those unfamiliar with this important and career-building supplier organization, the Illuminators is an organization of vendors and suppliers dedicated to developing and enhancing key relationships within the grocery industry, providing opportunities for education and leadership, and supporting The Illuminators Educational Foundation.
In September 1928, just prior to the annual convention of the California Retail Grocers and Merchants Association, a group of allied tradesmen gathered to consider a plan for improving methods of entertaining at grocery meetings. This plan met with unanimous approval, and during that same month, The Illuminators came into being.
From the start, the roster of membership has been a “Who’s Who” of the leaders in the food industry. There were 51 members the first year, who pioneered the infancy of the organization. One of the principal responsibilities has been to provide fun and relaxation at the annual gathering of grocers.
Leadership
Headlite – Juan Trillias, Bimbo Bakeries USA
Sidelite – Joe Perez, TOMRA Collections Services
Spotlite – Andrea Dimond, Nestle USA
Tailite – Greg Siegel, Idahoan Foods
Advisory Officers – Tracy Lape, Pete & Gerry’s Organic, LLC
Paul Kamholz, Schoeller Allibert US, Inc.
Mark Olenjik, C&H Sugar/ASR Group
Historian – Jim Van Gorkom, NuCal Foods
Many thanks to The Illuminators for their continued, generous support of the CGA Strategic Conference. Learn more about becoming an Illuminator at Illuminators.org.