October 2009

Dear WAFC Members, Illuminators and Friends of the Industry:

I am pleased to invite you to the WAFC’s 89th Annual Convention, April 17-21, 2010 at the world-class JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California.

Our theme is “Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” – and we have an exciting line-up of guest speakers to address this and many other topics critical to our industry. Keynote Retailer speaker, Dan Sanders, chief executive of United Supermarkets, will share his views on what it takes to be an effective leader today. Baseball legend, Jim Abbott, will inspire us with his universal message on beating the odds: ADAPT. As a member of the U.S. Olympic baseball team, despite being born without a right hand, Abbott pitched a complete game leading the U.S. to a gold medal victory over Japan. His major league baseball career spanned ten seasons with four different teams. ConAgra Foods CEO, Gary Rodkin, will share his industry perspectives as our Keynote Supplier speaker. Rhodes Scholar and author of “How We Decide,” Jonah Lehrer, will enlighten us on the rational and emotional parts of the brain that are involved in decision making.

And we are honored to welcome Condoleezza Rice, United States Secretary of State under President George W. Bush as our closing Tuesday keynote speaker. In addition to her impressive accomplishments as a diplomat, Secretary Rice is a highly respected educator, having served as provost of Stanford University prior to her appointment as National Security Advisor during President Bush’s first term. She returned to academic life in 2009 when she re-joined Stanford as a political science professor and a senior fellow on public policy at the Hoover Institution. Few others could provide her insight into the challenges of educating today’s young adults for the complex and unpredictable world of the future.

The WAFC convention, widely anticipated as the best event of the year in the grocery industry, provides a convenient forum for business discussions and the chance to get to know others in the industry. You’ll want to take advantage of the time to reconnect with your industry colleagues. For the ten percent of convention-goers each year who are “first timers,” we promise many opportunities to relax and enjoy the company of old and new friends alike.

And lest we forget: Great music by The Coral Reef Band and Haute Chile…the world-renowned hospitality of the Illuminators…opportunity for pre-scheduled business building meetings…golf…fellowship…and sun, sun, sun!

Tanya and I look forward to seeing you in April in Palm Desert.

Best regards,

Pete Van Helden
President, WAFC