Members of Utah’s food industry, including retailers and leaders from Associated Food Stores, Associated Retail Operations and others, gathered for the annual Utah Food Industry Association (UFIA) conference, a daylong event focused on emerging trends, economic insights and industry recognition.
The conference opened with the UFIA Board of Directors meeting before attendees gathered in the Meridian Ballroom for the association’s annual meeting.
During the annual meeting, attendees recognized Brandon Peterson of Peterson’s Marketplace for 12 years of service on the UFIA Board of Directors, including his recent role as board chair. CJ Davis of Davis Food & Drug was also thanked for his leadership as chair during the past year. The association then welcomed Mike Holm, owner of The Market at Park City and The Market at Midway, as the new chair of the UFIA Board of Directors, continuing the organization’s focus on advocacy, collaboration and strengthening Utah’s food industry.
A silent auction, open throughout most of the day, provided opportunities for participants to support the association while networking with industry peers.
The educational portion of the conference featured two keynote presentations addressing topics shaping today’s business environment.
Michael Sansolo, a nationally recognized food industry expert and former executive with the Food Marketing Institute, delivered a presentation titled “The ABCs of AI.” Sansolo explored how artificial intelligence is influencing business operations and customer engagement, providing practical insights on how organizations can better understand and apply emerging technologies.
Robert Spendlove presented the conference’s economic outlook session, “Practical Insights to Understand and Succeed in a Changing Environment.” Spendlove shared perspectives on economic conditions and trends affecting businesses, offering attendees tools to navigate an evolving marketplace.
The conference also recognized outstanding individuals and organizations during the annual awards luncheon, a longstanding UFIA tradition that highlights excellence throughout Utah’s grocery and food industries. A highlight was the induction of Scott Hymas, former president and CEO of Terrel’s Grocery, into the UFIA Hall of Fame, one of the association’s highest honors. Hymas was recognized for his longstanding contributions to Utah’s grocery industry and his leadership throughout his career. Family members, friends and industry colleagues gathered as a video tribute chronicled his impact on the food industry and the many relationships he built along the way. A video featuring Scott can be viewed below.
The day’s activities concluded with one of the event’s most anticipated traditions: the Best Bagging Contest. Competitors from across the state tested their speed, accuracy and customer service skills. (See accompanying article.)
The annual conference provides an opportunity for retailers, suppliers and industry partners to connect, learn and celebrate the accomplishments of Utah’s food industry while preparing for the challenges and opportunities ahead.