The SNAXPO exhibit floor, featuring the leading suppliers in the snack food industry opened Sunday afternoon, as industry executives searched for new ideas and services to help their businesses grow. There were also two concurrent educational sessions that focused on managing the cost of commodities and innovations in snack food ingredients.

Monday featured an address by incoming chairman Daryl Thomas, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Herr Foods Inc., the annual State of the Industry report from Information Resources, Inc. and more trade show activity in the Exhibit Hall. Educational sessions featured discussions on new product development and on the important issue of sustainability.

Heather Mayo, vice president-merchandising at Sam ‘s Club, discussed her company’s overall strategy as well as specific issues affecting snack company suppliers, on Tuesday morning before the exhibit hall opened for its final session.

There was a golf tournament Tuesday afternoon, and the convention concluded Tuesday evening with 2nd Annual Tribute to Sponsors & Exhibitors Reception and Gala, which featured “1964 The Tribute,” a nostalgic Beatles show that was then followed by dancing to a local band.

“We had an absolutely outstanding SNAXPO,” reported SFA President & CEO Jim McCarthy, who said members found real value in the presentations and educational programs that were offered and benefited from being able to meet with top suppliers in one place within a three-day period. “Many exhibitors told us they were able to speak with decision-makers who were there to do business,” he said.

SFA Installs New Chairman at SNAXPO

Daryl Thomas, senior vice president for sales and marketing, at Herr’s Foods Inc., was installed as the 2008 SFA Chairman Monday, March 3 during SNAXPO 2008 in San Antonio, TX. Thomas succeeds Tom Dempsey, president, Utz Quality Foods, the 2007 chairman.

Thomas pointed out that the snack food industry generates $26 billion in annual sales and is growing at an average rate of 4.5% every year. While some of the industry’s products date back to the 17th century, he noted that 1,100 new products were introduced last year with 79% bearing “some type” of health benefit claim.

“Our industry represents 70,000 jobs,” he noted. “We pay $1.4 billion in taxes. We contribute heartily to helping the poor and needy, and when disaster strikes, our members respond.” SFA’s more than 400 member companies donate $68 million to charities each year, he said, and are the “backbone” of many local economies.

He urged active member involvement in the association, and said he hopes to build upon the work of Dempsey and other previous chairpersons who helped launch new education initiatives, worked to strengthen the organization’s financial position, and strengthen SFA’s government affairs initiatives. This year, Thomas said he hopes to help broaden SFA’s membership base and increase partnerships with allied organizations.

“Let’s join forces through our association and search out those areas of common need and benefit,” he said. “We’ll all be stronger and better off by working together.”