Supermarket retailers and wholesalers from around the world are coming to Chicago to see the latest products and services the industry has to offer.

The Food Marketing Institute’s FMI Show is reorganized for 2005, and attendees will have more opportunities than ever before to focus on product segment areas that generate growth and profits.

The FMI Supermarket Convention & Educational Exposition, which takes place on May 1 to 3 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL, is expected to draw more than 30,000 attendees. Supermarket retailers and wholesalers from more than 130 countries will receive the latest information on the food industry, see top exhibitors, attend the educational sessions, and sample the newest products to hit the shelves. More than 1,000 exhibitors, including manufacturers of food, nonfoods, technology, and equipment are expected to attend.

The 2005 FMI Show will once again be joined by four other food industry events: The United Produce Conference & Expo; All Things Organic; the Fancy Food Show; and the U.S. Food Export Showcase.

This year’s show floor has been organized into five product segment areas, giving attendees in-depth exposure to the product categories customers want to see in their stores. The categories are as follows:

• Meal Solutions: Includes convenience foods and prepared foods as well as the in-store equipment, supplies, and services to produce them.

• Ethnic Marketplace: Showcases one of the fastest-growing product categories in retailing today, with foods, beverages, and non-food items from around the world.

• Technology: Features fresh item management systems, radio frequency identification, biometrics, forecasting systems, and more.

• General Merchandise/Health and Beauty Care: Cosmetics, bath accessories, pharmacy, home remedy items, and other non-food items.

• General Exhibits: Includes consumer products, capital equipment, b-to-b services, and companies offering multiple product categories.

Along with the show floor, the show’s education program will also be divided into segments. The program, which offers the latest information on the food industry, consumer and general economic trends, and strategies for growing sales and profitability in today’s competitive marketplace, offers a variety of learning opportunities. More than 40 education sessions will follow the theme of “New Ideas Easy to Apply.” There will also be nine “super sessions” addressing key strategic and global industry issues, including the changing business of food retailing, new products, and successful loyalty strategies. The show’s opening session, “Supermarket Industry SPEAKS,” provides a fast-paced look at consumer and trends that are shaping with industry. NP