High Attendance Highlights 2024 SFPA Convention In Charleston

14 Nov High Attendance Highlights 2024 SFPA Convention In Charleston

The elegance of a boutique hotel in the heart of one of the South’s great cities made for great memories of the SFPA Convention.

From the moment attendees to the 2024 Southeastern Food Processors Association Convention arrived at the Emeline Hotel in downtown Charleston, SC they knew that this convention would be special. They weren’t disappointed.

“We saw a 32% jump in attendance this year compared to our Hilton Head convention in 2023,” says SFPA Executive Director, Kay Rentzel. With 127 of members and their guests attending, long-time SFPA stalwart and board member, Jack Haddock, said, “There’s something magical about Charleston as a destination for our conventions that always boosts attendance. We need to make the city one that we regularly select as a place to gather our membership.”

Blending Charleston’s heritage with upscale elegance, the Emeline Hotel offered near perfect amenities for an SFPA Convention, with a welcome reception in its courtyard that was quickly filled with chatter of old friends reunited.

General Session Learnings

SFPA President Bob Cloney welcomes members to Charleston during the opening general session.

SFPA President Bob Cloney welcomed attendees to the first day’s general session and heard of great news from Treasurer, Craig Jonkers who reported a strong financial position for the association that assures the longevity of the 82-year-old association of food manufacturers and associates.

Treasurer, Craig Jonkers reports a strong financial position for the SFPA.

The event’s first general session was filled with important information for growing member’s businesses. Led by keynote Chris Kuehl of Amada Corporate Intelligence, the state of the U.S. and world economies was shared ahead of an important Presidential election.

Lowered interest rates by the Federal Reserve have unleashed pent up projects awaiting a downturn in rates. Kuehl noted that most of the growth in projects are expected within the heartland of the SFPA. Kuehl also noted a continued decline in family-owned farms, but production of large corporate farms has increased output.

John Rost, Senior VP of Technology and Global Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs of Crown Holdings spoke on regulatory challenges and food packaging opportunities to members. Rost’s two takeaways covered increased testing activity by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and rising consumer interest in the reliance on imported foods, especially vegetables and fruits.

According to Rost, consumers overwhelmingly prefer foods grown and processed in the U.S.

A unique liquor tasting was part of the day’s general session by local spirits expert, Rod Weaver. Offering just a taste of five spirits, Weaver outlined the distinction of each and shared stories of local distilleries that are a growing part of Charleston’s economy.

Spirits expert Rod Weaver helps members learn about the uniqueness of five liquors.

The second day of general sessions speakers covered work on Capitol Hill by the American Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Processors Coalition from Patrick Firth of Constitution Partners who manages the coalition.

Firth noted this year’s annual “Fly In” to Washington, DC by coalition members to promote U.S. food manufacturer interests related to legislation before Congress.

SFPA Executive Director Kay Rentzel testifies before a Congressional committee on behalf of coalition members.

This year, Firth said elements of the 2024 Farm Bill, Section 232 involving tariffs on Chinese-made tinplate as well as “Buy America” foods as coalition priorities.

Domestic production of essential tinplate for metal cans for food can support only 55% of U.S. food production. The reliance on foreign tinplate that is subject to U.S. tariffs has had a significant impact on food cost inflation. Today, 41% of the cost of a 15oz. can of corn is in the can itself. The coalition and Constitution Partners are asking the Department of Commerce for a tinplate exemption on  foreign imports. Firth also noted that since 2021, the U.S. has become a net food importer. Among fruits and vegetables, imports have risen 10% since 2021.

Break periods enabled suppliers and food processors to share information on their products with potential buyers.

During numerous breaks of  the general sessions, processors and associate members who had secured display space, shared the benefits of their services or products to an attentive and engaged membership. The opportunity to grow awareness leading to a potential sale to a member is an important reason to attend the convention.

Porter Halyburton recounts his seven years as a POW at the Hanoi Hilton as a Vietnam POW.

The second day’s keynote was a seven-year guest at the Vietnam War’s infamous Hanoi Hilton, Porter Halyburton. The former F-4 Phantom Navy pilot who was shot down during a mission shared his experience of communicating with fellow prisoners of war through an ingenious code of tapping on walls of their holding cells to share information with fellow prisoners. His enduring will to return home to his wife and child was an inspiration to all members hearing his message. All attendees to his session were treated to his book on his experience in those tortuous years.

General session attendees received a signed copy of Porter’s book on his captivity.

One of the unique opportunities at a convention is to hear the real-world challenges of a retailer or restaurant chain who are the customers of a food manufacturer. One retailer that all SFPA processor members have shelf space in is Food Lion.

Gene Faller of Food Lion tells of the many challenges facing supermarket retailers today.

Thus, Gene Faller, Food Lion’s Senior Vice President of Center Store Category Management was a perfect speaker.

Food Lion will remodel 315 of its stores in a 24-month period adding more ready-to-cook meals and self-checkouts.

Faller noted plenty of challenges for his company ranging from price inflation, theft, competition, and Hurricane Helene that poured flooding and death within Food Lion’s footprint as only a few he faced. Yet, Food Lion has seen 12 consecutive years of same store sales growth. To face today’s challenges, Food Lion is remodeling stores, building its omnichannel and home delivery infrastructure and deepening relationships with consumer behaviors and needs.

The Winners Of The SFPA’s Employee Child Scholarships Announced

It’s an important benefit of being a member of the Southeastern Food Processors Association. Any member company of the association can share the opportunity of a college scholarship with their employees.

Incoming SFPA President Cecilia Brock of Sauer Company announced the five winners along with a video testimonial by all of the winners to share their excitement of earning a scholarship and their passion for an inspired career.

Winners Included:

Macy Marconi, who is majoring in Engineering at North Carolina State University whose parent is employed at House Autry Mills.

Grace Smith, who is majoring in Nursing at Elon University and whose parent works at M G Newell.

Christopher Weller, who is majoring in Information and Supply Chain Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and whose parent works at Garner Foods.

SFPA Scholarship applications are announced to members through the Food Forum and the SFPA website (www.sfpafood.org) during the spring, so when 2025 applications are opened, be sure to share the opportunity with your employees.

Off-Site Fun

The SFPA’s Hospitality Reception at Hank’s Seafood Social Hall scored well with plenty of drinks and the best in Lowcountry seafood.

The evening of the first full day of the SFPA Convention was extra special and a short walk from the Emeline at famous Hank’s Social Hall adjoining one of Charleston’s top dining choices, Hank’s Seafood Restaurant.

Noted as Charleston’s top Lowcountry seafood restaurant, members bit into the best in locally caught shrimp and luscious oysters as well as multiple creatively prepared appetizers. An open bar led to the energetic banter of friends catching up on the last year and their plans for the year ahead. It was one of the best receptions in recent history for the association.

Hitting The Links At Rivertowne Country Club

Just some of the smiling faces on the links for the SFPA Golf Tournament.

Bush Brothers Todd Schultz is the new 1^st Vice-President of the SFPA Board of Directors. He loves golf and loves to be the annual convention golf tournament. This year 48 players hit the links at the gorgeous Rivertowne Country Club.

Tournament Director Todd Schultz (left) of Bush Brothers congratulates Christian Young of Chesapeake Spice whose team finished in third place of the tournament. Todd Schultz celebrates with two of the second-place team of Alexa Vaugn of Chesapeake Spice and Patrick McKinney of Life Spice. First Place Golf Tourament Team of Jack Haddock, of Crown Holdings on left with Curtis Holmes, of Carolina Process Piping beside Todd Shultz and Linda Schultz.

This year the team of Jack Haddock, Curtis Holmes, Todd & Linda Schultz earned top honors in the tournament, ahead of Alexa Vaugn, Partick McKinney, Nick Hammer, and Tom Thigpen

Third place went to David Beaty, Felix Ho, and Christian Young.

Other winners were Jason Livingston for the longest drive and David Beaty for closest to the pin.

A Banquet No One Will Forget

The SFPA’s Board of Directors always save the best for last at the annual convention and 2024 will hold great memories for a long, long time.

Bob Cloney hands the reigns of the SFPA Presidency to Cecilia Brock.

Outgoing SFPA President, Bob Cloney of Elite Spice thanked members for an opportunity to lead the organization, then handed the reigns to Sauer Foods’ Cecilia Brock. She has been an active supporter of the organization for years and thanked the audience for the top honor of the storied organization.

Ann Garner Riddle, CEO of Garner Foods is presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, then she was escorted back to her table by Matt McCullum, who will assume the role of CEO at the company in January.

Long-time member Marion Swink of McCall Farms then called for another legendary member to join him for a special presentation. After 53 years at Garner Foods, Ann Garner Riddle will step down as CEO of the hot sauce and salsa manufacturer in January. Matt McCullum, past SFPA President who will become the company’s new CEO joined Ann for the presentation of the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, read by Marion to the applauding assembled crowd.

A tally of raffle tickets solid and the finalist winning numbers are drawn. Donna Hughey wins the raffle for lady’s jewelry and lucky Marion Swink shows off his Henry rifle.

This year’s silent auction and raffle raised more than $11,000 dollars for the scholarship fund. Highlighting this year’s raffle of women’s jewelry and a Henry® repeating rifle was the addition of some genuine Tennessee moonshine.

Marion Swink performs an important quality test for the eventual winner of the quart of Tennessee moonshine, Matt McCullum.

After a quick test by Marion Swink proving its quality, Matt McCullum outbid Ann Garner Riddle for the quart. A closing night gathering at the SFPA’s hospitality suites for farewells over a nightcap saw the close of an historic 2024 convention.

Garner Foods representatives gather to celebrate the winning bid in the moonshine raffle.

Your NEW SFPA Board of Directors

The path to SFPA President requires a multi-year commitment to the association. First as a board member, the path takes board members to ascendancy as second, then first vice-president. At an afternoon board meeting prior to the convention, new members were named and later presented to the full membership during a general session for approval that was approved unanimously.

Your New Board Membership for 2024-2025 include:

Cecilia Brock
Sauer Brands
SFPA President

Todd Schultz
Bush Brothers
1^st Vice-President

Rose Timmer
Rose Timmer & Associates
2^nd Vice-President

Calen Butler
Garner Foods
Treasurer

Bob Cloney
Elite Spice
Immediate Past-President

Jack Haddock, Crown Holdings

Gerald Lambert, Garner Foods

Gray Sherrill, M G Newell

Ron Sonntag, Boone Brands

Craig Jonkers, Liventus Company

Mike Williams, Tarrheel Paper & Supply Company

Calin Butler, Garner Foods

Board Advisors

Tony Treadway, Creative Energy

Dr. Scott Whiteside, Clemson University

Executive Director

Kay Rentzel

Mark Your Calendars For October 21-24, 2025

The Embassy Suites, Myrtle Beach, SC.

The next gathering of the SFPA for its annual convention will be in Myrtle Beach, SC at the newly renovated Embassy Suites. This oceanside gem offers plenty of amenities for spare time and ample links for the annual golf tournament. Be sure to mark your calendars for another great gathering.

Ask A Friend In The Food Business To JOIN The SFPA

You’ve witnessed in our coverage of the 2024 SFPA Convention the uniqueness of our organization. It’s like no other for building close and enduring relationships with key decision makers of some of the South’s top food brands. There is the benefit of offering free college scholarships for the children of SFPA member companies. There is an online training program for members called SFPA University and additional insights from speakers at the convention’s general session.

Help us grow by recommending to fellow professionals  in the food business to join the SFPA either as a food processor, and associate member or as a consultant. Then, ask them to go to our website and join. Go to SFPAFood.org.