2008 World of Food & Fuel Expo Show Floor
The 30th annual Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association convention and the World of Food & Fuel Expo was held April 18-20 at the Knoxville Convention Center. The attendance of so many prominent players within Tennessee’s food industry made for a convention that was full of excitement, enthusiasm and entertainment.
The convention began Thursday night at the Winner’s Circle Dinner, an event honoring TGCSA’s most generous members. Food City hosted companies that were in turn awarded for their participation with TGCSA in all four levels of the convention: advertising in the Convention magazine, sponsoring an event at the convention, registering for convention events and exhibiting in the expo.
On Friday morning the golfers hit the golf course at Egwani Farms for a scramble hosted by the Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation. Friday night guests enjoyed the Casino Party hosted by Coca-Cola. Attendees enjoyed food and cocktails while mingling with each and trying their luck at the casino games.
Saturday morning began with the Opening Breakfast sponsored by Cherokee Distributing, Flav-O-Rich and The Traylor Group. Kroger sponsored the breakfast speaker, Tennessee’s Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.
Following the breakfast, over 60 attendees attended the free education sessions. The sessions included a Food Safety and Product Recall Panel, Introducing Biofuels into the 
Marketplace workgroup and a session on Organized Retail Crime. Afterwards, the Tennessee Lottery sponsored lunch and H.T. Hackney sponsored the speaker - University of Tennessee Athletics Director Mike Hamilton.
At 1:00 pm the doors to the World of Food & Fuel Expo were opened and retailers hit the show floor where 185 booths were in place.
The Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation silent auction was held Friday and Saturday night raising over $8,700 for scholarships.
Saturday night’s Chairman’s Dinner was the highlight of the convention. It began with Sara Lee hosting a reception and continued with the dinner and entertainment. Guests enjoyed a delightful dinner sponsored by Purity Dairies and Associated Wholesale Grocers. After dinner, the association paid tribute to former association executive director Wes Ball who passed away this past summer through speakers and a video montage. Founding TGEF Chairman Dean Dickey honored Wes by inducting him into the TGEF Hall of Eagles.
David Burnett, Houchens Food Group, 2007-2008 TGCSA Chairman, spoke to the evening’s guests about the association’s accomplishments this past year. David was also presented with a portrait generously sponsored by Mayfield Dairy Farms. Danny Patterson, Cox Oil Co. / Little General Stores, was presented the Chairman’s gavel and recognized as the 2008-09 TGCSA chairman of the board. Frank Dill, F&P Foods/Piggly Wiggly, was awarded the prestigious Grocer of the Year award. Mike Potts, Purity Dairies, was awarded the Supplier of the Year award. Following the presentation, Pepsi Bottlers of Tennessee sponsored comedian T. Bubba Bechtol as the entertainment.
On Sunday, TGEF awarded 136 scholarships worth $164,350 to student employees of TGCSA members. Also on Sunday morning Bucky Slagle, Food City was inducted into the TGEF Hall of Eagles, a select group of members who have demonstrated great commitment to TGEF and its causes. Slagle has served as the East Tennessee Golf chairman for the last three years. In those three years, the tournament has raised nearly $140,000 for TGEF. With this induction, the Hall of Eagles now has 28 members.
Corey Spearman of Bi-Lo won the Best Bagger Contest Sunday. Spearman was awarded a $750 scholarship from TGEF, a $250 cash prize from NGA and a trophy. As winner of the state competition, Spearman has a chance to compete at the 2009 National Grocers Association contest in Las Vegas. Best Bagger contestants are judged on speed, proper bagging technique, bag weight distribution, bagging style, attitude and appearance. Individual TGCSA member stores across the state conduct in store competitions and send their winners to the TGCSA annual convention.
The booth award winners were as follows. Best Single Booth: McCartney Produce, Best Multiple Booth: Pepsi and Best Use of Theme: Flav-O-Rich
The 30th annual TGCSA Convention and Food & Fuel Expo was a complete success. Mark your calendars for next year’s convention to be held Thursday, April 16 through Saturday April 18, 2009 at the Knoxville Convention Center. Exhibit contracts are available now by contacting the TGCSA office at (615) 889-0136.
