The snack industry still has time to register or exhibit at SNAXPO 2011, March 20-23 at the JW
Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla.

According to the Snack Food Association, the sponsor of the show, SNAXPO exhibitors and attendees will be part of more than 2,000 industry professionals, including buyers, decision makers and industry leaders from the United States, Latin America, Europe and the Pacific Rim. Whether you’re a small startup or a multi-national corporation, SNAXPO offers educational sessions, speakers and a multitude of networking opportunities for everyone.

The show will kick off on Sunday, with registration from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., committee and board meetings, a Latin American educational track and a welcome reception dinner. Monday will include keynote speaker Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida. In his speech titled “America’s Promise in Uncertain Times,” Bush will share his visionary understanding of the issues about the country’s future. What are the enduring American values that can provide a strong defense against tough economic times? Do today’s current policies-from healthcare to the economy to immigration-reflect those values? And how will these policies shape the Obama administration’s agenda?

In the State of the Snack Food Industry Report, Sally Lyons Wyatt, senior vice president of Chicago-based SymphonyIRI Group, will discuss how consumers and market demands for new products, flavors and packaging are reshaping and transforming the snack food industry. She also will discuss the snack food industry’s performance in 2010 and present the latest industry trends, up-to-date snack food sales data and consumer insights for the major snack food categories.

Also on the agenda are four general sessions designed to outline major trends and issues faced in the snack food industry.

For instance, “Sustainability in the Snack Food Industry” will discuss the ins and outs of sustainability, what it means and how to achieve it. This session will focus on the practical tools available to perform sustainability for profit and how manufacturing practices and other operations can make products and the industry more sustainable. The panel also will share real-world experiences on ways to add millions to the bottom line and better serve your customers.

“Food Law & Regulation Update” will uncover the food safety provisions that are destined to impact the snack food industry. Food law and regulation experts from Hogan Lovells US, LLP will discuss the latest food safety laws, regulations and issues affecting the snack food industry and share how many of today’s manufacturers can prepare for these new requirements.

In “Successfully Implementing a Continuous Improvement Culture,” attendees will find out how continuous improvement fits into the mainstream of how team members should be thinking, how to begin developing continuous improvement culture and what it takes to make it work and sustain it over the long term.

In “Developing & Maintaining Food Safety & Product Quality,” attendees will discuss planning, tools and methods needed to develop and maintain programs to help meet the challenges of maintaining safe manufacturing practices and product quality as well as how to find more effective, efficient and cost-saving ways to stay on track. Also, hear from snack food industry leaders on the Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI) and various audit and inspection programs such as Safe Quality Food (SQF).

Finally, “Innovations in Ingredients” is made up of a panel of ingredient experts who develop innovative solutions needed to meet consumer needs. Find out how food manufacturers are improving the nutritional profile and of their products, as well as lengthening shelf life.

For exhibitor and attendee information, travel arrangements, airfare discounts, registration links, and more, visit www.snaxpo.com.

And don't forget to swing by Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery's booth #721 to pick up a complimentary copy of our February 2011 issue, featuring the 2011 Snack Manufacturer of the Year, Shearer's Foods, Inc.