CGA Gather California
Gather California is the bold new identity for CGA’s signature annual convention. Our new brand celebrates the CGA conference’s unique role in bringing together California’s grocery industry to build new relationships and learn about emerging trends.
Attracting upwards of 800 grocery executives, each year, CGA schedules more than 1,000 in-person meetings, linking retailers to suppliers with a concierge level of service.9/21/25
Bob Reeves, Shelby Publishing; Roger Haddy, Frontier Coop; Chris Herpich, RRD; Adam Salgado, Heritage Grocers Group
Adam Salgado, Heritage Grocers Group, Koko, Certified Federal Credit Union
Twang
Challenge Butter
Josue Castillo, PepsiCo Beverage
Cesar Hernandez, Vilore Foods Co; Mickie Villanueva, MSV Consulting
Robert Ramirez, Bunzl California
Mark Soots, Cathy Barsotti, Barsotti Family Juice Co.
Michael Kircher, Cleanlogic
Lori Brown, Headlite of the Illuminators presented a plaque to Richard Wardwell, Superior Grocers for being the next president of CGA 2026
Victoria Labalme
Victoria Labalme
Keynote Speaker Victoria Labalme
Victoria Labalme is a renowned keynote speaker known for her exceptional ability to elevate communication and connection within organizations. As a motivational speaker, she combines decades of performing arts experience with a results-driven approach.
Victoria Labalme
Bertha Luna, Stater Bros.
Rebecca Calvin, Stater Bros. Emcee for the Emerging Brands Pitch Contest
Panel: Jonathan Galvin, Costco; Aaron Jones, Bristol Farms; Daniel Stirwalt, Stater Bros; Rich Gilmore, Gelsons; Nicole Wilson, Albertsons companies.
Prime Roots
Mari Fassett, Mari Mix Snacks
Mari receiving a golden ticket
HeeSook Alden and Subriana Pierce
Organizers and participants in the Slam Pitch Contest
Navigator Lighthouse Foundation
Mari and Scott Fassett, Mari Mix
MariMix
Chris Herpich, RRD; Adam Salgado, Heritage Grocers Group
John & HeeSook Alden, Certified Federal Credit Union going for the Sushi
Lionel Binnie, Sushi Avenue
Joe Perez, Waste Stream Solutions; Ron Fong, CEO of CGA
Scenes from Gather CGA
Scenes from Gather CGA
Glenn Stewart, The Hershey Co. with Elizabeth Alvarez-Sell, Ajinomoto Foods
Ricky Volpe, Cal Polo San Luis Obispo; Doug Scholz, CGA
Parker Nishi, Melissa's; Rhonda Tagge, Olive Crest with Mr & Mrs Steve Rodriquez, Melissa's
Tom Finn, Richard Wardwell, Superior Grocer with Rhonda Tagge Olive Crest, and Dale Stern, Downey Brands
Gary Vlcek and Koko, Certified Federal Credit Union
Parker Nishi, Melissa's and the Gelson's Team
Scenes from Gather CGA
Scenes from Gather CGA
Scenes from Gather CGA
Cheryl Kennick, City of Hope with Shannon Argyros, Positive Beverage
Scenes from Gather CGA
Silvia and Xavier Pena, XBrands Marketing; Taylor Nakken, Social Sampling, Malena Worthing, Spylt Enterprises
Oskar Wahlback, Commentsell; George Goodwin, Kobu Kombucha Powder
Chris Herpich, RRD; Adam Salgado, Heritage Grocers Group; Roger Haddy, Frontier Coop
Ron Fong and Lori Brown, General Session at CGA
Ron Fong and Lori Brown, General Session
Panel Discussion Michel LeClerc, North State Grocery; Kendra Doyel, Good 4 Less, Mike Madrid, Author of The Latino Century
Michel LeClerc, Kendra Doyel, Mike Madrid
Mike Madrid, Author, The Latino Century
Kendra Doyel, Food 4 Less
Michel LeClerc, CGA Board Chair, North State Grocery
Craig Gottwals, The Mahoney Group
Craig Gottwals, The Mahoney Group
Brent Gleeson, Navy Seal Combat Vertran
Brent Gleeson, Navy Seal Combat Veteran
Brent Gleeson, Guest Speaker Navy Seal
Gary Vleck, Koko, Cheryl Kennick and Steve Weakley
Jared Stead, Dallas Byerley, Vital Farms
Ethan Bell, Lavazza North America, INC
Adam Salgado, Heritage Grocers Group with KOKO from Certified Federal Credit Union