FMI names new VP industry events

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute on Monday hired Margaret Edgell Core to guide the reinstituted annual event, FMI Connect, the Global Food Retail Experience. As VP industry events, Core will be primarily responsible for developing the breadth and depth of FMI Connect, ensuring the event continues to grow as the dynamic industry platform for all venues and aspects of food retail.

 

“Margaret brings the experience, enthusiasm and inspirational leadership we need to help FMI achieve the vision we have for ensuring our premier events become game-changing experiences for the food retail industry,” stated FMI president and CEO Leslie Sarasin. “FMI members, staff and leadership look forward to Margaret’s guidance as together we help FMI Connect reach its potential as the pivotal industry event.”  

 

Core is a 25-year veteran of association sales and marketing with expertise in brand management, product strategies, event marketing, exhibit sales, program development, advertising and online media sales. She recently ran strategic sales initiatives at the National Apartment Association where she was responsible for increased participation and growth from the supplier community. Over the last two years, she created a year-round sponsorship recognition program, NAA 360°, which resulted in stronger company engagement and financial commitments to NAA. Core also initiated and organized a sales prospecting database and expanded its sales team.

 

Prior to her responsibilities for trade show management and sales at the National Apartment Association, Core spent six years at the Biotechnology Industry Organization as managing director of sales and marketing for the BIO International Convention with more than 1,700 exhibitors, 25,000 private meetings and 20,000 attendees from more than 60 countries. She also served for four years as VP marketing and organizational development at Consumer Electronics Association during a time of transition and growth for that organization’s trade show.

 

Core is an influential marketing and member communications specialist, serving these capacities at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (now LeadingAge); the Optical Society of America; and the former National Food Brokers Association.

 

Core is both a certified association executive, receiving honors by TradeShow Week in 2009 as the Fastest Growing Show owned by an Association and in 2011 by TSNN Event Excellence Awards program as the Best Marketing and Social Media campaign. She is a graduate of Baylor University and received her master’s in association management from George Washington University.