AWMA Changes Name To Convenience Distribution Association

LAS VEGAS -- The American Wholesale Marketers Association announced a name change and a substantial expansion of its government relations and industry affairs efforts during its Marketplace & Solutions Expo here.

"Changes in the way people work and do business have been accelerated by adoption of new technologies," said chairman Rob Sincavich, Team Sledd (Wheeling, WV), "and these changes have increased people's expectations of trade associations, as well. That means AWMA must change to effectively meet the needs of our evolving membership."

Regarding the change in name from the American Wholesale Marketers Association to the Convenience Distribution Association, Sincavich said it more accurately describes what the organization is all about. "It is who we are. It is what we do," he explained. "We distribute convenience products in varying retail formats and store sizes. We distribute convenience products institutionally. When we talk to our government representatives, they will know who we are and what we do. It makes sense."

The group's board of directors approved the name change at its meeting in Las Vegas Feb. 24. The board also endorsed a wide-ranging program of enhancements to the association that include increased emphasis on government affairs, including the launch of an online State Advocacy Center, and beefed-up industry affairs and member engagement efforts, supported by the hiring of two industry veterans. Steve Shing, formerly with GSC Enterprises Inc. (Sulphur Springs, TX), was named vice-president of member engagement, and David Dresser, formerly of Core-Mark International Inc. (South San Francisco, CA), becomes vice-president of program development.

Plans also call for increased collaboration with a wide range of other industry associations in an effort to improve the efficacy of programs and encourage supply chain collaboration and efficiency; the establishment of a series of "communities" designed to encourage collaboration and learning, both at person-to-person gatherings and through a new custom-built on-line portal; and establishment of a Manufacturer Advisory Council designed to elicit more comprehensive input from manufacturer partners.

The association is already well on its way toward implementation of the enhancements, Sincavich said, with the State Advocacy Center now launched and development of the on-line community portal underway. The name change will be phased in over the next few months, according to association president and chief executive Scott Ramminger.

"While the AWMA name has served us well, it has presented some challenges," Ramminger reported. "Every time we go to Capitol Hill, we have to explain who it is we represent. Convenience Distribution Association is pretty clear."

Ramminger also announced that Kimberly Bolin has been promoted to executive vice-president of CDA. She will have broad responsibility for implementing the program enhancements. For the past five years, Bolin has managed membership at AWMA.

The American Wholesale Marketers Association -- now the Convenience Distribution Association -- was formed in 1991 by the merger of the National Tobacco Distributors Association and the National Candy Wholesalers Association. It is headquartered in Fairfax, VA, and maintains a website at awmanet.org.