13 Dec Hilton Head Hosts Good Times at the 2023 SFPA Convention!
One of the Southeastern Food Processors Association’s (SFPA) best attended annual conventions in the past half-decade was a fun reunion of some of the South’s top food brands. Held at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island, 123 members and guests gathered for two full days of learning, fellowship, and fundraising for educational scholarships.
SFPA President Bob Cloney of Elite Spice kicks off the first day’s general session.
“We tested a new approach to the convention this year, and I think everyone loved it,” says SFPA President Bob Cloney. “We began the convention on Wednesday and concluded Friday night so that members could head home Saturday morning or spend extra days at one of America’s top beach destinations.” Previous conventions began on Thursday and ended on Saturday night.
SERG Group President Alan Wolf shares the story of his multi-concept restaurant operation on Hilton Head Island.
General session speakers during the convention covered the gamut from consumer trends to new packaging innovations, America’s financial picture to what is fermenting on Capitol Hill that can impact food processors. Members also heard from SERG Restaurant Group’s President, Alan Wolf about the low country’s top multi-concept restaurant operator with 15 different restaurants all operated by a single company.
Keynote speaker Ray Starling, general counsel for the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and author provided some perspective on the question of who will call the shots for the future of farming and food systems in the U.S. and beyond.
Food processors spend time learning about new product solutions from SFPA Associate members during multiple breaks during general sessions.
This year’s SFPA Scholarship winners were announced by the association’s First Vice-President, Cecilia Brock, with $5,500 in scholarships going to five applicants, four of which were children of SFPA member company employees. Winners were Emily Abernathy who will attend Northeast State Community College (Moody Dunbar), Braedan Barrett, attending Maryville College (MG Newell), Grace Smith, a student at Elon (MG Newell), and Christopher Weller, at UNC-Greensboro (Garner Foods). A Food Science Scholarship was awarded to Heather Mohn, a senior at NC State.
Two members of the 1st place golf tourney winners, Marion Plumb of Garner Foods, and Todd Meadows of IPC Packaging & Automation.
2nd Place Team members included Steve DeCorte of Sopako, Thomas Hunter, McCall Farms and Mark Lutgens of Crown Food Packaging.
Thursday’s annual golf tournament saw a significant turn out with prizes going to the top three teams.
Here are the results from this year’s competition:
1st Place
- Chandler Rickman
- Nick Hammer
- Marion Plumb
- Todd Meadows
2nd Place
- Mark Lutgens
- Thomas Hunter
- Eric Crowder
- Steve DeCorte
3rd Place
- Tony Lopez
- Matt McCollum
- Dan Riesenberg
- Cecilia Brock
Longest Drive
- Thomas Hunter
Closest To The Pin
- Patrick McKinney
New board members were welcomed during the convention, including:
2024 SFPA Board of Directors
- Bob Cloney, Elite Spice, President
- Cecilia Brock, Sauer Brands, 1st Vice President
- Todd Schultz, Bush Brothers, 2nd Vice-President
- Craig Jonkers, Liventus, Treasurer
- Matt McCollum, Garner Foods, Immediate Past President
- Jack Haddock, Crown Food Packaging, Member
- Gerald Lambert, Garner Foods, Member
- Gray Sherrill, MG Newell Corp., Member
- Ron Sonntag, Boone Brands, Member
- Rose Timmer, Rose Timmer & Assoc., Member
- Mike Williams, IPS Packaging & Automation, Member
- Tony Treadway, Creative Energy, Advisor
- Scott Whiteside, Clemson University, Advisor
Hayward Garner took home the year’s Henry rifle as part of the benefit raffle for SFPA scholarships.
The annual auction that funds SFPA scholarships raised $10,015, with the raffle for jewelry and the Henry rifle was its usual hit with Hayward Garner taking home the firearm.
Celebration was the theme of a fun night during the annual SFPA Banquet.
Dancing broke out at the conclusion of the convention, celebrating a great time with good friends.
The convention ended with some members donning hilarious outfits for selfies and the deejay turned up the volume on some dance tunes as members hit the floor to celebrate the end of the 2023 convention.
In wrapping up the convention, Executive Director Kay Rentzel sent surveys to attendees and here’s what they had to say…
- “Had an amazing time at the SFPA conference. Thanks so much for making me feel like a long-time member. Thanks again, and I’m looking forward to next year’s event in Charleston.” – Todd S.
- “What a fantastic group. My wife and I had such a nice time at the event and getting to know a few of the members. I look forward to becoming more involved and to attending the event next year.” – Michael D.
- “Great meeting you and the team in Hilton Head, and we are looking forward to the next meeting.” – Steve F.
Hotel Emeline. Home for the 2024 SFPA Convention, Oct. 22–24 in Charleston, SC.
Now is the time to mark your calendars for the next convention coming October 22–24 in Charleston, SC where members will gather at the sheik Hotel Emeline, a boutique hotel located in the heart of Charleston’s downtown shopping district.