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 Eighties after I was working at Lehar Gross sales in Oakland, Calif. Lehar Gross sales was a founding and energetic 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 lady. A pricey friendship ensued, and virtually 30 years later, Kristin and I nonetheless take care of one another. After I departed Lehar, I stayed related with NPFDA due to the prodding of Kristin, but it surely wasn’t till I used to be at Foodlinx that I grew to become really concerned.
NPFDA was shaped in 1967 when a bunch of impartial 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 take care of the unique issues of their trade. It was by means of these discussions that the Nationwide Unbiased Poultry and Meals Distributors Affiliation – or “NIPFDA” – got here to be. From that small group of progressive distributors, a brand new technology of impartial distributors emerged. In 1968, solely a yr 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 mirror the developments in right now’s wholesale distribution trade. Then, by membership vote in January 2021, NPFDA revised “poultry” to the extra expansive “protein” to grow to be the Nationwide Protein and Meals Distributors Affiliation. With this essential title 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 widespread 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 part of us. NPFDA gives members the chance to e book lodge rooms within the heart of the motion at our headquarters lodge, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. This is without doubt one of the absolute best 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 Yr. The Showcase supplies patrons and sellers with the chance to make helpful connections.
The annual NPFDA Spring Change is a member favourite. The occasion contains discussions specializing in present matters of curiosity, accompanied by a guided web site tour of a location pertinent to our trade. The Spring Change is a good way to spend high quality time with like-minded folks. This yr’s change will probably 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 gives 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 helpful, that includes participating discussions at our spherical tables, insightful audio system, and a very good alternative for networking and shared experiences.
New members seeking to begin or develop their trade community obtain a 50 p.c low cost on registration. This yr’s occasion will probably be hosted in my hometown of Tucson, Ariz.
Lastly, considered one of NPFDA’s most essential advantages is our annual scholarship program by means of the NPFDA Scholarship Basis. This can be a profit for members of the family of NPFDA member firm workers to use for school or commerce college scholarships. We elevate 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 greater training.
It’s my privilege to serve and lead NPFDA on this yr of expanded development 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 trying 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.
