IFDA Learning Exchanges

What stays the same as the summer IFDA Share Group meeting?
The meeting format of 100% peer-driven agendas to discuss everyday challenges and opportunities will remain the same, as will the focus on the core discipline areas of operations, IT/technology, human resources and finance. The unparalleled networking opportunities will also remain front and center.
 
What’s new in 2023?
We've consolidated the format to accommodate cross-over among many common discussion issues, so while we'll still focus discussions around the core areas, individual disciplines will not be broken out by day as previously done. We have also condensed the meeting to three full days, from the previous four. In addition, registration will not be combined with the IFDA Solutions Conference, but a substantial discount will be applied to those who register for that event. Lastly, there will be no abbreviated Learning Exchange meeting in September.

Who should attend?
Meeting participation is exclusive to professionals at IFDA-member foodservice distribution and redistribution companies to foster open and uninhibited conversation. The June IFDA Learning Exchanges meeting focus is on the core disciplines of operations, IT/technology, human resources, and finance and is best suited for professionals in those fields, but individuals in other fields may also attend. There are no restrictions or requirements on title levels, but participants typically range from manager to vice president. Discussions are generally held around tactical ideas and solutions to everyday challenges and opportunities rather than strategic directions and concepts.

What happens at the meetings?
Participants submit discussion topics upon registration and are then asked to develop a specific list of questions they's like to ask their peers. The IFDA staff liaison will lightly moderate the discussion so everyone gets to ask their questions and each question is allowed robust group discussion. There are no speakers or presentations at these meetings; all participants are expected to participate in the discussions to share their questions, expertise and experience. There will be a networking reception at the end of day one, and breakfast and lunch will be provided throughout the three days. Dinners are on your own, but can often be casually coordinated with other participants.

What is the full Learning Exchanges Program?
We consolidated the various IFDA's Share Group meetings under one umbrella program for a more cohesive approach to these popular forums. The full IFDA Learning Exchanges program consists of one standalone meeting focused on operations, IT/technology, HR and finance in June; one meeting focused on sales and marketing in conjunction with IFDA SMart in July (separate registration tied to SMart); and one meeting focused on transportation held in conjunction with IFDA’s Truck Driving Championship in October (separate registration tied to TDC).

Questions?
Email Annika Stensson.
 

Registration for the June 2023 meeting is closed.

To register for the sales and marketing-focused Learning Exchanges meeting on July 23, select it as an add-on when registering for SMart.

Details on the Transportation Learning Exchanges meeting in conjunction with the 2023 IFDA National Championship will be available soon.

Monday, June 5
8:15 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – noon: Meeting
Noon – 1 pm: Lunch
1 pm – 4 pm: Meeting
4:30 – 6:00 pm: Welcome reception
 
Tuesday, June 6
8:15 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – noon: Meeting
Noon – 1 pm: Lunch
1 pm – 4 pm: Meeting
 
Wednesday, June 7
8:15 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – noon: Meeting
Noon – 1 pm: Lunch
1 pm – 4 pm: Meeting
 

But don’t take our word for it – this is what participants in previous meetings are saying:
 
“As someone who is new to the foodservice industry, I found [these meetings] incredibly beneficial. In my day-to-day, I don’t see the issues faced by Operations and IT. I was able to learn what challenges are present in that area and learn how other companies are addressing them. It was also great to meet other Finance individuals to begin to build a network of individuals who face some of the same challenges that we do.”

• Brenda Schwickerath, controller at Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., in Cedar Falls, IA

“I have to say, that my owners didn’t mention that the size of the share groups would be as comfortably small as they were, but it was a refreshing surprise to be able to be heard ‘by’ my peers, as well as ‘from’ my peers in such a direct way. We were able to share best practices and procedures on many of the topics that were affecting us all on a day-to-day basis. Things from like, finding the right employees for the job, keeping our staffs motivated and engaged; to using the right computer system to fit our needs and its operational fit. Whether we have 70 employees or 700, we all had the same recurring issues and concerns for our businesses and that was encouraging to know we are not alone with these issues in Food Distribution and Operations.”

• Chris Murray, Director of Human Resources at Schiff's Food Service, Inc., in Scranton/Taylor, PA

"[These meetings] are an excellent opportunity to discuss best practices, pain points, and fresh ideas with your peers in a more intimate setting. The moderated discussion keeps the schedule on point, while also broadening the topics with knowledge from the industry. You can expect to walk away with a greater sense of how your KPIs line up industry wide, and new ideas to bring back and implement."

• Jim Hoss, Vice President, Transportation & Operations, Cash-Wa Distributing, in Kearney, NE

IFDA Learning Exchanges will cover a truckload of topics set by participants, such as: