SC REG Golf Outing WGA's Grocery Industry 2020
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Wisconsin Grocers Association
10 W. Mifflin Street, Suite 205 • Madison, WI 53703
Page 31 Page 17
Review CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Golf Outing
WGA’s Grocery Industry
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wisconsingrocers.com | Winter Issue 2020
2 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 3
4 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
Winter 2020
WGA Board of Directors
THE PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE 7
Chair
Greg Hansen The year that was—COVID chaos Save the 2021 Dates
Hansen’s IGA, Bangor, WI
Vice-Chair GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS undation
Michelle Harrington Albrecht’s Fo A Day in the Field
Historic elections 8
Day
WG A
Delafield Market, Delafield, WI March 2021
Secretary/Treasurer WGA’s Political Support ProgramFood Safety
9 in the
Milford Hills Hunt Club,
Jeff Tate Watertown/Waterloo
Piggly Wiggly, Watertown, WI
2020 Friend of Grocer Awards 11 Milford, WI
Steve Burkhardt New Faces in Wisconsin 2021-2022 12
Skogen’s Festival Foods, DePere, WI Grocers in the
Greg Cross MEMBER SERVICE UPDATE 14 Capitol Day
SpartanNash, St. Cloud, MN
The time has come April 2021
Diane Guererro Associated Wholesale
Grocers, Kenosha, WI Madison, WI
James Hyland VIRTUAL EXPO REVIEW 17 us
try G
Grocery Industry
ol
Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.
n Grocery Ind
Pallet of Product 19
f O u ti n g
Milwaukee, WI
Live Zoom Booth Trade Show 20 Golf Outing Food S
Bob Jaskolski, T.A. Solberg, Inc.,
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
ns i
Minocqua, WI Awards 24 co
Steve Loehr Kwik Trip,
Wis Evergreen Golf Course,
La Crosse, WI Elkhorn, WI
Jeff Maurer, Maurer's Market, 2020 REVIEW:
Wisconsin Dells, WI Grocers
Kevin Metcalfe Events 26 Innovation Expo
Metcalfe’s Market, Grocers Connected
Madison, WI Tuesday & Wednesday,
Chris Morton UNFI, Pleasant Prairie Marketing 29 October 12 & 13, 2021
Rick Roth Great Lakes Fox Cities Convention
Coca-Cola, Plover, WI Happy to be Part of the Team
Dave Ryman Certco, Madison, WI Center, Green Bay, WI
Dave Spiegelhoff
Foundation 41
Gooseberries, Burlington, WI Foundation
Matt Swentkofske Leadership Institute
Molson Coors, Watch fo r dates and locations
Milwaukee, WI SCORE 31
Don Symonds Wisconsin Industry Golf Outing Review
Lipari Foods, Warren, MI
Dan Williamson Kemps, Cedarburg, WI SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 43
Deb Yerkes
Zone Mechanical North, Franklin,
MEMBER EVENTS 42, 44, 46-48, 51
WGA Staff
President/CEO Member Service
Brandon Scholz Representative Anheuser Busch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 DBS Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 52 Krueger Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Shullsburg Creamery . . . . . . . . . 25, 53
Executive Vice Mark Stellpflug Arctic Glacier Premium Ice. . . . . 30, 43 Federated Insurance. . . . . . . . . . 52, 56 Lifesytle Health Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Sparboe Companies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
President Marketing Associated Wholesale Grocers . . 2, 52 FoxArneson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 43 Lipari Foods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 53 SpartanNash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 53
Michelle Kussow Coordinator Avalara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Grassland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 50 Magnetic Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Trig’s Smokehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Events Director Brittany Knuteson Badger Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 52 Great Lakes Coca-Cola . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Pan-O-Gold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 UNFI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 53
Cheryl Lytle
Bernatello’s Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . 44, 52 H. Brooks & Company/ PinPoint Software/ Valley Cooperative Association . . . . 25
Operations Director J & J Distributing. . . . . . . . . . . 25, 53 Date Check Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 50
Sarah Decorah Certco, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52, 55 Wausau Coated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 54
Crystal Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 KeHE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Prairie Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 53 WGA Business Partners. . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin . . . . 43, 49 Kemps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 53 Professional Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Zone Mechanical North Inc. . . . 48, 53
Klondike Cheese Company. . . . . 43, 52 Russ Davis Wholesale . . . . . . . . . 3, 53
You’ll find updates on COVID-19 in the WGA enews. Or use the WGA COVID-19 Text Line:
• WGA Members may text questions to 608.239.2960
• Text should include: Your Name, Email, Store, and COVID-19 Question • WGA will reply as soon as we can.
Please help us conserve resources. If you are receiving multiple copies or wish to be removed from this mailing list, please EDITORIAL INFORMATION: Publication dates; March, May, August, December. Please submit all press releases and stories to
call the WGA office at 888/342-5942. Brandon Scholz, Publisher, at the Wisconsin Grocers Association; toll free 888/342-5942; fax 608/244-9030. Wisconsin
Grocer magazine is designed by Lorraine Ortner-Blake, ortnerblake@gmail.com.
Wisconsin Grocer is published four times a year by:
Wisconsin Grocers Association, 10 W. Mifflin Street, Suite 205, Madison, WI 53703 • www.wisconsingrocers.com. ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Please submit all advertising material and questions to Cheryl Lytle, Wisconsin Grocers Association,
10 W. Mifflin Street, Suite 205, Madison, WI 53703, call 608/244-7150; fax 608/244-9030; email cheryl@wisconsingrocers.com.
Toll free 888/342-5942; fax 608/244-9030. Materials in this publication may not be reprinted in any form without permission
of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. The Wisconsin Grocer Magazine is printed at Thysse Printing, Oregon, Wisconsin.
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 5
6 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
THE PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
The Year That Was—COVID Chaos
Brandon During the course of the WGA on-going And that is the WGA’s darkest moment of the
Scholz member support, over 15,559 pages of year. Without the Expo, the WGA’s financial
WGA President the WGA’s website were viewed by status was in jeopardy.
and CEO 10,154 visitors between March 16 and In order to keep the WGA doors open, the
May 23; there were 4, 784 visits to the WGA’s Board of Directors approved a two-step
To paraphrase an old UK Grocers For You web page and 4,080 approach, first using the WGA’s Restricted
Reserve Fund to pay bills for the third and
television show from the separate visits to the COVID-19 page.
fourth quarters. And second, the Board
The WGA distributed 44 COVID-19 Alerts authorized an amount – 15% of the 2020
1960s “TW3,” 2020 was the through May 26, (almost one every other day). dues – for the “Voluntary Assessment.”
year that was. WGA members read 24,341 emails with 3,524
WGA retail and warehouse members have
click throughs and 6,603 page views. That’s
It certainly started out like any other year but record-setting stuff for the WGA. received a “2020 Voluntary COVID-19 Dues
quickly exploded into unknown situations and Assessment” from the WGA with an option to
unforeseen challenges for almost every business One of the “keepers” you’ll want in your voluntarily increase additional support for the
and industry. Grocers, as essential businesses memory box is the WGA’s Summer 2020 WGA.
were thrust in to the middle of the COVID Wisconsin Grocer magazine. As Don Symonds,
WGA Board member and Director of Events & Asking for voluntary support is the last
chaos. option the WGA has. We hope you
Trade Relations for Lipari, noted, “I’m gonna
New rules and regulations from federal, state keep this and pull it out in a few years. The support the Association.
and local governments filled inboxes almost detailed timeline (pages 10-18) is an excellent The pandemic isn’t holding us back. We are
every day. Our daily and nightly news was recap of what happened in the grocery industry planning a full array of event and programs for
consumed by the Coronavirus pandemic! when this happened to us.” 2021 and we’re using our experience from this
To be sure, March, April and May were a year to tackle next year head on.
One of the few “normal” events for the year
grocery industry whirlwind, or a ‘hamster was the WGA’s annual Industry Golf Outing at Doug Rinehart of Dick’s Fresh Market notes,
wheel’ as WGA Board Chair Greg Hansen Evergreen Golf Club. By all counts, the outing “2020 has presented a greater awareness and
called it. was a good event by attendance and understanding of the community connections
Stories from across the state and country were participation. All those who attended welcomed that our essential business influences. It has
abundant about the gallant efforts grocers had the opportunity to meet up with fellow retailers truly become the year of learning, growth, and
gone through to protect their employees and and suppliers in a clean and sanitized outdoor opportunity.”
customers. There’s no shortage of examples of environment. You can be certain, with your help and
grocers engaging health and safety protocols, As soon as we put the head covers back on the support, the WGA will be there for its
sharing best practices and creative ways in golf clubs in Elkhorn though, reality set in and members, learning from 2020 and ready
which grocers dealt with self-serve, delis, meat for 2021!
the prospects of an in-person WGA Innovation
cases and more. Michelle Harrington, WGA
expo quickly disappeared. The WGA Board
Board member and Albrecht Sentry co-owner,
approved a ‘virtual’ Innovation Expo.
looks back and notes, “Every day has been a WGA Board of Directors Welcomes New
challenge and very unpredictable.” While the WGA staff had been researching and
Director
preparing for the virtual Expo, they had about
The WGA, for its part engaged in non-stop, Diane Guerrero,
six weeks to pull it all together. And, as virtual
COVID-information machine mode, cutting Associated Wholesale Grocers
events go, the WGA’s Expo was pretty good—
through the mountains of Coronavirus
lots of content, great seminars, lots of industry Diane M. Guerrero, Business
content and providing WGA members with
connections, the state bag-off championship, Development Manager for
what they needed to know at that moment.
industry awards and top-end speakers. The Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City
The association provided direction and
tough part was running a virtual trade show. KS. Experienced in the grocery industry for
information on a thousand different “What do
over 25+ years, Diane holds a BSBA and
we do if…?” questions that came the WGA’s Our post-event surveys had this anonymous
MBA- Finance Minor from Cardinal Stritch
way every day and established the WGA as the observation, “I thought the information
and Ottawa Universities, respectively. Diane
“COVID-19 Go To” place for WGA members. provided during the Expo was very good and I
started her career in retail management for
really appreciated the efforts of the WGA to
While grocers were sustaining record sales and Sun Foods, Godfrey Fleming Inc. and has
make this whole thing work in a very difficult
daily challenges, the WGA was setting records since worked for Supervalu and Certco, Inc.
situation.”
of its own. The WGA built a new COVID-19 in areas of wholesale procurement,
web page featuring COVID-19 Updates, The While the WGA provided up-to-date industry category management, sales and marketing
Toolkit, Best Practices, Signage, Regulatory info, COVID updates, and retailer panels, there and store development. Diane was born
Updates, Positive Grocery Stories, FAQs, was one thing missing. We weren’t at the Expo and raised in Wisconsin and is married with
Resources and more. in person. four grandchildren.
You’ll find updates on COVID-19 in the WGA enews. Or use the WGA COVID-19 Text Line:
• WGA Members may text questions to 608.239.2960
• Text should include: Your Name, Email, Store, and COVID-19 Question • WGA will reply as soon as we can.
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 7
Government Affairs
By
Michelle
Kussow
WGA Executive
Historic Elections
Vice President 2019-2020 Legislative Session
The year 2020 is historic due to the Debit Cards for Lottery Alcohol Pick-up and Delivery
worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, but the The Assembly and Senate adjourned without As online shopping continues to grow, the
2019-2020 Legislative Session and the taking action on legislation that would require WGA began the process to make changes to
retailers to accept debit cards for lottery sales. Wisconsin’s alcohol law to allow grocers to
November Presidential Elections will also
deliver alcohol with groceries and to also
go down in history. Senator Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep.
clarify our laws specific to online orders and
Katsma (R-Sheboygan) introduced the bills
pick-up of alcohol.
2019-2020 Legislative Session with the intention that allowing debit cards for
lottery would increase sales and allow for more Working with Rep. Tauchen (R-Bonduel) and
The Legislature was set to property tax relief. However, WGA was opposed Sen. Dave Craig (R-Big Bend), two bills were
and felt that any increased revenue from lottery introduced to address delivery and pick-up of
wrap-up the 2019-2020 sales would be at the expense of Wisconsin alcohol. The Wisconsin Tavern League was the
Legislative Session in retailers. biggest opponent to the bills and concerned
about the competition from the grocery
Retailers currently receive a commission of
March when COVID-19 hit 5.5% of the retail price for lotto tickets and
industry. The opposition from Wisconsin’s
taverns and bars was enough to prevent
and Wisconsinites were 6.25% for instant tickets. Lottery tickets are
lawmakers from holding hearings on the bill.
sold for cash only and the commission is
confined to their homes intended to help with the retailer’s administrative
Ironically, the Tavern League of Wisconsin
asked for the ability to deliver alcohol during
costs to sell lottery and collect and submit the
due to the Safer-at-Home money to the state. If retailers will be required
the pandemic.
public health order. to accept debit cards, the interchange fees alone
will dramatically overreach the commission Increased Penalties for Retail Theft
The home quarantine also affected the received. Rep. Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls) and
Legislative Session because the Senate had been Senator Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) introduced a
prepared to have their last legislative floor Credit Terms for Beer bill that would mandate 180-days minimum
period on March 25, and were unprepared for a jail time for persons convicted of three or more
WGA actively supported a bill introduced by
virtual session. retail theft crimes.
Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) that would
On the agenda for that day were more than 200 extend the credit terms for beer from 15 days WGA was one of the first groups to register
Assembly Bills that just needed the final Senate to 30 days. support for this issue and lobby for passage.
approval before making the last step to become However, due to concerns for the additional
Retailers have long had concerns about this
law, and all of these bills were left to die. costs to Wisconsin’s correction system, this bill
provision, as well as the 30-day credit terms for
was not included in a final package of crime
Here’s a quick recap of the key issues on the liquor, but without support from the Wisconsin
bills passed by the Assembly.
WGA’s legislative agenda for the session: Beer Distributors Association, this bill was dead
on arrival and did not even receive a public
hearing. T21
Tax Reform In 2018, President Trump signed legislation
After facing an unexpected revenue surplus in increasing the federal minimum age to buy
Streamlining Bartender’s Licenses
2019, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle tobacco to 21.
promoted various ways to spend the money. Legislation that streamlines the process to
obtain a bartender’s license was signed into law The FDA announced that the law was effective
Governor Evers called a special session and in March by Governor Evers. immediately, however without a change to
directed the Legislature to spend $250 million Wisconsin law, there are inconsistencies and
toward education and providing additional The bill was introduced by Rep. Dan Knodl
confusion with enforcement.
dollars for school aids and school districts. The and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) and
Republicans in the Legislature, however, wanted removes the requirement that a municipal WGA supported legislation, AB 422, that
to return the money to those that paid in by governing body approve operator/bartender would conform Wisconsin law to federal law by
offering various tax cuts including a personal licenses. Instead, this new law allows the making it illegal for a RETAILER to sell
property tax exemption for manufacturers. This municipality to pass an ordinance designating tobacco or nicotine products including nicotine-
bill was subsequently vetoed by Governor Evers, another city official, such as the city clerk, to vapor products to anyone under the age of 21.
which in hindsight worked in the state’s favor to approve and issue the licenses. This change will The bill was passed by the Assembly on their
help fend off part of the economic losses due to cut the time to obtain licenses from 4-6 weeks - final floor date, but due to the premature
COVID-19. and sometimes longer - to a few days. adjournment of the Senate, was not taken up.
Continued on page 10 >
8 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
W G A ’s P o l i t i c a l S u p p o r t P r o g r a m
LOYAL CONTRIBUTORS LIFETIME CONTRIBUTORS
Annual personal contributions exceeding five years
to the WGA Political Support Program Personal contributions totaling more than
$5000 over their lifetime
Trig Solberg Rob Webster/ Jeff Basting
Trig’s Candie Baker Point Foods Trig Solberg Dave Spiegelhoff Mark & Mary
since 1985 Webster’s since 2012 Trig’s Gooseberries Stinebrink
Marketplace Stinebrink’s
Tim Hogan since 2005 Frank & Stephanie Mark Skogen George Prescott
Piggly Wiggly
Sentry Foods Lueptow Festival Foods Prescott’s
since 1999 Dave Ryman Frank’s Piggly Wiggly Supermarkets (retired) Mike Coppersmith
Certco, Inc. since 2013 Paul & Karen Godin
New London
Dave Spiegelhoff since 2006 Godin Grocers Paul Nelson
Festival Foods
Doug Rinehart retired Nelson’s County
Gooseberries Pam Coy Dick’s Fresh Market Market (retired) Pam Coy
since 2000 Viking VIllage, Inc. since 2013 Tom Verhagen
Viking Village, Inc.
since 2010 Larry’s Markets Brian Conrad
Mark & Mary Mark Maloney (retired) Conrad’s Carl Miller
Stinebrink Greg & Kari Hansen Russ Davis Wholesale
Hansen’s IGA Sentry (retired) Miller & Son’s
Stinebrink’s Piggly since 2014 Terry Daniels
since 2010 Supermarket
Wiggly Daniels Jerry & Pat Mountin
since 2002 Sentry Foods Mountin’s
Jeff & Cindy Tate
Tate’s Piggly Wiggly Piggly Wiggly (retired)
since 2011
2020 PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS* 2020 CORPORATE
Century Club
CONTRIBUTIONS*
Capitol Club
Personal contributions totaling Personal contributions totaling Corporate contributions totaling:
$1000 or more in calendar year $500 or more in calendar year Platinum
Mark Maloney, Mike Tadych, Tadych’s Econofoods $5,000 or more in calendar year
Russ Davis Wholesale Miller & Sons Supermarket
Tim Hogan, Sentry Foods
Curt Schmidt, Sendik’s Food Market
Mike Quillin, Quillin’s IGA
Mayville Piggly Wiggly
Dave Hediger, Abby County Market Gold
Rob Webster, $2,500 or more in calendar year
Webster’s Marketplace Doug Rinehart, Dick’s Fresh Market Piggly Wiggly Midwest
Candie Baker, Jerry’s Enterprises
Webster’s Marketplace
Chairman’s Club
Personal contributions totaling Silver
Bill Pierce, Viking Village $250 or more in calendar year $1,000 or more in calendar year
Pam Coy, Viking Village Mark Stinebrink, Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly Abby County Market
Mark Thompson, Thompson’s IGA-Cuba City Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly
Carl Miller, Miller & Sons
Supermarket Russ Davis Wholesale
Jeff Basting, Point Foods
Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly
Trig Solberg, Dave Ryman, Certco, Inc. Cowley’s Piggly Wiggly
Trig’s
Frank & Stephanie Lueptow, President’s Club Bronze
Frank’s Piggly Wiggly $500 or more in calendar year
Personal contributions totaling
$100 or more in calendar year Sentry Foods-71st & Lisbon Avenue,
Hy-Vee, Inc. Employees’ Milwaukee
Political Action Committee Gary Hanke, Hanke’s Sentry Foods
Sentry Foods-92nd & Lisbon Avenue,
Mike & Georgette Joe Zietlow, Kwik Trip Milwaukee
Coppersmith, Quillin’s IGA
Terry Daniels, Daniels Sentry Foods
New London Festival Foods Nilssen’s Foods
Pat Barnes, Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly Lee’s Piggly Wiggly
Dick’s Fresh Market
*as of November 11, 2020
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 9
Government Affairs, continued from page 8
Elections
The November, 2020 elections were exceptionally adversarial and
will go down in history for that reason, and also for the historic
amounts of money that were spent.
The Presidential race resulted in a win for Democrat Joe Biden after
days of slow poll results and several states within a few thousand
votes of the other candidate, including Wisconsin. Joe Biden took
Wisconsin with only 20,000 votes more than Donald Trump—
definitely the closest Presidential election in history.
In Wisconsin, races were extremely divisive with Democrats
outspending Republicans on local races 20 to 1 and spending
unprecedented amounts of money on individual campaigns.
With that said, the election results in Wisconsin show little to no
change in the Wisconsin legislature. Republicans in the Senate
picked up two more seats but fell one win shy of achieving a two-
thirds majority. The Republicans now hold a larger majority in the
Senate with 21 seats to the 12 seats held by Democrats. In the
Assembly, the Democrats beat two Republican incumbents in the
Suburban Milwaukee area—Jim Ott and Rob Hutton.
Regardless, the Assembly Republicans still safely hold the majority
with 62 seats to the Democrats 37 seats.
For a look at the new faces in the Legislature for the 2021-2022
Legislative Session, please see pages 12 and 13.
ank GA
Thou!
WGA Business Partners are the top-tier supporters of
BUSINESS the WGA and strategically promote themselves to
y PARTNERS WGA members at WGA events and programming.
10 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com2020 Friend of Grocer Awards
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 112021-2022
New Faces in Wisconsin
District 48
Previously held by
Melissa Sargent
Samba Baldeh
District 23 (D-Madison)
Congress Previously held by is an IT Project Manager at
Jim Ott American Family Insurance and
District 5 also services on the Madison
Previously held by Deb Andraca Common Council.
Jim Sensenbrenner (D-Whitefish Bay) District 55
most recently has been a
Scott Fitzgerald substitute teacher, but she has previously
Previously held by
(R-Juneau) Mike Rohrkaste
held numerous political jobs including as a
is not a new face in Wisconsin lobbyist for the Environmental Law and Rachael Cabral
politics, but he is new to Congress. Fitzgerald Policy Center of the Midwest.
previously served in the State Senate since Guevara
1994 and as the Senate Majority Leader since District 29 (R-Appleton)is a family nurse practioner and
2013. Previously held by founded Nurse Practioner Health Services in
Rob Stafsholt Appleton.
State Assembly Dr. Clint Moses District 57
District 8 (R-Menomonie) Previously held by
Previously held by and his wife are both Amanda Stuck
JoCasta Zamarripa chiropractors and own a chiropractic
business in Menomonie.
Lee Snodgrass
Sylvia Ortiz Velez (D-Appleton)
(D-Milwaukee) District 35 is currently the Director of
currently serves on the Previously held by Communications for Girl Scouts of the
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and Mary Felzkowski Northwestern Great Lakes and serves as the
is a Wisconsin-licensed real estate broker. 2nd Vice Chair to the Democratic Party of
Calvin Callahan Wisconsin.
District 11 (R-Tomahawk)
Previously held by currently serves on the Lincoln District 69
Jason Fields County Board, Town of Wilson Board and as Previously held by
Chairman of the Lincoln County Republican Bob Kulp
Dora Drake Party. Prior to announcing his candidacy, he
(D-Milwaukee) worked for the Republican Party of Wisconsin Donna Rozar
has a degree in Social Welfare as a Regional Director for Northern (R-Marshfield)
& Justice from Marquette University and is a Wisconsin. is a nurse at the Marshfield
Member Service Coordinator at the Center Medical Center and has served on the Wood
for Self Sufficiency. District 41 County Board of Supervisors for 20 years.
Previously held by
District 13 Joan Ballweg District 75
Previously held by Previously held by
Rob Hutton Alex Dallman Romaine Quinn
(R-Green Lake)
Sara Rodriguez is currently the Chair of the David Armstrong
(D-Brookfield) Green Lake County Republican Party (R-Rice Lake)
is a registered nurse and has and previously worked for is the Executive Director of the
worked in a variety of healthcare leadership Congressman Glenn Grothman. Barron County Economic Development
roles including founding a healthcare Corporation and previously served on
consulting firm. District 44 the Rice Lake City Council.
Previously held by
District 17 Deb Kolste District 76
Previously held by Previously held by
David Crowley Sue Conley Chris Taylor
(D-Janesville)
Supreme Moore currently serves on the Francesca Hong
Omokunde Janesville City Council as the Council (D-Madison)
President and has spent 30 years in the is a chef and owns Morris
(D-Milwaukee)
nonprofit sector as a volunteer and board Ramen Restaurant in downtown Madison.
is the son of Congresswoman Gwen Moore
and currently serves on the Milwaukee member in various organizations.
County Board of Supervisors.
12 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.comDistrict 90 District 14 District 28
Previously held by Previously held by Previously held by
Staush Gruszynski Luther Olsen Dave Craig
Kristina Shelton Joan Ballweg Julian Bradley
(D-Green Bay) (R-Markesan) (R-Franklin)
previously served in the State is a former professional wrestler
is a member of the Green Bay
Assembly since 2011 and owns Ballweg and currently works in management with a
Area Public School Board and works with Implement, an agricultural and lawn equipment Fortune 150 insurance company in Franklin.
many community groups. dealership.
District 30
District 16
State Senate Previously held by
Previously held by
Dave Hansen
District 10 Mark Miller
Previously held by
Eric Wimberger
Patty Schachtner
Melissa Sargent (R-Green Bay)
(D-Madison) is a former Marine and currently
Rob Stafsholt most recently served in the State owns a law practice in Green Bay.
Assembly and is a former small business owner.
(R-New Richmond) District 32
previously served in the State District 26 Previously held by
Assembly since 2016 and currently owns a waste Previously held by Jen Shilling
disposal company. Fred Risser
District 12 Brad Pfaff
Previously held by
Kelda Roys (D-Onalaska)
Tom Tiffany (D-Madison) most recently was appointed by
is an attorney, business owner Governor Tony Evers as the Secretary-designee of
Mary Felzkowski and health care advocate. She previously served in the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade &
the State Assembly and ran for Governor in 2018. Consumer Protection, until his nomination was
(R-Irma)
rejected by the State Senate.
previously served in the State
Assembly since 2012 and owns the C.I.S. Insurance
Group in Tomahawk.
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 13Mark Stellpflug
WGA Member Service Representative
The Time has Come
I have served as the WGA Member WGA Board
Service Representative since 2014. Lastly, I want to thank the WGA Board of
Directors. This volunteer group of men and
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the women devote countless volunteer hours to
WGA for these past six years. Going in, I knew I oversee the operations of the WGA and chart the
would do this job as long as I was physically able, course for where the organization will go in the
or as long as I thought I’d have something future. I have nothing but the utmost respect for
worthwhile to contribute. The time has come for the WGA members that serve on the board.
me to end my days traveling for the WGA. So,
with this article I officially end my time with the With that, as they say, I will ride off into the
Wisconsin Grocers Association. sunset wishing you and yours health
My wife Dianne, and grandkids Cora and Mark, and myself happily
and happiness in the new year, and much success
riding off into the sunset. in the future. (And good riddance to COVID-19!)
A Lifetime in Grocery
As I look back on my lifetime associated with the I take heart in the fact that I Finally, as I used to like to remind the staff at
grocery business, I have the battle scars to prove my store, “let’s go out there and have some fun
it, but more importantly, the comfort of knowing leave the profession in good selling groceries!”
I was part of a noble profession. I started my
career in 1967 at the age of 11 in my parent’s hands, as it has been a distinct
6,000-sq.-ft. SuperValu store in the role of “vice honor and privilege to meet,
president in charge of filling soda machines and Thank You, Mark!
emptying ash trays.” (Yes, for those young folks get to know, and interact with
When I asked Mark Stellpflug to join the
reading this, customers commonly smoked in
stores until approximately the mid-1970s.) my peers, but also meet an WGA as our Member Service
Representative, I promised him he could
I worked for my parents, as did my six siblings, entirely new up-and-coming make the hours work for his schedule, serve
through junior high, high school, and when generation of retail and as the WGA’s ambassador without me
college allowed. When I was 18 years of age, the breathing down his neck and he could end
last thing I ever contemplated was that I’d make wholesale grocers! the arrangement any time he wanted to. I
the grocery business my lifelong profession. But regret the third part of the offer!
as I’m sure you can attest, life does have a way of for your economic investment in, and your Mark has been a great member of the WGA
going in directions one never anticipated. And I personal commitment to the Association. For team. He did an amazing job reaching out
can say with confidence in hindsight, I couldn’t without your interest, involvement, and to WGA members during his travels and
be happier that I chose the grocery business! investment the organization would not exist. succeeded in expanding and making the
There is a community near where I live that WGA presence known out in the field.
50 Years Later Mark related to grocers because he has been
touts itself as “The little city that does big
So today I find myself sitting at my computer, in the grocery biz all his life! Mark knew
things.” A similar statement could be said of the
over 50 years later, writing my last MSR article and understood what was happening in
staff of the WGA, of which I had the pleasure of
for the Wisconsin Grocer magazine. I find the each and every store and with each owner
playing a minor role. Including myself, the entire
moment somewhat bittersweet in that it is and manager in his many trips across the
staff of the WGA consists of six dedicated
difficult to say goodbye to a profession I came to state.
people. In a normal year the WGA plans,
know
organizes, and facilitates numerous events such Mark didn’t end his job as he was pulling
and love. I take heart in the fact that I leave the as Grocers in the Capitol, a golf outing, the out of the parking lot. As you can see in
profession in good hands, as it has been a distinct Leadership Institute, and a multi-faceted trade this magazine and from years past, Mark
honor and privilege to meet, get to know, and show, to name just a few. In addition, the has shared his grocery industry insights with
interact with my peers, but also meet an entirely association lobbies at the state and federal level us through his column. He also shared his
new up-and-coming generation of retail and on your behalf. It keeps the grocery retail and perceptions and his experiences with the
wholesale grocers! wholesale community informed of legislative and WGA staff as we experienced changes and
regulatory developments, trends in the industry, challenges in the industry. Mark’s keen
As a WGA Member grocery-related happenings and events around knowledge and understanding of what
the state and much more via many media, makes the grocery business work was
Service Representative
including timely email updates to members, extremely valuable to us.
In a typical year I logged over 5,000 miles and legislative alerts, the weekly Prez Letter, and this
visited about 165 stores. I want to thank all of magazine. Additionally, the staff oversees the Mark will be missed as he settles into his
you for taking time to meet with me when I WGA Foundation which is the educational and “final” retirement but his contributions to
showed up unexpectedly at your store training arm of the WGA. It would be fair to the industry and the WGA are indelibly
representing the Wisconsin Grocers Association. say, this is a small association that does big inked into our fabric. Thank you, Mark!
On behalf of the WGA I also want to thank you things! ~ Brandon Scholz
14 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 15
16 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
Virtual “Innovation” in “The WGA Grocers
Innovation Expo” took on a new
Expo
meaning this year as the WGA adapted
to the challenges of the COVID-19
pandemic. The WGA brought members
Review the traditional, quality Expo event of
the past in a virtual form.
Enjoyed the Expo, especially the two keynote
presenters, Greg Ferrara and Leslie Sarasin. Also, the
data from Dr. Mark Kaufman of the WHA was an
eye-opener.
James Hyland, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.
Written by Brittany Knuteson Leading Resilient Teams
While the road to produce and The WGA team was delighted to bring The first seminar, Leading Resilient Teams:
create a virtual Expo you the regularly-scheduled Expo in a Addressing Compassion Fatigue, discussed the
experience was a learning new, exciting virtual format to connect strain on mental health of grocery-industry
employees. Team-care strategies and best
process, all traditional in- while apart. Registrants can relive the practices were shared; attendees also had the
person Expo elements such as Expo experience by visiting the “Virtual opportunity to participate in live Q & A with
Expo” tab on the WGA website to watch speaker Russ Turner, Director of the Training
educational seminars, round Institute.
the seminars!
table discussions, awards, and
the coveted Great Wisconsin Retailer Panel:
DAY 1 Respond, Rethink, Recover
Bag-Off were able to be In response to the new challenges COVID-19 The second Day 1 seminar, Retailer Panel:
incorporated. presented to the grocery industry, the WGA Respond, Rethink, Recover, featured industry
rethought many of its educational seminars to leaders Kevin Metcalfe & Lisa Grudzielanek,
provide solutions to these new challenges. Metcalfe’s Market; Curt Schmidt, Mayville >
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 17Piggly Wiggly; Clint Woodman, Woodman’s Messages were also shared by several Wisconsin
Market; & Ryan Olsen, Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly. Legislators including Assembly Speaker Robin
We finished up day three of the virtual
The leaders addressed the respective topics of Vos (R-Rochester), Senate Majority Leader
Expo and want to give you and all of
how they responded, rethought operations, Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), Senator Chris
your teams a big shout out for putting
and recovered as a company in the continuing together a great line up and Expo. I am Kapenga (R-Delafield), Representative Mark
pandemic. Additionally, Live Vendor Panel sure there were long days trying to get it Born (R-Beaver Dam), and Representative Dan
guests Mark Maloney, Russ Davis Wholesale; done in such short time. Knodl (R-Germantown). IGA President &
Chad Vincent, Dairy Farmers of America; and CEO John Ross, a live guest, shared how
Don Symonds, Lipari Foods shared how their Tim Stocker, SpartanNash COVID-19 continues to impact the grocery
companies continue to respond and adapt to industry. Wisconsin Hospital Association chief
the pandemic. medical officer Dr. Mark Kaufman and president
and CEO Eric Borgerding, also live guests,
addressed the rising number of COVID-19
I want to congratulate you on DAY 2 cases in Wisconsin as numbers continue to soar.
what I thought was a very well-
done event. Great job team. UW System President Tommy Thompson,
Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke, and the
Bob Jaskolski, Trig’s Wisconsin Historical Society were all welcomed
additions to Day 2 of the Expo.
Awards
Day 2
featured
Excellence in
Operations
NGA President & CEO Greg Ferrara answered questions after his
and
presentation.
Community
NGA Seminar Service
Awards. Rick Estridge, Wayne’s Foods Plus
Day 2 kicked off with the National Grocers
Employment and Safety Association seminar hosted by NGA President Excellence in Operations honorees include
Implications of COVID-19 & CEO Greg Ferrara. Changing grocery James Hyland, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.;
The final seminar of Day 1, Employment & shopping trends and consumer behavior were Nate Weitz, T.A. Solberg Co. Inc.; and Rick
Safety Implications of COVID-19 for Retailers, shared; many grocery stores have altered their Estridge, Wayne’s Foods Plus.
was hosted by Conn Maciel Carey Founding operations or added new elements to the grocery
shopping experience to address these changes. Community Service honorees are Chad
Partner Kara M. Maciel, who is also Chair of
Examples include extended curbside pickup and Schultz, Bernatello’s; Chris Campbell, Dick’s
the firm’s National Labor & Employment
expanded pre-made food offerings. Attendees Fresh Market - Menomonie; Danny & Kevin
Practice Group. A flood of new legal and
had the opportunity to take part in live Q & A Konnow, Charlie’s Northwoods Market; &
regulatory developments such as those presented
with Ferrara. Tim Engel, Dick’s Fresh Market - River Falls.
by OSHA, EEOC, and CDC, can be difficult to
navigate. Maciel educated attendees about these
new regulations and guidelines and answered DAY 3
live post-seminar Q & A.
FMI Seminar: Painting Grocery
Shopping Behavior using COVID-19
Colors
FMI President & CEO Leslie Sarasin hosted
the first educational seminar of Day 3 titled
Painting Grocery Shopping Behavior Using
COVID-19 Colors. This pre-recorded seminar
summarized the constantly changing, evolving
shopping trends of consumers with the
Grocery Industry Summit influence of the pandemic.
Kara M. Maciel responded at the live Q&A
The annual Grocery Industry Summit seminar
featured reports from WGA President & CEO
Brandon Scholz, WGA Board of Directors
I thought the seminars were informative Chair Greg Hansen, Hansen’s IGA & WGA
and gave great scenarios to think about. Foundation Chair Kristie Maurer, Maurer’s
Mick Kneeland, Markets. Governor Tony Evers shared a special
Viking Village, Reedsburg message with attendees at the beginning of the
Grocery Industry Summit.
18 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com...What a great job you all did on your first virtual show!! It is amazing what you all
got done in the time frame you were dealt! I thought the seminars were outstanding. I
thought they were timely and really gave anyone who attended a chance to hear, and
steal, other company’s ideas. Really hit me that we are not out there alone and we can
use each other’s ideas to make our businesses the safest they can be. Also, what everyone is
thinking about the future was very informative to me. Again, great job!! Came off as
you planned for this the entire year. I also thought the award presentation went really
well in this COVID-19 environment!! Thanks again.
Dan Williamson, Kemps
Austin Vogler answers live Q&A from attendees
Live Round Tables: Great Wisconsin Bag-Off
E-commerce/Human Resources The Great Wisconsin Bag-Off was pre- I just wanted to say thank you for a
T.A. Solberg Co., Inc. Marketing Director Kindl Furtak recorded at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin great virtual Expo! I know a LOT of
and Marketplace Foods, Inc. Senior Human Resources Dells on September 30. work goes into putting an Expo together
Business Partner Austin Vogler moderated live round and then to add virtual on top of that! I
COVID-19 precautions such as mask- thought it was absolutely a success and
table discussions on the topics of e-commerce and wearing and social distancing were enforced
human resources; both fields have been greatly affected the keynote speakers were phenomenal.
for the safety of staff and attendees. The food
by the COVID-19 pandemic. was switched and the counters were sanitized Emilie Williamson,
between rounds. Julia Nunes, the 73rd Alice Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.
in Dairyland hosted the event. The
competition was tough; Matthew Casey,
Metcalfe’s Market Wauwatosa finished in
first place. Casey will compete in the NGA
Bag-Off in May of 2021.
Honorees I liked the idea since I work 3rd shift,
To conclude the final day of the Expo, so this make it easier for me to
Vendor of the Year Valley Cooperative “attend” the food show virtual. I
enjoyed my “chats” with each vendor
Pictured L-R: Matthew Casey, Metcalfe’s Market- Wauwatosa Association and Grocer of the Year Bob
Dale Hanke,
(1st Place); Joseph Mueller, Miller & Sons Supermarket - Jaskolski, T.A. Solberg Co., Inc. were
Hanke’s Sentry, Wittenberg, WI
Verona (2nd Place); Alice in Dairyland Julia Nunes; Logan honored during the pre-recorded
White, Trig’s - Steven’s Point (3rd Place); Michael broadcasting. Check out photos of the
Standiford, Main Street Market Piggly Wiggly - Lodi; and honorees on page 24.
Jonathon Redden, Viking Village Foods - Reedsburg
Wisconsin Grocers Association
Education and
Scholarship
FOUNDATION
PALLET OF PRODUCT
SILENT AUCTION WINNERS
Arctic Glacier Ice 100 - 20# bags of ice Justin Campbell, Brodhead Piggly Wiggly
Bernatello’s 432 Brew Pub Hearty Artisan Pizzas Matt Stinebrink, Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly
Bernatello’s 576 Bellatoria Breadcrumb Artisan Crust Pizzas Matt Stinebrink, Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly
Berres Brothers Coffee Holiday Coffee and Shipper Pam Coy, Viking Village Foods
Kemps, LLC 216 gallons 2% Milk Jeff Maurer, Maurer’s Market
Lipari Foods Amish Wedding Jar Goods Rack Justin Campbell, Brodhead Piggly Wiggly
Lipari Foods 30 Cases iO Popcorn Mark Stinebrink, Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly
Old Dutch Foods 40 cases of chips Justin Campbell, Brodhead Piggly Wiggly
Russ Davis Wholesale 200 – 5# bags WI Russet Potatoes Justin Campbell, Brodhead Piggly Wiggly
Russ Davis Wholesale 240 - 3# bags Yellow Onions Justin Campbell, Brodhead Piggly Wiggly
Russ Davis Wholesale 30 cases of 30/1lb. bags Baby Peeled Carrots Brad Brayshaw, Trig’s
Valley Cooperative Association Racine Danish Kringle Mark Stinebrink, Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly
Valley Cooperative Association 48 – 15# pails Pre-whipped Topping Greg Hansen, Hansen’s IGA
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 19u!
Thank you for joining
Thank yo Live Zoom Booth
WH
OLES
AL
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20 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.comthe 2020 Expo
Trade Show
First Virtual Zoom Booth Trade Show!
A WGA Grocers Innovation Expo staple, the trade show, took place on a virtual format via
Zoom all three days of the Expo to connect retailers and vendors. If you missed the trade
show or want to reach out to a
specific member, visit the WGA
website to view company contact
information! Thank you to all
vendors and retailers who
participated in the 2020 Zoom
Booth Trade Show!
Visit wisconsingrocers.
com/sponsors.
Trade Show Flash Back!
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 21!
Thank you for joining
Tha n k you Live Zoom Booth
Supporting
the WGA
Jim Hageny Jeff Wagner
Risk Managment Advisor Risk Management Advisor
jhageny@vizance.com jwagner@vizance.com
(262) 563-5486 (262) 563-5426
21420 W. Greenfield Ave., Suite 100 New Berlin, WI 53146
22 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.comthe 2020 Expo
Trade Show
Trade Show Flash Back!
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Serving all your grocery department
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2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 23Grocer of the Year
Bob Jaskolski
T.A. Solberg Co., Inc., Minocqua
Nominated by Nate Vollmer, T.A. Solberg Co., Inc.
Excellence in Operations
Rick Estridge James Hyland Nate Weitz
Wayne’s Foods Plus, Webster Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. T.A. Solberg Co., Inc., Wausau
Nominated by Jason Nilssen, Milwaukee Nominated by Keven Niemi,
Nilssen’s Foods Nominated by Ken McClure, Kemps Dairy
The Kroger Company
Community Service
Chris Campbell Tim Engel Danny & Kevin Konnow Chad Schultz
Dick’s Fresh Market, Dick’s Fresh Market, Charlie’s Northwoods Market, Bernatello’s Foods,
Menomonie River Falls Land O Lakes Kaukauna
Nominated by Michelle Donnelly, Nominated by Michelle Donnelly, Nominated by Mark Mead, Nominated by Matt Selvig,
Dick’s Fresh Market Dick’s Fresh Market Certco, Inc. Bernatello’s Foods
Vendor of the Year
Valley Cooperative Association,
Greenville
Nominated by Andrew Brehmer,
Skogen’s Festival Foods
24 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 25
EVENTS REVIEW
2020 Grocers Connected
• Extending credit terms for beer; and
As I look back over 2020, I recall the • Streamlining process for bartender’s license.
anticipation I had for a great 2020. Attendees met with their legislative
representatives at the State Capitol. Overall
By Cheryl Lytle there were 58 attendees who met with 32
Events Director legislators.
I had plans for an events line-up that hard to remember 2020 before COVID Grocery Industry Golf Outing
would build on previous successes, hit, but this meal was one I’ll never
resulting in one of the best years for the forget! Mmm … amazing! tr y G
Planning with
us
COVID-19 in mind
ol
n Grocery Ind
WGA ever.
f O u ti n g
Capitol Day When Safer at Home
On that note, I felt the numbers of ‘2020’
On Wednesday, January 22, WGA
n si
created synergy that would add to the Wis
mandates began in March, it
co
offered is shortest Capitol Day ever! was uncertain if the WGA’s
remarkable year that I thought it was
From 8 am to noon, attendees heard Grocery Golf Outing would happen. The
going to be.
from Senate President Roger Roth and original date of this event was to be June 3.
Well, 2020 was remarkable, but not in Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Issues The date was moved to the end of July and
the way I thought. COVID-19 hit and it briefings were discussed on the following then again moved to August 27.
was a game changer. More on this later. topics:
Once the summer hit and the Safer At Home
• Require debit card sales for lottery mandate ended, people were excited to get
tickets; out and socialize to see other people. Golf
• Labeling of meat, cheese and dairy courses were one of the first service industries
products; to re-open and— because we could social
Grocery Industry Golf Outing
Thursday, August 27, was the hottest day of the year.
Grocers in the Capitol Day It was 95 degrees and a perfect day for the Grocery Industry Golf Outing! There were 33
teams with 144 golfers and an activity on almost every tee location. An additional 30-
Right out of the 2020 gate, WGA offered plus people participated on the course and provided the fun on the course!
Grocers in the Capitol Day in January at
New this year, was the WGA Foundation’s golf ball launcher that projected your ball 200
the Madison Club in downtown Madison.
to 250 yards.
On the evening of January 21, a dinner The day went so smoothly, the entire program was completed almost an hour earlier
was held to recognize WGA’s Loyal than past years! It was a marvelous day outside and it felt good to connect with peers in
Contributor and Lifetime Contributor the grocery industry.
honorees—new levels within the WGA’s
The Grocery Industry Golf Outing was a big hit. See pages 31 through 40 for the full review
Government of the outing.
Affairs program.
Loyal and Lifetime Thirst is the worst... Hit a mid-morning snag, don’t fall apart.
Contributors We know We have a
Sixteen people
it’s a drag; hunch you’ll We’ve left a
please don’t
touch the flag be smart and grab a drink
need boxed
lunch.
goody bag
were recognized as indivual contributors to from the complimentary on your cart.
the Political Action Program for more than
beverage cart Avoid the germ &
5 years. Thirteen people were recognized pick it up at the turn
as Lifetime Contributors, contributing
more than $5,000 over their lifetime.
Dinner was sponsored by Superior Fresh
and featured their greens and salmon. It’s
BE ON THE TEAM; Prevent COVID-19.
26 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.comGrocers Innovation Expo –
Virtual is a reality
As mentioned
earlier, when
COVID-19 hit, it
changed everything
overnight.
distance outside— it was not We were sent home
discouraged. from the office to several direct mail Expo solicitations,
The WGA team discussed how we could work at home until created a password protected virtual Expo
help stop the spread of the virus and further notice. The portal on the WGA website done “in-
provide a safe event to hold the outing. WGA team was all hands on deck to be a house,” and produced nine hours of
relevant resource to WGA members. educational content with transitional
We reached out to New Jersey Food videos down to the second. And, almost
Council to learn what measures they WGA COVID-19 I ran the
every detail to make all this happen was in
took. They shared a quirky rhyming Q & A Text Line WGA’s
our original plan … and we really worked
saying to help people remember in a Quick Answers to Your Questions COVID-
19 Text Line with much help from the it.
fresh way COVID safety measures; “Be
wise, hand sanitize” and “Prevent the rest of the team for accurate responses. It The Virtual Grocers Innovation Expo was
bug, no bear hug.” WGA also added cute was a wonderful service that answered 4 hours over the 3 days of October 20 –
graphics to the sayings and used them in questions efficiently. 22. The full review can be found in this issue
pre-event promotions and during the golf During that time, I also tried to soak up on pages 17 through 24.
event. as much information as I could on We felt it was important to continue
We also met in-person in advance with planning, producing, and sponsoring to offer the Grocers Innovation Expo
Bill Rogers, Evergreen Golf Course and virtual events. The uncertainty of what to provide continuing education for
Dave Spiegelhoff, Gooseberries/ the future was, made me certain that WGA members to help them
Courtyard Catering, to develop a plan to things were not going to stay the same.
through the
make sure the flow of the day allowed for I wanted to be prepared to continue
the success of WGA events. pandemic.
social distancing, sanitation stations, and
food packaging for safe food handling. We thought of all the
Going Virtual elements offered at the
youtheUnless
want
bug
On August 12, the WGA Board of
Directors voted to change the Grocers
in-person Expo and
had them virtually.
Innovation Expo from an in-person event We covered
& Hand to a virtual one. The same day, the WGA everything except
Sanitize No Bear Hug team met and created our overall vison of the cake decorating
the virtual Expo and soon followed up contest!
with a detailed to-do list. The education featured COVID-19 from
Lunch was boxed and handed out at the Someone once said the key to success is how to help your team stay mentally
Starters Station. For the first time, WGA to plan your work and work your plan. strong during tough times, pressures of
took advantage of the outdoor pavilion; And that’s just what customer service with
the evening dinner was served by masked we did. There were Russ Turner,
and gloved servers. We determined that if 47 business days (Training Institute’s
we reduce participation from 180 to 140 between August 12 Leading Resilient
golfers, there’d be more space on the and the opening of Teams,) to learning
course and dinner. And, the lower the Expo on October
number allowed more carts; we could 22. In that time, the
offer individual carts to anyone who WGA team executed
requested one. So, with lots of questions the Grocery Golf
and phone calls, WGA developed our Outing on August 27;
invited and organized the
educational speakers,
panelists, and moderators;
held an in-person Great
Wisconsin Bag-Off;
produced a 60-page Expo
magazine; created and sent
COVID-19 safety plan.
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 27EVENTS REVIEW
2020 Grocers Connected continued
from each other on the Respond, Rethink, recognized with a WGA award. Those and with WGA members with their trade
Recover panel with WGA retail and vendor the video of the in-person Great Wisconsin show sales pitches and ideas to help grow
members viewpoints, to Attorney Kara Bag-Off—which revealed the winners— your sales margins in different categories
Maciel’s HR seminar with help to guide were popular elements. The program or services to assist your business. I thank
retailers though the plethora of new streamed for three hours each day and everyone who participated in Zoom
government regulations. transitional videos helped fill the space Booths!
between sessions.
Congratulations to Dale Hanke, Hanke’s
Sentry in Wittenberg, Wisconsin, who
won $500 in Zoom Booth Bingo. Dale
visited 24 Zoom Booths over three days
and received the company’s secret Bingo
code to fill his bingo card. His name was
drawn to win $500!
Marketing Coordinator
WGA is fortunate to have great national It was great to see the variety in
Brittany Knuteson
association leaders who joined the program the video that included
too. Greg Ferrera, NGA and Leslie legislative leaders, Pam Janke, I’d also like to
Sarasin, FMI both shared their views of the Fabulous Farm send a special
COVID-19 and Babe, and paid thank you to
provided suggestions sponsored videos. Brittany
on opportunities Knuteson,
The last hour of each WGA’s new Marketing Coordinator. She
through this difficult
day featured Live started in July and charged through every
time.
Zoom Booths, a virtual challenge in front of her with a smile.
The Expo included trade show. Over 20 She’s a joy to work with and hope we can
videos of each companies were gather soon, so WGA members can meet
honoree who was available to connect her, too.
28 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.comBrittany Knuteson
WGA Marketing Coordinator
Happy to be part of the team:
Marketing in 2020
Four months ago, I joined the Email Marketing WGA Virtual Grocers Innovation Expo
WGA team as the new marketing As seen in previous years, email The WGA Virtual Grocers
marketing continues to play a Innovation Expo was an exciting
coordinator! prominent role as a project to be part of! My previous
The WGA community has been so welcoming communication tool to experience in using cameras, video
and I am thrilled to be part of such a great team. connect with WGA members.
President’s
Letter
The WGAis in your inbox now
!
production, and production planning consisted of
WGA Events Director Cheryl Lytle has been an W using a Cannon camera to take basic photos.
S p ee e k l yPre-Coronavirus, two or
amazing mentor; she acclimated me to the WGA cial
sthree emails were sent per That said, the road to bring you a virtual Expo was a
world of events, communications, and operations. week. Since COVID-19 began, WGA learning-from-scratch experience, but it is one that I
While I have not experienced “normal” WGA VP Michelle Kussow sends at least immensely enjoyed. The entire WGA team worked
marketing in a world without COVID-19, one COVID-19 Update weekly to together, day and night, to bring you the educational
I look forward to continuing to bring the keep members up-to-date on the seminars and special events, like the Awards
WGA community informative marketing ever-changing COVID-19 Presentation and Great Wisconsin Bag-Off, that you
communications. guidelines and regulations. Between look forward to each year.
Be on the Team, Prevent COVID-19 advertising webinars, Weekly
The Expo truly was a team project; WGA President
The Be on the Team, Prevent COVID-19 Specials, and the President’s Letter,
& CEO Brandon Scholz had a vision to bring you
five to six emails are sent on a weekly basis. It is
We cannot wait to see marketing campaign my goal to keep WGA members informed about
the Expo virtually after it was decided that there was
your winning smile, was designed to bring not a safe way to host the event in-person.
peace of mind to all of the latest news, events, and opportunities
wear a mask among the WGA community. Special thanks to Cody Sheehy,
to go the extra mile Grocery Industry Golf
Outing attendees. The the video guru from Pinpoint
Social Media Software, Inc., for making the Expo videos look
campaign consisted of Since I joined the WGA in July, I
short, quirky slogans polished and professional. Scheduling Expo programs
have strived to grow social accurately to the second, filming, and producing
with colorful, fun media presence to connect
images to inform golfers of the many health and content was a challenge that I would gladly tackle
with a broader audience. again in the future.
safety precautions implemented at the event. WGA member initiatives,
While the graphics gave the campaign a light- such as community outreach Website Remodel
hearted feeling, the messaging was serious. The and achievements, are so By late January 2021, WGA will
idea for the campaign was inspired by a similar important and deserve to be launch an updated, remodeled
initiative by the New Jersey Food Council. shared with a large website. Clean lines and easy
WGA Spotted community. The amount of navigation are just a couple of the
LinkedIn followers has doubled to reach 138. Over additions to the site! Also, there will be a password-
GA The WGA Spotted initiative,
1,000 people follow WGA on Facebook! I look protected, WGA member-only section. We are
originally designed for social
forward to continuing to expand our social media excited to share it with you soon.
media, highlights the great
presence in 2021 by posting relevant, interesting
things local grocers do in their communities. What to Expect in 2021
content.
As of this Fall, WGA Spotted has a permanent As noted previously, I look forward to expanding
section in the weekly President’s Letter to share the Mail social media presence for WGA. Additionally, I plan
good deed initiatives of grocers with a broader During pre-Expo marketing, to send out more mail materials to encourage WGA
audience. Additionally, WGA Spotted initiatives WGA members received a variety members to register for more events, such as the
were shared in a video format during the streaming of mail materials to encourage Grocery Industry Golf Outing. In 2021, I will
of the 2020 WGA Virtual Grocers Innovation them and non-members to expand my video knowledge to continue the In the
Expo. Cheryl Lytle and I volunteered at Second register for the Expo. A variety of Business video series featuring Brandon Scholz, who
Harvest Foodbank in Madison for an afternoon mailers such as postcards and a conducts brief, informative interviews with grocers.
sorting and packaging fresh produce for families bi-fold brochure were sent in the Additionally, I plan to add videos to the WGA
in need. Post COVID-19, the WGA staff and I mail. Spotted initiative.
would like to schedule more opportunities to While mail communication is It is my priority to continue to connect the WGA
volunteer throughout Wisconsin. old school, it is the most community with a variety of relevant, effective
While I enjoy spotlighting the goodwill initiatives personable form of marketing as each recipient can communication and marketing methods. With
of WGA members, it’s also important for the keep the tangible mail item. Wisconsin Grocer COVID-19, it has been in the best interest to cancel
WGA staff to give back to the community. magazine, the iconic mailer exclusively written for most in-person WGA events. Once it is safe to
Volunteering has always been a passion of mine; WGA members, has been a delight to work on! gather again, I look forward to meeting the WGA
one of the many reasons why I find it important Cheryl and I would like to send out more mail community as I have not yet had a chance to meet
to share WGA Spotted initiatives is to provide a materials in 2021. everyone in person!
moment of pure positivity.
2020 Winter Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 29You can also read
