Supermarket SMARTS, anyone?  We will have over 30 retailers taking this superb training course by industry expert Harold Lloyd in the IGIA office May 3-5 in Urbandale.  IGIA must help educate the next leaders in the Iowa grocery industry, and we found one of the best in the industry to teach it - Lloyd. It has made a transformation in several people’s careers who took his previous courses in 2007, 2008 and 2010.  Just let me show you their testimonials! 

Build With Bags: The original purpose behind a plastic bag recycling program was to head off any plastic bag bans or taxes in Iowa.  After Build With Bags (BWB) was kicked off, it has silenced any effort on plastic bag taxes or bans in Iowa.  In fact, other areas of the country are now requesting details on the BWB program to deal with ongoing taxes and bans. The program is not only getting state-wide recognition, but is often cited by environmental groups across the country as a great voluntary solution.

And, in just a few days, BWB grants will be awarded, totaling nearly $50,000 across the state.  The grants will help buy recycled plastic parks and playground equipment to help reinforce the message that plastic bags can be turned into a positive in the recycling process, and not just a litter and waste headache.

But, what is most satisfying is the willingness for towns, schools, etc. that want to collect plastic bags, and partner with their local grocer or c-store operator to help the BWB goal of doubling the amount of plastic bags recycled over the next two years!

And, one last thing on Build With Bags: We need you to help brand your plastic bag recycling with BWB!  It’s easy- we have posters available that we will ship you free of charge.  Most stores are already recycling plastic bags, and we want you to continue to do so!  Many stores ship the bags back on their grocery trucks to their wholesaler or warehouse, and if you are now, continue to do so.  BWB signs and posters help consumers recognize a brand that the grocery and c-store industry has established for environmental responsibility.  Several of you have called and asked about barrels or wraps that we had available last year. Unfortunately, we do not have them this year, due to the minimum quantity, space and logistics required.   We WANT AND NEED ALL TO SUPPORT BWB. I guarantee it is great, positive publicity for your store and industry!

Scholarship Golf Classic: This annual event will be held May 19 this year in Norwalk, and is the single biggest fundraiser for the Iowa Grocers Education Foundation.  It’s a great way to network, have some fun playing golf and raise money for a great cause - IGIA member kids needing funds to go to college.  We had over 540 apply this year - a new record!  If you haven’t registered yet, fill out the registration form on page 12 in this issue of the Scanner.

Speaking of Scholarships…We will be announcing the 2010-2011 IGEF Scholarship winners and “Piggyback” scholarship winners in the next few weeks. Over $138,000 in scholarships will be awarded, which points out the need to play in the Scholarship Golf Classic!

Convention: Another strong lineup of speakers, and we will have even more to be announced soon!  We will have NGA President & CEO Peter Larkin, as well as FMI Chairman and Hy-Vee CEO Ric Jurgens give us the latest on Health and Wellness, Spindustry founder Michael Bird will “expand your mind” on social media, and give you some real life examples on what you can use in your business shortly after you get back to work from the convention!  So come to Okoboji for some outstanding motivation and learning!

Comunications: Have you looked at the E-Scanner that has been in your e-mail box every other week lately? IGIA members with e-mail get a 2-3 page “quick-hitter” newsletter (the E-Scanner), with links for more in-depth reading, every other week.  Jordan Williams, IGIA’s Communications Specialist, has also added new features to the E-Scanner you will find interesting, such as “Your Hometown Grocer”, “Jerry’s Jargon” and some editorial features.  We also distribute a separate Legislative Update e-mail to all members weekly while the legislature is in session.  We  have a Twitter account, which we have seen with other associations is a great way for members to stay in touch with what is happening, and we have opened a Facebook page; you can easily click on the links in the E-Scanner to follow IGIA!

IGIA will still send a printed newsletter (the Scanner) out every other month, and will not change the schedule of our quarterly iowa grocer magazine.  And, of course IGIA will continue to send out special e-mail alerts as needed.  Remember: www.iowagrocers.com is open 24/7 and is the gateway for information for the Iowa grocery industry!

We believe this will give IGIA members quicker news, and will help IGIA control costs servicing our membership.  If you are not getting the e-mailed product, and would like to, please give us a call so we can get you on the list! 

That’s what we have done for you lately!!