Now in its 13th year, the American Meat Institute’s annual Meat Conference provides practical ideas and information that retailers of meat and poultry products can work into their businesses for additional success.

Research findings on consumer purchase and consumption habits will be presented during the conference as well. The data will include consumer attitudes on natural and organic products, preferences for types of meat cuts, and the effect on consumer behavior of packaging, nutrition labeling, and cross-merchandising.

Leadership strategies also will be a point of focus at the conference, with Harold Lloyd, President of Harold Lloyd Presents, offering a presentation titled, “Am I the Leader I Need to Be?”

In this talk, Lloyd plans to share the 10 qualities he believes all great leaders seem to possess, and offer suggestions on how attendees can apply those qualities to their personal and professional lives.

Registration includes access to all events, including research presentations, social events, the always-popular Product Tasting Fair, and unique educational sessions that focus on a wide range of topics.

Sessions include “The Processed Meats Category – Sales and Profitability Trends,” which will focus on how processed meats are changing to meet consumer demand through merchandising, marketing, and product development. Consumers are asking for convenience, quality, value, and variety in the processed meats category, and processors are responding. Another session of note is “The Promotion Puzzle: Getting Real Results,” in which the speaker will share tips on using promotions to create consistent success within the marketplace and then measure that success and get real results.