California's Independent Grocers Celebrated a Silver Anniversary at their 25th Annual Educational Conference February 11 - 18
California's Independent Grocers celebrated a silver anniversary at their 25th Annual Educational Conference February 11 - 18 at the Hyatt Resort, Maui. The conference offered a curriculum to help independent grocers improve operational efficiency, increase profitability, and stimulate personal motivation.
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) March 3, 2006
California's Independent Grocers celebrated a silver anniversary at their 25th Annual Educational Conference February 11 - 18 at the Hyatt Resort, Maui. The conference offered a curriculum to help independent grocers improve operational efficiency, increase profitability, and stimulate personal motivation.
Sharon Paxton, Executive Director of the California Independent Grocer's Association (CIGA), welcomed attendees to the conference with a visual presentation highlighting last year's annual event. Ms. Paxton also presented a special recognition to sponsors in attendance, including: John Nash, Acosta Sales; Rich Arnold, Birdseye/C & W Frozen Foods; Dick Kritsky and Vito Urgesi, C & S Wholesale Grocers; Damon Franzia and Mark Thrift, Classic Wines; Marcus Benedetti, Clover Stornetta Farms; Ron Moresco, Moresco Distributing; Joe Falvey and Bob Garibaldi, United Western Grocers; and Art Daniel, Herald Printing.
Bob Davies of High Performance Training, Inc. kicked off the first of three days of professional speaking focused on self-motivation, leadership, improvement of personal and professional performance, and personal health and efficiency. Day two featured Joe Riordan, a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor, who spoke to CIGA members about the importance of financial planning. Katie Riordan of Regis, Inc. shared tips for delivering excellent customer service with specific examples of how to keep staff working above the performance line. Craig Karges, an award-winning entertainer and nationally recognized author and speaker, closed the third day of education with an extraordinary program that blended mystery, humor, psychology and intuition. He challenged CIGA members to question what is real, what is unreal, what is possible and what is impossible.
CIGA members began each day by gaining knowledge and insight from attending sponsors, including: Mark Thrift, Classic Wines of California; Marcus Benedetti, President and CEO Clover Stornetta Farms; Duncan Lamont, Gallo Sales; Rich Arnold, C & W/Birdseye Frozen Foods; and John Nash, Acosta Sales. Rich Arnold and John Nash also provided an in-depth look at the sales and marketing of C & W/Birdseye Brands and shared samples of their newest product -- yogurt power drinks in tropical, strawberry and peach flavors.
Conference attendees enjoyed the ultimate team-building event at the 6th Annual Volleyball Tournament. Team coordinator Brad Mohar of Fiesta and Pacific Markets in Sebastopol divided the group into six teams. With CIGA spectators cheering them on, the first-place winning team included Bob Garibaldi, UWG; Gina Farinacci, Mar Val Food Stores; Jessica Smith, Payless Markets; Dale Downing, Sonoma Market, and Team Captain Mike Stone of Mollie Stone's Markets. Outstanding Player Awards were also presented to Megan Smith; Payless Markets; Martin and Tammy Andrade, Payless Markets; Don Shone, Sonoma Markets; and Nancy Silveria of Fiesta and Pacific Markets.
CIGA's First Vice Chairman, Del Clegg of Cookie Crock Market in Cambria, thanked Damon Franzia and Mark Thrift of Classic Wines for their longtime support of CIGA and its programs. Classic Wines provided a special CIGA Logo on commemorative wine bottles honoring CIGA's 25th annual event for each attendee.
Executive Director Sharon Paxton concluded the event by thanking attendees and sponsors and announcing the next conference January 12 - 20, 2007 at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu. "CIGA members will benefit tremendously in the future from the ideas shared by the extraordinary speakers at these events," said Paxton.
Headquartered in Sacramento, California, CIGA has continued to represent the Independent Retail Food Industry since the early 1900s. Today, more than 1,200 independent grocers and supplier companies make up its membership. CIGA's vision is to be the best possible association by promoting, supporting, educating, protecting and fulfilling the needs of the independent grocer.
For more information, go to www. ciga. org.
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