IGA Education Session Descriptions Released

The NGA Show less than one month away and it's time to set your agenda and plan your education sessions. With IGA co-locating for a fully integrated event, it's easy and convenient for attending retailers to get the most out of their time in Las Vegas.

"We want independent retailers to leave the event with a blueprint for solving the problems they're facing now, and confidence in the fact that IGA and NGA will be here to help them solve whatever problems arise in the future," IGA CEO John Ross says.

Keep reading for details on where you can find Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) sessions and the schedule at a glance for the event, taking place at Caesar's Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from Feb. 26–28.

Education Sessions

On Monday and Tuesday, IGA will host a variety of education sessions on topics including:

Shopper behavior and the ongoing issues of labor and inflation
Finding the right advertising mix for your store
Building shopper loyalty through customer feedback
Cybersecurity
And more

These IGA-sponsored sessions are designed to deliver strategies that work for any independent — not just IGA retailers — and will take place during NGA's regularly scheduled workshop sessions. See below for the session descriptions and find the full schedule at a glance in the next section.

Rebooting Our Destiny: How Independent Grocers are Leveling the Playing Field by Gaining Control of their Businesses through the Adoption of a Modern GroceryOS

Monday, Feb. 27 | 8:45 a.m.

Join IGA CEO John Ross as he explores the smart technology applied to Vori’s B2B grocery operating system that is streamlining and simplifying inventory management and ordering for independent grocers, giving them the control and visibility they need to more easily replenish shelves, manage prices, control inventory, and reduce waste. Hear the vision for how the same tech can solve other obstacles independents face, arming them with the tools they need to become more competitive, profitable, and efficient.

The Future of the Advertising Mix

Monday, Feb. 27 | 9:45 a.m.

Ready to dive into digital advertising but don’t know where to start? Think targeted display ads and television advertising are out of reach for independents? Looking for an advertising plan to help you compete with chains and get noticed by CPGs? Learn how the Independent Grocers Alliance Retail Media Network is using affordable and effective advertising to increase sales and awareness in independent grocery stores across the country and supply the customer and product movement data CPGs want—without exorbitant agency fees.

Exploring the Economic Outlook for the Grocery Industry: 2023 and Beyond

Monday, Feb. 27 | 11:30 a.m.

Inflation, labor, supply chain, increased legislation, block chain, digital currency, ransomware. The threats to independent retailers are relentless. In this general session, IGA CEO John Ross breaks down how these obstacles will impact the grocery industry — both as a whole and the independent sector — this year and in the future, and shares how independents can fight and come out ahead.

Ransomware: The Biggest Threat to Your Business May Be One You Aren’t Even Thinking About

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 2:00 p.m.

Did you know the average ransomware attack costs businesses an average of 15 days downtime? Small, local grocers with busy management, slim margins, and often outdated and vulnerable technology systems are particularly susceptible to a ransomware attack that can shut down the POS and other essential systems and cost thousands—or even hundreds of thousands of dollars—to resume business. Hear why and how cyber criminals target independent retailers, and what simple steps you can take to protect your business in as little as a week.

Build Shopper Loyalty & Improve Store Culture with Multichannel Consumer Feedback

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 3:00 p.m.

Think you have a good understanding of what customers want from your store? Wouldn’t it be better to know you do? Hear firsthand from independent grocery retailers are using multichannel customer feedback—from store assessments and always-available feedback forms to tailored surveys—to gain a deeper understanding of each stage of the customer journey. Learn how this voice of the consumer methodology is being used in operational planning to help store teams identify and fix issues, elevate the buying experience, and ultimately increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and sales.

Taking Control of our Future – Retail Strategies for a Tumultuous World

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 4:45 p.m.

As IGA CEO John Ross details in his Monday session, threats to independent retailers are omnipresent. But it's not all doom and gloom. In this session, Ross details the advanced resources and strategies that are now available to independents, including affordable digital marketing, merchandising strategies for the modern grocery industry, and recruitment techniques that leverage our stores' best assets.

Schedule At A Glance

Independent Grocers Alliance participation denoted with an asterisk (*).

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Time	Event
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.	Technology Summit
1:00–2:30 p.m.	WGA Luncheon
1:00–4:00 p.m.	Financial Symposium
2:45–4:00 p.m.	Snack & See: Creative Choice Campaigns
4:00–5:00 p.m.	Opening Social
5:00–6:30 p.m.	Opening Keynote Session
6:30–7:30 p.m.	IGA Opening Reception*

Monday, February 27, 2023

Time	Event
7:00–8:30 a.m.	Super Breakfast Session: Consumer Trends
8:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 9:45 a.m.	Education Sessions* Rebooting Our Destiny: How Independent Grocers are Leveling the Playing Field by Gaining Control of their Businesses through the Adoption of a Modern GroceryOS The Future of the Advertising Mix
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	IGA General Session* Exploring the Economic Outlook for the Grocery Industry: 2023 and Beyond
12:00–5:00 p.m.	Exhibit Hall Open
5:00–7:00 p.m.	Best Bagger Competition & After Party
6:00–11:00 p.m.	IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony*

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Time	Event
7:00–8:30 a.m.	Super Breakfast Session: Financial & Market Trends
8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.	Exhibit Hall Open
2:00–3:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.	Education Sessions* Ransomware: The Biggest Threat to Your Business May Be One You Aren’t Even Thinking About Build Shopper Loyalty & Improve Store Culture with Multichannel Consumer Feedback
4:00–5:00 p.m.	General Session: Employee Recruitment & Retention
4:45–5:15 p.m.	IGA General Session* Taking Control of our Future – Retail Strategies for a Tumultuous World
6:00–8:00 p.m.	Closing Celebration

IGA Opening After Party

Following NGA's keynote on Sunday, February 26, IGA will host a an opening reception for all Independent Grocers Alliance members. Gather with IGA's close-knit family of retailers, wholesalers, and Red Oval partners in a casual, fun celebration — with an open bar and member awards recognizing retailers for best practices in marketing, advertising, fundraising, and more.

RSVP here

Registration

With so much to learn, along with the opportunity to network and celebrate with fellow independent retailers, the co-located IGA/NGA Show is a must-attend event—at one great price.

Registration gives you admission to everything the event has to offer, including:

Dedicated Independent Grocers Alliance educational sessions
IGA Opening Reception
All NGA events, including educational sessions & show floor access with more than 300+ companies!

If you haven't yet registered, you can do so here.

IGA retailers and wholesalers, use the code "IGA" when registering for $150 off NGA's prevailing registration rate.