Last updated on April 18th, 2024
The 141 recipients of Shelby Publishing’s second annual Exceptional Independents Awards (EIA) were recognized March 11 at a reception during the NGA Show at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Accompanied by friends and family, 64 of the honorees were on hand, filling the Summit Room on the show floor.
Addressing the crowd, Shelby VP Publisher Maggie Kaeppel thanked the program’s sponsors – ECRS, LOC Software, C&S Wholesale Grocers and Southern Champion, maker of BuzzBallz – and reminded the gathering that independents are the backbone of the industry and essential to their communities.
She also expressed gratitude for the company’s relationship with NGA, which gave Shelby the platform to host. The awards program, she said, is Shelby’s way of shining a light on these businesses that “continue to help feed our communities.”
Shelby President and COO Stephanie Reid agreed.
“We are very honored by the overwhelming turnout for our second annual EIA event and excited to celebrate our award recipients,” she said. “It is amazing to see all the operators included in this salute and the pride they share in their recognition for excellence.”
The reception was part of the 2024 NGA Show, which continues through Tuesday at the convention center, with countless educational sessions and workshops featuring hundreds of speakers spread across its three-day run.
The recipients of the Exceptional Independents Awards (EIA) were largely retailers, though they varied in size from single-store operators to regional chains. And they came from all corners of the country, California to Connecticut, South Carolina to Missouri and seemingly everywhere in between.
After Kaeppel’s welcome, the sponsors took turns calling the honorees to the stage to receive their awards. Photos and fellowship followed.
Several retailers shared their excitement and enthusiasm for their nominations.
“It is such an honor to be recognized by a well-respected organization in our industry and receive the Exceptional Independents Award. Our team is very proud to receive acknowledgement for our commitment to quality and service to the rural Oklahoma communities we serve. This recognition fuels our determination to maintain our standards of excellence and motivates us to continue innovating and upholding the values that define independent businesses in the grocery industry.” – Nikki Carver, president and CEO of Super C Mart.
“We’re proud to announce that Hayes Market has been named an Exceptional Independents Award Winner by The Shelby Report. This honor showcases Hayes Market’s incredible employees, unmatched customer service, creative marketing, commitment to quality products, and how Hayes Market gives back to the communities it serves.” – Rich Hayes, owner of Hayes’ Market.
Coverage of the award winners will be featured in the March 2024 editions of The Shelby Report – Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, West and Northeast. Awards winners also will be featured on theshelbyreport.com.
