The American Bakers Association Convention, titled "Enriching Bodies and Lives, " featured commodity expert Jim Bower, who provided guidance to manage ongoing price volatility in the wheat markets; a fortification panel moderated by Judi Adams, president of Ridgway, Colo.-based Grain Foods Foundation and the Wheat Foods Council and is a contributing writer forSnack Food & Wholesale Bakery,who highlighted the successful history of enrichment and the future global opportunities; and former president and CEO of Omaha, Neb.-based Godfather's Pizza, Herman Cain, who energized the crowd with a rousing call to reach for their dreams: "There is no calamity in dying without reaching your goals. The calamity lies in dying without having goals."
Former Walmart chairman Lee Scott's interview with David Orgel ofSupermarket Newsprovided humorous conversation and insight on business issues such as Walmart's business expansion decisions, growing productive supplier relationships and developing sustainability policies that encourage the entire marketplace.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich keynoted the PAC dinner, cautioning that America needed meaningful change to right its course. Encouraging the business community to step up and take action, his theme for the evening was, "first you win the argument, then you win the vote."
In addition, Technomic's Kevin Higar spoke about food trends and how to expand beyond traditional product marketplaces.
The convention took place March 26-30.
