ST. MARYS, Ga. —I’m honored to have been chosen to function the 2024 board chair for the Nationwide Protein and Meals Distributors Affiliation (NPFDA).
My street with NPFDA began again within the late Nineteen Eighties once I was working at Lehar Gross sales in Oakland, Calif. Lehar Gross sales was a founding and lively member of NPFDA. Within the mid-Nineties, Lehar’s Bob Gaddini despatched me to an Urner Barry Convention in Las Vegas. He known as Kristin McWhorter, who was the chief director of NPFDA on the time and requested her to take care of his woman. An expensive friendship ensued, and nearly 30 years later, Kristin and I nonetheless take care of one another. After I departed Lehar, I stayed linked with NPFDA due to the prodding of Kristin, however it wasn’t till I used to be at Foodlinx that I grew to become actually concerned.
NPFDA was shaped in 1967 when a gaggle of unbiased poultry and protein distributors gathered to debate the fast-changing ideas of their enterprise. They knew that there was no group within the nation that might cope with the unique issues of their trade. It was via these discussions that the Nationwide Impartial Poultry and Meals Distributors Affiliation – or “NIPFDA” – got here to be. From that small group of progressive distributors, a brand new era of unbiased distributors emerged. In 1968, solely a 12 months after NIPFDA’s inception, a course of expanded membership started with broad targets structured to embody all segments of the trade. By 1973, membership included distributors from each nook of the U.S. together with members from transportation, processing, packaging, tools, and lots of others.
In January 1993, the group grew to become “NPFDA” – the Nationwide Poultry & Meals Distributors Affiliation – to raised replicate the traits in at this time’s wholesale distribution trade. Then, by membership vote in January 2021, NPFDA revised “poultry” to the extra expansive “protein” to turn into the Nationwide Protein and Meals Distributors Affiliation. With this essential identify change, we’re able to welcome all all through the protein trade.
NPFDA now encompasses greater than 300 member corporations together with distributors, processors, brokers, and allied companies like chilly storage and logistics organizations. NPFDA is dedicated to fostering collaboration, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing inside our membership.
Our three annual occasions are rewarding and in style venues to kind and nurture these relationships. The NPFDA Annual Conference and Showcase takes place in January concurrently the Worldwide Manufacturing & Processing Expo (IPPE). This January, we had been excited to have over 1,100 attendees be a part of us. NPFDA presents members the chance to ebook lodge rooms within the middle of the motion at our headquarters lodge, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. This is without doubt one of the perfect alternatives for our members to community whereas having fun with our receptions, keynote speaker breakfast, networking zone, and member-hosted hospitality suites and rooms.
Our spotlight occasion, the NPFDA Awards Reception and Silent Public sale, acknowledges our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and our Member of the 12 months. The Showcase supplies patrons and sellers with the chance to make invaluable connections.
The annual NPFDA Spring Trade is a member favourite. The occasion includes discussions specializing in present subjects of curiosity, accompanied by a guided website tour of a location pertinent to our trade. The Spring Trade is an effective way to spend high quality time with like-minded individuals. This 12 months’s change will likely be held on the Legacy Lodge at Lake Lanier in Buford, Ga., and can function a tour of the Georgia Poultry Lab in Gainesville, Ga.
NPFDA’s Fall Assembly presents one other incredible alternative to construct relationships with different members and is at all times hosted at a premier vacation spot. To me, this assembly proves to be extremely invaluable, that includes participating discussions at our spherical tables, insightful audio system, and a very good alternative for networking and shared experiences.
New members trying to begin or develop their trade community obtain a 50 % low cost on registration. This 12 months’s occasion will likely be hosted in my hometown of Tucson, Ariz.
Lastly, considered one of NPFDA’s most essential advantages is our annual scholarship program via the NPFDA Scholarship Basis. It is a profit for members of the family of NPFDA member firm staff to use for school or commerce faculty scholarships. We increase cash to fund these scholarships throughout our Silent Public sale every January on the annual conference and lift donations all year long. In 2023, we had been proud to help six students with their increased schooling.
It’s my privilege to serve and lead NPFDA on this 12 months of expanded progress and alternatives. The partnerships we foster will influence the long-term success of our trade and the individuals who contribute to it.
Right here’s wanting ahead to a incredible 2024!
Laurie Pate, president of Foodlinx in Brentwood, Calif., is the 2024 chair of the Nationwide Protein and Meals Distributors Affiliation.
