Convenience products distributors and suppliers from across the country connected virtually Sept. 21-24 for CDA's 2020 Convenience Distribution Business Exchange (CDBX).
“CDA is fortunate to have a foundation of such depth and breadth, as well as a passionate and dedicated membership,” says Kimberly Bolin, CDA’s president and CEO. “The association draws on strong leadership from the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and all those who serve on the committees and councils. It takes all of these unique individuals and experiences working together providing input and direction to the association’s activities and direction.”
This year’s CDBX, although in an alternate format, still delivered! With over 1,360 one-on-one meetings taking place throughout the week, in addition to the CDBX Welcome Session, CDA's Annual Membership Meeting and the CDBX Closing Session, the event provided valuable information and opportunities to connect.
To the right, Stephenson Wholesale Co. team members prepare to start their meeting.
“CDBX is strategically critical to our c-store success,” says Mike Gilroy, Mars Wrigley. “It allows us to collaboratively bring home the year but also set us up for a successful start to the next year. Mars Wrigley wouldn’t miss this important opportunity to game plan with our business partners so that we can best serve our collective customer and consumer base!”
"We give the CDA accolades for pivoting during the COVID-19 Pandemic to present its annual CDBX in the virtual meeting format!” says Jonathan Burklund, Burklund Distributors. “We consider these meetings to be among our most important efforts of our year, and we always try to have thought provoking conversations. We congratulate the CDA staff, our manufacturer partners and the distributors for keeping the spirit and vision of the Business Exchange in place.”
To the left, Cheyenne International's CDBX team between business exchange meetings.
“We greatly value our partnership with CDA. Every year, my team and I look forward to CDBX,” says Jason Ricard, Mondelez International. “It is a terrific way to engage with all CDA membership. We keep busy with meetings during the entire conference – AND GET A LOT ACCOMPLISHED!”
“SAS looks forward to CDBX each year,” says Kaye Powell, S. Abraham & Sons Inc. “We spend a great deal of time preparing for the meeting to ensure our time spent with each manufacturer is productive. This is an event we don’t want to miss; it is time well spent discussing what’s important for our business and for our retailers.”
To the right, the team at S. Abraham & Sons, Inc. pose in front of the CDBX Welcome Video.
In addition to the week's business meetings, CDA’s Board of Directors and committees discussed the current business climate, its impact on association members and goals for 2021.
2020 CDA Chair Scott Carrico, COO of Richmond-Master Distributors Inc., presided over Monday's Board meeting, where new directors and officers for 2021 were elected. This included the association’s incoming 2021 Chair John Prickette, corporate vice president, sales and marketing, at GSC Enterprises Inc.
Above, Kellogg Co. meets with Eby-Brown Co. during the CDBX business exchange meetings.
“John has served on the CDA Board of directors for nine years, was elected to the Executive Committee in 2019 and also served as co-chair of the Industry Affairs Committee since 2018,” said Carrico. “John’s energy and leadership have been a benefit to the association and those who have served with him. I know his knowledge and experience will be assets as he successfully leads CDA as chair in 2021.”
To the right is Kelly Fulford, General Mills Convenience & Foodservice, at her CDBX Virtual workstation.
"John will take over the chairmanship in 2021, bringing a wealth of industry expertise and experience with him. His calm resolve will serve us well in the unusual times that we find ourselves," said Kimberly Bolin, CDA president and CEO. "John has a keen understanding of the value and importance of healthy relationships between trading partners through his service as Industry Affairs Committee co-chair. This has never been as important as it has been over the last few months when supply and demand have faced challenges. We look forward to John’s leadership in 2021."
"It is an honor to serve as incoming CDA chair alongside an outstanding Executive Committee, Board of Directors, CDA staff and association membership," said Prickette. "This year has created new challenges for all us professionally and personally. CDA continues its leadership in providing resources and support for our essential industry during these uncertain times. I wish to thank all former and current leadership of CDA for the many contributions made to position the association to remain relevant during these times. I am excited about the future."
Above, 2020 CDA Chair Scott Carrico presents incoming 2021 Chair John Prickette with his green jacket.
During the annual membership meeting, Kellie Janssen, Henry’s Foods, Inc., was elected to serve as CDA's first vice chair, putting her in line to succeed Prickette as chair in 2022. Elected second vice chairman was Corey Cooper, Stephenson Wholesale Co. Inc. In addition, Bill Stein, Core-Mark International, was elected as the Executive Committee’s newest member, beginning Jan. 1, 2021. He has been on the Board for six years and is a member of the Education & Research Committee.
CDA extends its sincere thanks to everyone who made this year's CDBX a successful event. We appreciate you taking the time last week to view the How to CDBX Virtual demo and spending time in advance preparing for your virtual meetings. The time you spent preparing contributed greatly to the success of CDBX Virtual. Your support and participation are what makes these meetings so productive and beneficial to the industry as a whole. Thank you!
To the right, incoming 2021 CDA Chair John Prickette accepts his green jacket.
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Winners of the CDBX Scavenger Hunt
CDBX attendees got creative this week and submitted their selfies for the CDBX scavenger hunt. Thank you for your participation, and congratulations to the winners of the $50 gift cards!
- Jason Alexander, Lyons Specialty Co., LLC
- Kenneth Batterton, GSC Enterprises, Inc.
- Jodi Buckner, Lyons Specialty Co., LLC
- April Garver, Southco Distributing Co.
- Mike Gilroy, Mars Wrigley
- Kat Miller, Richmond-Master Distributors, Inc.
- Ali Momenzadeh, Lyons Specialty Co., LLC
- Kaye Powell, S. Abraham & Sons, Inc.
- Chris Smythers, Merchants Grocery Co., Inc.
- Dan Willows, Harbor Wholesale Foods
Contact Kimberly Kissel with any questions.
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Thank You to Our Unsung Heroes
In the
video
below, we recognize you, CDA members, for your steadfast commitment
to this industry and to the vital role you play in our country's supply chain.