For its annual Trade Relations Conference on April 8 at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino, The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) is presenting a lineup of industry experts to speak on the theme “Emerging Technologies & Emerging Opportunities.”
The conference will feature a chat with Joe Fantozzi, president of Allegiance Retail Services (ARS), that will be moderated by Louis Scaduto Jr., president of Food Circus Super Markets.
Fantozzi leads a supermarket cooperative of 130 stores headquartered in central New Jersey under banners that include Foodtown, Pathmark and Shop n Bag. He joined Allegiance in March 2016 as VP of retail/member development and was elevated to VP and CFO in June 2020.
The lineup also includes a panel of experts. David McIntosh, chief connected stores officer at Instacart, will highlight the benefits of the new Caper Cart technology and discuss retail experiences online and in-store.
Nawashi Williams, VP of insight and analytics at Crossmark, will discuss data-driven insights and sales, while Kenny Olson, VP of growth and product strategy, in-store connect at Quad, to discuss effective media within retail stores.
“Advancing technology has touched just about every industry, food being no exception,” said NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty.
“During [the NJFC’s] Trade Relations Conference, our goal is to provide unique insight on how to enhance advancing technology to connect with retailers, vendors and shoppers. Our panel is incredibly well-versed on effective uses of generative technology in our space; participants are eager to hear their insights and success stories.”
In addition, Matt Lipowski, VP of sales at J&J Snack Foods, will receive the Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations Award. Prior to his time at J&J, Lipowski spent 16 years at Bimbo Bakeries leading cross-functional teams in sales operations, customers and revenue growth management.
As vice chair of the leadership development program at NJFC, Lipowski continues to engage with emerging talent in the food industry.
The conference will conclude with a Curtain Closer golf event April 9 at the Galloway National Golf Club.