21 Jul Our Southeastern Food Processors Association Convention Is Coming To HHI!
Join us at this beautiful oceanfront resort in Hilton Head Island, SC.
Coming October 18th through the 20th, the latest edition of the Southeastern Food Processors Association (SFPA) Annual Convention. We are launching a new format for this year’s convention that will begin on Wednesday and close on Friday to allow attendees to free up their weekend for extra few days stay at the beach or head home.
“…our learning, networking, fellowship and venue experience will be outstanding for current and potential SFPA members.”
Bob Clooney, Elite Spice
SFPA President
The venue is one of America’s top island vacation destinations, Hilton Head Island and the extraordinary Sonesta Resort in the Shipyard Plantation. Boasting an oceanfront location with on-site restaurants, fitness center, lagoon-style pool, and full-service spa, you will want to bring your spouse or significant other to our convention. There is also easy access to tennis, bicycle rentals and off-site restaurants and entertainment.
Food processors and associate members cover the gamete of national and regional brands who call the Southeast home. From Bush Brothers to Garner Foods, makers of Texas Pete® Hot Sauce and Green Mountain Gringo® Salsa, Sauer Brands, of Duke’s® mayo fame, Mt. Olive Pickles, and McCall Farms (one of America’s largest canned foods companies with multiple brands) as well as House-Autry Mills, Palmetto Processing, Boone Brands, and Moody Dunbar. many more, the SFPA represents a heritage of nearly 80 years of feeding American families.
SFPA Convention locations span the Southeast, offering both insights, fun, and lifelong relationships.
“We’ve been planning our return to the South Carolina coast for a few years and I’m certain that our learning, networking, fellowship and venue experience will be outstanding for current and potential SFPA members,” says SFPA President, Bob Clooney of Elite Spice.
One of America’s top destination Islands, come to Hilton Head Island for our convention.
A special offer to potential new SFPA processor members this year includes a free one-year membership to the association when you attend this year’s convention. It is where you can meet and network with association members and understand the value of you affiliation with our professional organization. Contact Executive Director Kay Rentzel to discuss the free offer.
Author Ray Starling will keynote Thursday morning’s general session at the Sonesta Resort.
Keynoting this year’s general sessions will be Ray Starling, author of the book Farmers vs. Foodies. Being raised on a North Carolina farm helped him build a personal and professional foundation based on faith, leadership, and work ethic. Each morning the general session will include other insightful speakers on real-world challenges and potential solutions for food processors.
The convention’s opening day, on Wednesday, Oct. 18th begins with registration and exhibit set up at 4pm, followed by a welcome reception at the resort’s beach pavilion at 6pm. The much-loved SFPA hospitality suite opens at 9pm.
Thursday, breakfast begins at 7am with the general session beginning at 8am and ending at 11:30 am to make way for members preparing for the convention’s annual golf tournament that begins at 1pm or free time for others. A reception at the resort begins at 6pm followed by the hospitality suite opening at 9pm.
Friday, it’s breakfast at 7am and the general session beginning at 8am and ending at 11:30am. There’ll be plenty of free time for lounging, biking, shopping, or basking in the South Carolina sun. At 6pm the annual benefit auction for SFPA scholarships begins with the annual banquet hosted by the SFPA’s Board of Directors following.
As an SFPA member, your firm can offer your employee’s children the opportunity to apply for an SFPA college scholarship each year. Your management team can access free SFPA University training for food processors. You can also stay up to date on the latest news from our members and on laws affecting the food industry in Washington DC.
Registration is now open so mark your calendars and book your registration and hotel rooms at the beautiful Sonesta Resort at gorgeous Hilton Head Island.
For more information on the SFPA and the benefits of membership, visit our website (SFPAFood.org). For questions about the convention, or exhibiting or sponsoring one of our numerous events, contact Kay Rentzel, Executive Director, or call 717-329-8421.