Industry Intelligence

The 2012 AFFI Frozen Food Convention, presented by the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), has matched the event’s all-time attendance record set two years ago, according to the organization. More than 1,400 members of the frozen food industry met at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego for the annual convention, which this year took place Feb. 18-22. AFFI-CON delegates attended education sessions, networked at social events and held business meetings.

“Our record attendance along with the sold-out meeting and exhibit space, clearly demonstrate the value members of the frozen food industry derive from attending the AFFI Frozen Food Convention,” noted Kraig R. Naasz, president and CEO of McLean, Va.-based AFFI.

David Feherty, former pro golfer and current golf analyst for CBS and The Golf Channel, was the featured speaker at the AFFI Annual Meeting and Keynote Breakfast, and delegates at AFFI-led educational sessions gained insights on a range of key industry topics from a roster of experts.

Education sessions included“Consumer Perceptions and the Price of Food: Perspectives and Outlook for the Frozen Food Industry,” featuring Tish Van Dyke of New York-based public affairs agency Edelman, one who discussed the results of the company’s latest “Field-to-Fork” survey, among other contributors, and “WIPEOUT! A Crash Course in Crisis Communications,” at which principals J. Vander Stoep and Bruce Cordingly of Seattle-based Sound Counsel Crisis Communications provided guidance on how to prepare for, and respond to, a corporate crisis. Sound Counsel has teamed with AFFI to help frozen food companies assess vulnerabilities and develop customized crisis communication plans through the trade group’s Crisis Communications Preparedness Program.

Additionally, convention attendees aided the McLean-based Frozen Food Foundation’s public education and scientific research efforts by taking part in the 5K Fun Run & Walk presented by Green Giant, a brand of Minneapolis-based General Mills, on Feb. 19 and the sold-out Foundation Golf Classic presented by The Pictsweet Co. of Bells, Tenn., at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif., on Feb. 21.

The 2013 AFFI Frozen Food Convention is scheduled for Feb. 23-27, 2013, at the Hilton Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif.