Instore - June 2018 - 18
IDDBA '18 and Shaking up the status quo and finding and keeping the right employees among themes of IDDBA '18 by Andy Nelson I n an industry whose sales have been surpassed by foodservice, an industry rocked by the Amazons of the world, disruption is everywhere. At the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association's annual show in New Orleans, the message was clear: to deal with disruption coming at you from the outside, you need to disrupt right back. Disruption was everywhere at IDDBA '18, which enjoyed record numbers of attendees and exhibitors - in the products and discussions on the show floor, in the keynote addresses and Show and Sell talks. Another theme resonating throughout the show was the need to treat employees well and give them the tools to innovate and succeed - an especially important point, attendees and presenters said, in today's tight labor market. Speaker Bill McDermott, SAP's CEO, said in an IDDBA Show and Sell Q and A that he logged 15 miles on the floor during his two days at the show. What he came away with was the sense that "this is the salt of the earth, the people holding this whole country together. I don't think there's an awareness of how important your industry is." But, he said, it has to change. "I believe this industry needs to disrupt itself, fast, or it will get disrupted. Anything that can be disrupted or automated, Daymond John of "Shark Tank" fame shares an IDDBA stage with Rick Findlay, vice president of fresh merchandising for Fresh Thyme. 18 * JUNE 2018 * instore
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