Highlights of IDDBA 18 

More than 10,500 attendees and just shy of 900 exhibiting companies, qualified buyers, merchandisers, executives, manufacturers, brokers, distributors and other industry professionals gathered to connect and learn at IDDBA 18. Held June 10-12 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, the sold-out expo, which played home to nearly 3,000 booths, was a hotbed of activity and innovation.
 

The Show and Sell center presented fresh examples of how businesses can engage and appeal to customers through merchandising ideas, concepts and demonstrations. Trends and research were depicted through displays using real products from sponsors. Leading up to the show, teams of dedicated volunteers donated months of their time and talent to create the amazing merchandising concepts displayed throughout Show and Sell. From doughnut samplings with unique toppings to pairing ideas and customized meal kit options, these concepts helped attendees experience out-of-the-box approaches and learn new ways they can engage shoppers. A taco bar, internationally inspired sandwiches and a fully functioning restaurant were a few highlights from the merchandising idea haven.

A moderated Q&A with ABC's "Shark Tank" "shark" Daymond John, CEO and founder of FUBU, and Rick Findlay, VP of fresh merchandising for Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, were among the various workshops held in the expo's Show and Sell center, which featured an interactive marketplace brought to life through displays and retail concepts highlighting top trends in the merchandising idea hub.

In addition to his general-session keynote presentation earlier in the day, Albertsons President and COO Jim Donald discussed his vision for "The Future of Fresh” during a Show and Sell workshop. "The way we used to merchandise is gone and it's not coming back," said Donald, who discussed a wide range of topics, many pertaining to the rise of technology and the related sweeping implications on consumers, operations and leadership. Successful leaders of the future must be able to leverage social media and be at ease with investors, face-to-face interactions and “people smarter than themselves,” as well as being willing to be surrounded by "a team of rivals—not a team of people saying ‘yes.’ ” In addition, Donald said, “the chief intelligence officer will be the most important executive on the management team.” He added that today’s executives “must have the mindset of a millennial” and the work ethic of boomers. By 2023, Donald continued, corporate offices will be “relics—everything will be mobile.”

What follows are event highlights—as depicted in photos—of attendees, keynote speakers and the expo floor ... 

Meg Major, Winsight Grocery Business; Albertsons President/COO Jim Donald; and Jewel Hunt, group VP of e-commerce for Albertsons.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers discussed how to be a great leader despite what life may throw at you during Sunday's general session. Rick Findlay of Fresh Thyme led the moderated discussion with Rodgers.

Rudy Dory, Newport Avenue Market; Jeff Friedman, Winsight Grocery Business; and Jon Hanley, Nestle Professional.

NFL legends Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell of Super Bakery and Dan and Debbie Shapiro of Krispy Krunchy Foods LLC.

At the Cacique USA booth, Stephen Hewlett of Frank's Piggly Wiggly and Stephanie Dillon of Hy-Vee visited with award-winning chef, TV personality, cookbook author and philanthropist Aaron Sanchez.

Josh Hajnosz and Ben Ferrer of Sheetz check out the wide assortment of flavors in Bubbies Mochi display showcase.

Eric LeBlanc of Tyson and Food Marketing Institute’s Rick Stein.

Jane Case, Martin's Super Markets; Bob Palmateer, Lipari Foods; Amy Simeri McClellan, Martin's Super Markets, Bill Slott, Lipari; and Roxanne Pallo and Tracy Belakovich, both with Martin's.

Tom Boyle (center), Kuhn's Markets, is flanked by WGB's Natalie Taylor and Jody Kudless.

John Quinn of Tyson and Pete Hejny of Supervalu.

Joe Anzaldo, Sherri Handfield, Lauren Johnson and Rudy Dory, all of Newport Avenue Market.

The Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin unveiled a new Wisconsin Cheese brand identity at the 2018 IDDBA Show. The launch encompasses brand-new Proudly Wisconsin Cheese and Proudly Wisconsin Dairy logos, an updated merchandising program, a refreshed website and an educational web series.

WGB's Senior Editor Natalie Taylor and John Becker of Sandridge Food Corp..

"Shark Tank's" Daymond John and Rick Findlay of Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets.