A record number of grocery professionals expected at GSF West – the largest grocery event in the west!

As soon as you make your way to the show entrance, the latest innovations are curated in the New Product Showcases. Find all the trends and newest products hitting shelves. The top 10 in grocery winners will be judged by a group of trade magazine editors and winners announced Monday. Make your way to the trade floor, with more than 800 companies, more than 90,000 square feet, there are innovations to discover. 

Build quality connections through exclusive retailer meetings using the GSF Show App. Meet face to face with colleagues at free networking events starting at Sunday’s Opening Reception Cocktail, and Monday’s Mix and Mingle cocktail hour by the Insights & Innovations trade show floor. Grab a drink and meet old and new colleagues in the industry. 

Mornings are packed with conference sessions, featuring exclusive only at GSF speakers. Starting Monday morning, there is a grocery panel with US grocery leaders Nancy Lebold, CEO of New Seasons Market and Lauren Redman, CEO and President of Rudy's Markets with Amanda Lai, McMillanDoolittle, who will discuss how they differentiated themselves from the big players, to drive sales and customer loyalty. Nielsen IQ’s Carman Allison will present exclusive data and insights for western grocers Tuesday in the presentation, “Changing the conversation: From Value to Volume.”

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Workshops will follow, with not to miss sessions from Amanda Lai, Director of the Food Industry Practice, McMillanDoolittle, who will provide key trends and winning concepts shaping the industry that will keep independents competitive in the grocery game. There is also a workshop by Gary Sands, CFIG’s SVP around policy updates for members. Attendees can also choose to attend Farm Credit Caanada’s sessions by JP Gervais, chief economist, who will provide a look at the economic factors affecting grocery retailing. There is also a session by Rachel Loui, Ex-Googler, looking at hacking international growth through data big and small. 

For the afternoons, attendees can catch education sessions and sampling sessions from the Insights & Innovations Stage on the trade floor. Don’t miss Maple Leaf Foods’ session by Chef Sam who will createa Crispy Pancetta (featuring VIAU Fantino & Mondello ) Spring Salad. The salad is inspired by the emerging trends in 2024. 

Join the celebration on Monday evening at the gala dinner to catchup with colleagues.

At the gala, some of the West’s best will be feted. This year’s Life Members recipients are: Independent Grocers Dan Bregg (Pattison Food Group) and Scott Mitchell (Market Street Vulcan) and Industry Builders Ian Dickson (Associated Grocers) and  Larry Chmielewski (Associated Grocers).