SEMA 2007 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

T.E.A.M.
“Together Everyone Achieves More”

2007 SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION CONVENTION PROGRAM
Shores Resort & Spa,
Daytona Beach FL,
JUNE 8-9, 2007

SEMA ATTENDEES ACHIEVED MORE

The SEMA convention theme proved true as a T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More). Everyone had a good time while learning, sharing ideas and networking. The convention was off to a great start as the exhibits opened and members were able to meet with their suppliers or meet new suppliers. The exhibitors had two $250.00 cash drawings, with this years winners being Greg Voorhees from Great Western Meats and Clint Goss from Striplings Meat Market. Anyone who attended the exhibits this year went home a winner with new ideas.

President Adam Chernin started the meeting with a welcome and business meeting. After the business meeting, Dr. Loveday from the University of Tennessee took over as the moderator and kept things going. A few of the highlights were; keynote speaker Michael Angelo Caruso, who was a hit with his presentation on Pro-active Communications. Michael is the author of the book “5 Cool Ideas”, which everyone received a copy, thanks to some our members sponsorship. Everyone will be getting or improving their websites after Triality’s, Chris Menard’s presentation. Some of the presenters touched on everyday concerns such as Jeff Chiltons presentation on Intensified Verification Testing; Jerry Murphy’s suggestion on Dealing with Wastewater; Dr. Sally Williams and Larry Eubanks teamed up to bring us marinating, value added and new product cuts. Some SEMA Associate members “TEAM-ed” up to talk about their products and services. Friday evening everyone watched the NASA shuttle lift-off while bidding on items and purchasing raffle tickets to benefit the SEMA scholarships. Ferril Maddox from Encore SE Marketing & Sales won the raffle drawing. To finish the evening, SEMA President Adam Chernin auctioned off the SEMA frog, with the highest bidder being Gene Funkhouser from A.C. Legg Seasoning. Special thanks, to A.C. Legg, for their $1510.00 donation to the scholarship fund.

Moderator Chris Salamone from John R White Co., got Saturday morning started early at breakfast with the table-topics session. Mike Satzow, President of North Country Smokehouse was a great finish for the business session as he shared his business strategies via power-point presentation. Comedian Mark Mayfield had everyone laughing and thinking as he entertained us with his TEAM working and living together routine.

A successful convention is only as good as its attendees. This year’s convention was well attended by people in the industry that wanted to learn, share, network and partner and that is what SEMA is all about. You do not want to miss next year’s convention at The Club at Hammock Beach in Palm Coast, Florida, June 6-7, 2008.

Some comments from this years attendees:

• "I met a lot of people and what a great bunch. I look forward to next year's meeting."
• "I was really impressed with the turnout and hopefully we will see the organization continue to
  grow. Congratulations on another great SEMA convention."
• "I especially like the plant tour and sharing of ideas."
• "Great bunch of people in a great location."

SEMA 2007-2008 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The annual SEMA business meeting was held at the convention, where a new Executive Board of Directors was appointed:

• President–Scott Downing, Lowell Packing Co.
• Vice President-Scott Kelley, Kelley Foods of Alabama
• Treasurer-Wayne Lord, Lord’s Sausage & Country Hams
• Past President Adam Chernin will serve as Chairman of the Board

Chris Huff from Flanders Provision Co. was elected to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Board members reelected are: George Baker-R.L. Ziegler Co., Jimmy Carroll-Sunset Farm Foods, Kevin Crofton-Crofton & Sons, Al Kaempfer- Register Meat Co., David Lee-D.L. Lee & Sons, Ferril Maddox-Encore Sales & Marketing, Billy Nettles-Nettles Sausage Co., Larry Odom-Odom’s Tennessee Pride, David Solana-Roger Wood Foods Inc., Harry Wampler-Family Brand International, Don Wilson-Fieldstone Meats of Alabama, Ron Brown-Cryovac Sealed Air, Gene Funkhouser-A.C. Legg, Inc., Karla Weiszer-Wolfson Casing Corporation.

SEMA SCHOLARSHIPS

At the Friday evening silent auction, SEMA’s four scholarship recipients were each awarded a $1,000.00 scholarship. Congratulations to; Samantha Shellhammer-University of Florida, Katrie McMutrie-Auburn, Josh Irvin-University of Georgia, Chelsea Cooper-University of Tennessee. All have a 3.0 average or better. Recipients worked the silent auction helping to raise money for next year’s scholarship recipients.

Thanks to all our members that donated cash and items to auction. The auction was a success due to their help and to the people purchasing the items. The SEMA frog is auctioned off each year to help raise scholarship money. This year A.C. Legg’s Gene Funkhouser helped up exceed our goal by having the highest bid of $1,510.00. Special thanks, to A.C. Legg Co of Calera, AL for their generous donation.

THE SEMA T-E-A-M WORKING TOGETHER

The sold-out tabletop exhibits were well attended, as it was a great opportunity to see current and meet new suppliers. Thanks to the following Associate members that exhibited:

****If you currently are not a member, come at the non-member rate and receive SEMA membership for the balance of 2007. First person/couple pays the non-member rate and the others can come at member rate.****

Convention registration will open Thursday at 4:30 p.m. You will want to arrive Thursday, as the convention will start Friday with a Continental Breakfast in the exhibit area at 8:00 a.m. The SEMA President will kick-off the convention program at 10:00 a.m. Friday will be a full day of presentations and visiting exhibitors, ending with the SEMA scholarship auction. Saturday starts with a buffet breakfast and table topics. There will be more interesting presentations and one last chance to visit exhibitors before heading to the golf course or beach. The Champions Banquet, Saturday evening, will round out the convention.

EXHIBITS:
Come see and learn what’s new in the industry.

SOME CONVENTION TOPICS:

• Retail and Foodservice - Future Trends
• Plant Tours – Power-point presentations given by successful industry people
• Website – If done right, it can be a great sales tool for your company and products
• The University of Florida will give us some new product ideas and show us how to cut them
• Waste-water, diesel, oil - how do you dispose of them, what happens if they enter the ground
• Packaging - which is best for different types of products and shelf life
• Listeria Directive 10240.5 - how does it affect you
• Labeling - eye appeal, it makes the first sale
• Insurance - learn what to look for

*FUN & SUN: Enjoy a round of golf, sun on the world famous Daytona Beach, visit the speedway, and Ponce Inlet lighthouse.

Thursday: June 7th, Exhibitors Set-up 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: June 8th, Exhibits open 8 a.m., Meeting starts at 10 a.m.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Call Toll Free 866.934.7467 to reserve your room
Group Name: Southeastern Meat Association
Group Rate: Riverview $129 Oceanview $149 Oceanfront $189, plus 12.5% tax, rate based on single or double occupancy
extra person $15.

For transportation: AA1A Limo & Airport Shuttle Service 386-586-5436

Printable Convention Forms

Click on the link for the printable format you would like - either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF. These open in a new window.