PFMA opens 2026 legislative conference registration

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has opened registration for its 2026 Fall Legislative Conference, scheduled for October 13-14 at Hershey Country Club. The venue, known for its historic charm and modern amenities, provides a backdrop that balances professional focus with networking opportunities, allowing attendees to engage in discussions while surrounded by the region’s natural beauty. Hershey Country Club, located just minutes from the town’s attractions, has long served as a gathering point for industry leaders seeking a setting that encourages both formal presentations and informal conversations.

The event will address government relations, advocacy, and key issues impacting Pennsylvania’s food and beverage sector. These discussions are particularly timely as the industry handles a setting shaped by regulatory changes, economic pressures, and evolving consumer expectations. PFMA president and CEO Alex Baloga stated that the conference gives members direct access to policy discussions that influence their operations, workforce, and customers. The association’s role extends beyond mere information sharing; it serves as a bridge between retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, and lawmakers, ensuring that the voices of smaller and mid-sized businesses are heard in legislative debates that often favor larger corporations with dedicated lobbying teams.

The 2026 agenda includes a session called The Facts About Pricing, led by Kathy Hayden of Inmar Intelligence. This discussion will explore modern pricing methods, such as dynamic and surveillance pricing, while correcting common misunderstandings for businesses and policymakers. Dynamic pricing, which adjusts costs based on demand, time of day, or inventory levels, has gained traction in the retail sector but remains controversial among consumers who may perceive it as unfair. Surveillance pricing, a more recent development, involves using real-time data—such as a shopper’s location, browsing history, or purchase patterns—to tailor prices on an individual basis. Hayden’s session will likely address the ethical and operational challenges these strategies present, including transparency concerns and the potential for backlash if customers feel manipulated. The discussion will also cover how smaller retailers can adopt these tools without alienating their customer base, particularly in communities where trust and personal relationships play a significant role in business success.

A State Election Update will feature Christopher Nicholas of Eagle Consulting Group and Brit Crampsie, principal at Brit Crampsie Communications. Their analysis will cover the 2026 election cycle and its potential effects on the industry. Pennsylvania’s status as a battleground state ensures that its elections draw national attention, and the outcomes can have direct consequences for food retailers. Key issues likely to be discussed include proposed changes to minimum wage laws, which could impact labor costs for businesses already struggling with thin profit margins. Other topics may involve regulations on food safety, labeling requirements, or restrictions on certain products, such as single-use plastics or sugary beverages, which have become flashpoints in recent legislative sessions. Nicholas and Crampsie will also examine how shifts in state leadership could influence tax policies, infrastructure investments, or funding for programs that support local agriculture, all of which shape the operating environment for food merchants.

A federal policy panel, hosted by Andy Harig of FMI and Stephanie Johnson of the National Grocers Association, will follow. This segment will look into broader national trends, such as supply chain resilience, trade policies affecting food imports and exports, and federal nutrition programs that drive consumer purchasing behavior. Harig and Johnson will likely address how federal legislation, such as the Farm Bill or updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), could create opportunities or challenges for Pennsylvania’s food retailers. The panel may also explore the implications of antitrust enforcement in the grocery sector, particularly as mergers and acquisitions continue to consolidate market power among a handful of large chains. For independent and regional retailers, understanding these federal trends is critical to anticipating competitive pressures and identifying niche markets where they can thrive.

Smaller retailers often lack access to the insights shared in these sessions. The information could help them refine pricing, staffing, or expansion strategies for the year ahead. Many of these businesses operate on tight budgets, leaving little room for trial and error when adopting new technologies or adjusting to regulatory changes. The conference’s focus on practical, actionable advice aims to level the playing field by providing smaller operators with the same strategic tools available to larger competitors. For example, a family-owned grocery store in rural Pennsylvania might use insights from the pricing session to implement a loyalty program that rewards frequent shoppers without resorting to aggressive discounting that erodes profit margins. Similarly, a convenience store chain with a handful of locations could leverage the election update to advocate for local policies that support small businesses, such as zoning changes that make it easier to open new stores in underserved areas.

A separate meeting for wholesalers will also take place, providing a space for leaders to address challenges and explore partnerships. Wholesalers play a critical but often overlooked role in the food supply chain, acting as intermediaries between producers and retailers. This segment of the industry faces unique pressures, including fluctuating fuel costs that affect distribution, labor shortages that disrupt delivery schedules, and the need to invest in technology to track inventory and manage orders efficiently. The wholesalers’ meeting will likely focus on collaborative solutions, such as shared warehousing or joint purchasing agreements, that allow smaller distributors to achieve economies of scale. Discussions may also cover how wholesalers can adapt to the growing demand for locally sourced products, which require different logistics than mass-produced goods shipped from national suppliers.

Related: Venezuela Earthquake Relief Gets Food Industry Boost

During the dinner reception, PFMA will honor Michael Gould, president of Core-Mark Scranton OpCo, with the Lisa Dell’Alba Food Industry Trailblazer Award. The recognition highlights his leadership and impact on the state’s food and beverage sector. Gould’s career reflects the evolving nature of the industry, where traditional distribution models are being reshaped by e-commerce, direct-to-consumer sales, and the rise of third-party delivery services. Core-Mark, a major player in convenience store distribution, has handled these changes by expanding its product offerings to include fresh foods, private-label goods, and technology solutions that help retailers manage inventory in real time. The award, named after a respected industry advocate, shows the importance of innovation and adaptability in an era where consumer preferences shift rapidly and new competitors—from meal kit services to online grocers—emerge constantly.

The first day’s schedule includes a PFMA board meeting, the pricing session, a cocktail reception, and the award presentation. The board meeting, typically closed to the general membership, allows association leaders to set priorities for the coming year, allocate resources, and address internal governance matters. The cocktail reception that follows serves a dual purpose: it provides a relaxed setting for networking while also reinforcing the sense of community among attendees. For many, these informal interactions lead to partnerships, mentorship opportunities, or simply the exchange of ideas that might not surface in a formal presentation. The award presentation, often the evening’s centerpiece, offers a moment to celebrate individual achievements while reminding attendees of the broader mission to strengthen Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry.

The second day will begin with breakfast, followed by the election update and federal policy panel. Breakfast sessions are a staple of industry conferences, offering a low-pressure environment for attendees to discuss the previous day’s takeaways and prepare for the day ahead. The election update and federal policy panel, scheduled for the morning when energy levels are high, ensure that these critical topics receive the attention they deserve. By placing them early in the day, the conference organizers signal their importance, encouraging attendees to engage fully rather than treating them as an afterthought.

Registration ends at 5 p.m. on October 6, with a hotel room block deadline of August 28. Additional information and sign-up details are available on the association’s website. The room block deadline is particularly important for attendees traveling from across the state, as Hershey’s popularity as a tourist destination means hotels fill quickly during peak seasons. The association has likely negotiated discounted rates for conference participants, making it more affordable for smaller businesses to send representatives. Those who miss the deadline may face higher costs or limited availability, which could deter some from attending and reduce the diversity of voices at the event.

This gathering arrives as the industry faces rising costs and shifting consumer habits. Supply chain disruptions, which began during the pandemic, continue to affect the availability and pricing of goods, forcing retailers to rethink their sourcing strategies. Meanwhile, inflation has altered consumer behavior, with shoppers increasingly prioritizing value over brand loyalty. Many are turning to private-label products, bulk purchases, or discount retailers to stretch their budgets, while others seek out premium or specialty items that align with their health or ethical preferences. The conference will provide a forum to discuss these trends in depth, offering attendees a chance to hear from peers who have successfully adapted to the new realities. For example, some retailers have found success by expanding their prepared food offerings, catering to time-strapped consumers who prefer ready-to-eat meals over traditional grocery shopping. Others have invested in digital tools, such as mobile apps or self-checkout kiosks, to streamline the shopping experience and reduce labor costs. The insights shared at the conference could help businesses identify which strategies are most relevant to their specific markets and customer bases.

The event also comes at a time when the role of food retailers in their communities is evolving. Beyond simply selling products, many stores are positioning themselves as hubs for local engagement, offering services like cooking classes, nutrition education, or even community gardens. Some have partnered with schools or nonprofits to address food insecurity, recognizing that their success is tied to the well-being of the neighborhoods they serve. The conference’s focus on advocacy and policy reflects this broader responsibility, encouraging attendees to think beyond their bottom lines and consider how their businesses can contribute to the social and economic health of Pennsylvania.