INNOVATIONST H E P U B L I C AT I O N F O R T H E G L O B A L M A R K E T D E V E L O P M E N T C E N T E R J U N E 2 0 1 6

INNOVATION CONVERSATIONANSWERSS WHATTS THE FUTURE??

THE GO TO EVENT CONNECTING YOUR COMPANY TO LATEST TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN GENERAL MERCHANDISE AND RETAIL

2016 GENERAL MERCHANDISEMARKETING CONFERENCE

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

SHINES SPOTLIGHT

COLLABORATIVE MEETINGSSPARK INDUSTRY ENTHUSIASM

JUNE 2016

CONTENTSDAY 1 – ‘STATE OF THE INDUSTRY’ NEWS CONFERENCE EXPLORED TRENDS FUELING THE MARKETPLACE

DAY 2 – TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

DAY 3 – NETWORKING

DAY 4 – RAMPED UP FOR SUCCESS

03

04

05

06

BOARDCHAIR’S CHOICE

AWARDSp. 4

IMPACT STATS

general2016M E R C H A N D I S E

M A R K E T I N G C O N F E R E N C E

J U N E 10 - 14C R E A T E . C O N N E C T . C O L L A B O R A T E

2016 general merchandiseM A R K E T I N G C O N F E R E N C E | J U N E 1 0 - 1 4

C R E A T E . C O N N E C T . C O L L A B O R A T E

MEETINGS12,000+ SEC, MOR, CCC

ATTENDEES80 RETAILERS

400 SUPPLIERS

PRODUCT SHOWCASE3,500 SKUs

300 COMPANIES

GMDC REPRESENTS125,000+ RETAIL OUTLETS

$500 BILLION IN RETAIL SALES

GMDC CEO & PresidentPatrick Spear

- 3 -- 3 -

‘STATE OF THE INDUSTRY’NEWS CONFERENCE EXPLORED TRENDS FUELING THE MARKETPLACE

GMDC President and CEO Patrick Spear launched the confer-ence with a virtual news conference. Highlights included:

• GMDC’s Retail Tomorrow Innovation Initiative• B2B Video Exchanges• KOTRA Korean Trade Investment Partnership • CART Retail Tech Relationship• Nielsen Market Research

SECs CONNECT EXECS500 Strategic Executive Connections (SEC) meetings between senior-level suppliers & service/solution companies took place on Friday.

INNOVATION IN EDUCATIONThe Education Leadership Council (ELC) met to dis-cuss new ways to advance GMDC’s research programs and next practices to drive value to sponsors, associa-tion members and the industry as a whole.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE SHINESRetailers and wholesalers discovered new products, promotions and merchan-dise innovations at the product showcase.

- 4 -

CELEBRATING A LIFE OF ACHIEVEMENT

GMDC presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to James Wonderly, former vice pres-ident of grocery non-foods/

general at Ahold USA.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

TAKING CAREOF BUSINESS

James Wonderly(pictured left,

center)

Board Chair’s Choice AwardsGMDC Board Chair Steve Davis of Weiss Markets announced his picks for most innovative items in the Product Showcase.

1. Just for Laughs – Fast Track die cast car line

2. Fit ‘N Fresh Inc. – Fashion lunch bags & accessories to make a statement

3. Boss | Aries – Mini first-aid & personal care kits

WHAT’STHE

FUTURE?

CCCs SPARKPARTNERSHIP

Kevin Coupe of MorningNewsBeat.com lead a lunchtime “Innovation Conversation.”

STORE TOURADVENTURESATTENDEES VISITED:• Sedano’s• Aldi• Five Below

- 5 -

CCCs SPARKPARTNERSHIP

SEC& CCCMEETINGS

- 6 -

RAMPEDUP FORSUCCESS

MARKET ON-RAMP SHIFTS INTO GEARMarket On-Ramp meetings focused on new products, delivering a treasure hunt for retailers and wholesalers while gen-erating a robust selling environment for first-time suppliers and service/solution companies.

JOIN US FOR THE 2017 GENERAL MERCHANDISE MARKETINGCONFERENCE