FMI cancels annual trade show in Chicago

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Food Marketing Institute announced Wednesday that it has decided to cancel its annual trade show in Chicago, known as FMI Connect, beginning in 2017.

"At FMI we continue to believe that events designed to bring together the entire food retail industry and their partners for meaningful conversation, education, exploration and networking are desired and needed, but we have concluded these gatherings should occur in a framework that differs from the current FMI Connect design," FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin said in a statement on the FMI website. "We also recognize that in recent years this event has fallen short of achieving the precise formula necessary for meeting today’s industry needs, particularly as the industry continues to change and evolve so quickly."

Sarasin said FMI plans to explore new, focused and more flexible events.

"The industry we serve is learning it must rethink and when appropriate, redesign all aspects of its business, including everything from customer service to checkout, and from the number of items on the shelves to innovative ways of getting products to shoppers," Sarasin said.