Conference Program & Schedule
(Subject to Change)
Monday, September 16
10:00 – 11:00 A.M. OPENING CEREMONIES
12:00 NOON OFFICIAL CONFERENCE OPENING
World Trade Center Miami
Location: Conference Area
12:15 – 1:00 P.M. THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF CRAFT PRODUCTS AND SPIRITUOUS BEVERAGES: BE THE BEST!
Location: Conference Area
Speaker: Ricardo Cabrera, Founder & CEO, Craft Dummy Distributors Read Full Bio
Topic: Learn how to build and manage successful global brands by providing innovative business solutions and exceptional logistic services including how to market the most compelling brands in categories that customers covet. Build strong community relationships to facilitate entrance into the U.S. based on understanding the market’s needs. Learn to always act within the best interest of clients and their needs to emerge and establish themselves as industry leaders.
2:00 – 2:45 PM ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FOR CONSUMERS AND THE CHANGING SHOPPER LANDSCAPE FOR GROCERS
Location: Center Stage
Speaker: John Ross, President and CEO, Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) Read Full Bio
Topic: Shoppers are stressed and likely to become more so during the next 12 months. Inflation in food, housing, and energy are forcing shoppers to trade down at the very time they are hoping to eat better, buy higher quality meals for their family, and improve their overall health. IGA CEO John Ross will look at changes in the global and U.S. economies that are creating this dilemma for average Americans and make suggestions for how retailers and brands can modify their store offerings and marketing to keep pace with changing shopper demands. Ross will also examine recruiting and retention strategies for our own associates in light of the same economic and behavioral trends.
3:00 – 3:45 PM KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! – TOP RULES FOR IMPORTING FOOD PRODUCTS INTO THE U.S.
Location: Conference Area
Speaker: Deborah Stern Esq., Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg P.A. Read Full Bio
Topic: The U.S. FDA imposes several health and safety requirements on imported foods that can cause supply chain disruptions and possible exclusion of products from the U.S. marketplace if not met prior to importation. U.S. Customs also imposes greater controls and visibility to ensure there is no forced labor in the supply chain (from crop to shop), along with its role enforcing of long-standing requirements for admissibility, and those factors that impact the duties, fees and taxes owed on imports. This session will provide an overview of key FDA requirements and Customs requirements, including FSVP, foreign facility registrations, tariff classification, country of origin, and customs value, as well as proactive steps to avoid unnecessary surprises when trying to clear food into the U.S.
Tuesday, September 17
10:15 – 11:00 AM TOP 10 TIPS WHEN IMPORTING INTO THE US
Location: Conference Area
Speaker: Jennifer Diaz, Board Certified International Attorney and President, Diaz Trade Law Read Full Bio
Topic: This seminar will provide an overview of the main FDA enforcement actions used. Attendees will learn how to effectively navigate FDA enforcement actions to achieve the best results. This seminar will cover:
- The primary enforcement actions used by the FDA.
- Top 10 Tips When Importing to Ensure Compliance with CBP and FDA
- What to do and NOT do when importing (with real life examples)
- Practical advice regarding HTS classification, customs valuation, country of origin marking, how to exercise reasonable care, and more!
11:15 – 12:00 PM LA FUERZA DEL EMPAQUE PARA IMPULSAR LAS TRANSACCIONES DE COMPRA. APRENDE A DOMINAR EL MOMENTO MÁS VALIOSO DEL MARKETING: LA TRANSACCIÓN DE COMPRA
Ubicación: Área de Conferencias / En Español
Orador: Gabriel Velez, VP, Business Development, Americas, Behaviorally Read Full Bio
Tema: Los principios de un gran diseño de empaque son atemporales, habiendo sido construidos por más de 50+ años (lo que lleva Behaviorally como líder del mercado) para comprender las decisiones humanas en el momento más importante del marketing: cuando ocurre una transacción de compra. En los últimos años se ha logrado un progreso sin precedentes para mejorar la precisión, velocidad y escala con la que se puede validar la efectividad del empaque en cualquier etapa del proceso de diseño. La habilitación por IA del conjunto de productos digitales de Behaviorally ha permitido que la inteligencia de datos que proporcionamos a las marcas líderes mundiales esté a la altura de los complejos desafíos que presentan los entornos minoristas físicos y digitales de hoy. Encontrarán inspiración adicional en esta guía actualizada para construir empaques efectivos que ganen en el punto de venta, informada por un conjunto más profundo y predictivo de datos de comportamiento del consumidor.
12:15 – 1:00 PM FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY: ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND RISK MANAGEMENT OPERATIONAL SOLUTIONS
Location: Conference Area
Speakers: Andrea Orioli(Read Full Bio), Territory Sales Manager East Coast, Bobby Williams(Read Full Bio),VP Sales—North America Business Information; Marcos Carias(Read Full Bio),Economist North America Region, Coface
Topic: This presentation will explore the dynamic economic landscape of the food and beverage industry, focusing on how businesses can achieve growth while mitigating risks. The speakers will delve into the critical role of trade credit insurance and business information in protecting cash flow, enhancing credit management, and fostering secure trade relationships. Attendees will gain insights into practical strategies for leveraging these tools to safeguard their operations and capitalize on growth opportunities in a competitive market as well as a high-level understanding of the industry’s economic outlook.
1:15 – 2:00 PM CÓMO LLEGAR A LA CADENA DE SUMINISTRO EN ESTADOS UNIDOS. EXPERIENCIAS DE ÉXITOS Y FRACASOS
Ubicación: Área de Conferencias / En Español
Orador: Gus Calabro, Executive Director, ABASTO MEDIA Read Full Bio
Tema: Abasto comenzó con una meta clara y convincente: Alcanzar a los empresarios hispanos de alimentos y bebidas que aún no habían sido alcanzados de manera eficiente o sistémica. Estos empresarios y gerentes son productivos y exitosos, pero necesitan más conexiones con otros profesionales de la industria alimentaria para construir una red más grande de relaciones mutuamente beneficiosas. Abasto es la plataforma que hace precisamente eso. Hemos reunido la lista de distribución más grande de entidades individuales que hacen negocios en la cadena de suministro de la industria hispana de alimentos y bebidas. Estas personas son cruciales para ampliar el círculo de influencia para el aumento del comercio. Abasto es el lugar donde estas conversaciones en el comercio pueden comenzar y prosperar.
2:15 – 3:00 PM CUMPLIMIENTO DE LA REGLAS DE LA ADMINISTRACIÓN DE ALIMENTOS Y MEDICAMENTOS DE LOS EE.UU. (FDA)
Ubicación: Área de Conferencias / En Español
Orador: Facundo Ozan Carranza, Senior Regulatory Advisor, Registrar Corp. Read Full Bio
Tema: La Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de los Estados Unidos (FDA), por sus siglas en inglés) ha finalizado oficialmente las siete reglas principales de la Ley de Modernización de Seguridad Alimentaria (FSMA). Estas normas imponen nuevos requisitos a todos los miembros de la industria alimentaria, desde los fabricantes y procesadores hasta los importadores y los agricultores. Algunas fechas de cumplimiento, tales como el requisito de que los establecimientos de alimentos implementen planes escritos de seguridad alimentaria, comenzaron a ser requeridos desde septiembre de 2016. Participe en el seminario de Registrar Corp. para conocer los nuevos requisitos de la norma FSMA de la FDA, incluyendo los requisitos de los Planes de Seguridad Alimentaria, Requisitos de Monitoreo de Proveedores, Planes de Defensa de Alimentos, Programas de Verificación de Proveedores Extranjeros y más.
3:15 – 4:00 PM TRENDS, CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES IN THE IMPORT INDUSTRY
Location: Conference Area
Speaker: Bob Bauer, President, Association of Food Industries (AFI) Read Full Bio
Topic: With more than a century of food trade history, AFI is the authority on the food import industry. Established in 1906, AFI continues to keep its membership in step with industry changes, government regulations, food standards, statistical data and critical FDA-approved training. Actively learning, participating in association activities, and taking advantage of AFI’s benefits will keep you at the forefront of food industry developments. AFI proactively monitors regulatory changes affecting the food import trade. AFI also holds an annual convention and meetings filled with vital information and networking opportunities. Foreign Suppliers AFI membership is open to non-U.S. producers, suppliers, and exporters. An AFI Membership ensures you and your company receive information, representation, arbitration, answers, and value.
Wednesday, September 18
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM SERVING THE NEXT GENERATION
Location: Conference Area
Speaker: Jacqui Ellis, Head of Training & Brand Communications, Shott Beverages Read Full Bio
Topic: Gen Z is predicted to spend more on energy drinks than coffee. This change in behavior is leading to a large number of food service retailers not catering to this new and particular market. Will this lead to a change in who is considered successful in the future?
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SPIRITS
Location: Conference Area
Speaker: Timothy Daniels, Founding Partner, Four Fathers Distillery Read Full Bio
Topic: What makes one brand so different from the other when the same raw material, yeast, is used? How can a simple change in location, climate, temperature, pH, aeration, or any of the other several parameters during fermentation and aging change the entire characteristics of your final product? What are the secrets to bringing out those desirable compounds in rum, bourbon, vodka, and other spirits? These are only some of the questions that will be answered when you attend this “spirited” seminar.
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM TECHNOLOGY’S IMPACT ON THE CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS (CPG) INDUSTRY
Location: Conference Area
Speakers: Oisin Hanrahan(Read Full Bio), Co-founder & CEO, Keychain and Mitch Madoff(Read Full Bio), Head of Retail Partnerships, Keychain
Topic: With artificial intelligence transforming every single industry, the food and beverage space is no exception. Former Angi CEO Oisin Hanrahan saw the pain points that exist within the CPG production ecosystem: With the space shifting from brand-owned manufacturing to outsourcing, finding the right partners has become increasingly challenging for retailers and manufacturers. Join Oisin Hanrahan & Mitch Madoff as they discuss how Keychain, the world’s first true platform for CPG manufacturing, is using AI to change the food and beverage industry and streamline the production process, ultimately bringing better and cheaper goods to store shelves.
