Join your food industry colleagues for three days of advanced learning sessions, pre-scheduled business appointments and the opportunity to reconnect with your peers through relaxed social occasions. Together we will celebrate the strengths of our collective efforts this past year, share key learnings from the recent challenges, and turn our focus to the new strategies for the California grocery industry.
DAILY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Sunday, September 26, 2021
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
THE ILLUMINATORS GOLF TOURNAMENT
What better way to spend Sunday morning than playing one of Palm Springs’ most notable destination courses? Take a swing at one of the generous tee prizes and enjoy lunch, refreshments, and on-course contests, hosted by The Illuminators. All proceeds benefit The Illuminators Educational Foundation and Scholarship Program.
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPEN
Sponsored by Post Consumer Brands
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Opening Experience
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Opening Reception
Sponsored by E. & J. Gallo Winery
Hosts CA GROWN and E & J Gallo Wines welcome members of California’s diverse grocery industry to the CGA Strategic Conference Opening Reception to reconnect with colleagues and network while enjoying food and wines from the Golden State. Food personalities Aida Mollenkamp (Food Network, Salt & Wind) and Kate Ramos (Hola Jalapeno) will be on hand to demonstrate how to create some of the evening’s appetizers and how to pair them with wines. Don’t miss the fun!
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
After Hours Social
Sunday evening’s networking heads outdoors at the After Hours Social. Retire to the picturesque setting of the Renaissance Palm Springs Resort pool for this casual after-hours mixer.
Monday, September 27, 2021
6:30 am - 5:00 pm
Conference Registration Open
6:30 am - 8:00 am
Breakfast
7:15 am - 8:15 am
Whiteboard Sessions
SPEAKERS:
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Opening Remarks and Conference General Session
CGA’s signature General Session features state-of-the-industry addresses from CGA President & CEO Ronald Fong, CGA Board Chair Hee-Sook Nelson, Phil Miller, Immediate Past Chair and The Illuminators Headlite Juan Trillas. Their remarks will be followed by the conference General Session presentation.
10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Pre-scheduled Business Meetings/Conference Exhibit Hall Open
Provided by The Illuminators
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Luncheon
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enterprise Risk Protection Executive Summit (Day 1)
Speakers:
“Looking Through the Curve, Day 1” – Matt Hilbrink, Raley’s
“State of Play – Legislative Update” – Tim James, California Grocers Association
Roundtable Forum – “What’s Keeping You Up At Night” – Lynn Melillo, ARM, Bristol Farms
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Mai Tais Without Ties
Wind down from a productive day by joining your colleagues for a relaxing, tropical-inspired reception and always entertaining Illuminators Special Event. CGA Board members and Illuminator Officers will be working for your tips to benefit industry scholarships while you sip on our mixologist’s inspired craft cocktails.
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
6:30 am - 8:00 am
Breakfast
Provided by The Illuminators
7:30 am - 1:00 pm
Conference Registration Open
Sponsored by Post Consumer Brands
8:00 am - 9:00 am
The Morning Kickoff
Grab your morning coffee and join us for an enlightening presentation by one of the nation’s most respected economists. Learn what’s ahead for labor and employment, real estate and housing markets, inflation and the impact of government stimulus programs.
This morning kick-starter will provide you with the context and perspective to understand both national and California-specific economic issues that have a meaningful impact on your business forecasts.
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Pre-scheduled Business Meetings/Conference Exhibit Hall Open
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Enterprise Risk Protection Executive Summit (Day 2)
Sponsored by RMS, Inc.
“Looking Through the Curve, Day 2” – Lynn Melillo, ARM, Bristol Farms
“Reducing External Threats Through Collaboration” – Victoria Nguyen & Ray Adams, Alto USA
“Cal OSHA –Safety First During Covid” – Louie A. Brown, Jr., Kahn, Soares Conway
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Luncheon
Provided by The Illuminators
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Keynote Luncheon Address
After a delicious lunch provided by The Illuminators, get ready for a mind-expanding presentation that will challenge your thinking about collaboration. One of NYU Stern School of Business’s most popular professors will provide an intriguing and timely diagnosis for the dissonance ailing our world, as well as a path forward towards collaboration, unity, and success.