FMI cancels upcoming conference in Dallas

ARLINGTON, Va. The Food Marketing Institute on Thursday postponed its Future Connect leadership development conference, originally scheduled for May 4 through May 6 in Dallas, on account of the swine flu outbreak.

“It is with a deep regret that, due to the recent influenza outbreak, I share FMI’s decision to postpone our Future Connect and MARKETECHNICS events,” stated Leslie Sarasin, FMI president and CEO. “The increased urgency of the alerts from health officials today and the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services confirmed our decision to not host a large gathering where attendees would be in close proximity. We seek to support their recommended precautions and prevention steps and would not want to contribute to spread of the virus in any way.”

FMI is currently evaluating options for rescheduling the event, the association stated.