PFMA Conference in Hershey to address industry, government issues

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association announces lineup for speakers and sessions for the event

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) will host its fall legislative conference in Hershey focusing on food and beverage industry issues and government relations.

Scheduled for Oct. 13-14 at Hershey Country Club, the conference brings Pennsylvania’s Food and Beverage Industry together for two days to focus on government relations, advocacy, industry issues and member connections. The event begins Oct. 13, with a PFMA board meeting, Wholesalers Meeting, The Facts About Pricing session, cocktail reception and the Trailblazer Award Presentation and Dinner Reception. Programming continues Oct. 14, with breakfast, the State Election Update and Federal Update panel.

Registration for the conference closes on Oct. 6 at 5 p.m.

“PFMA’s Fall Legislative Conference gives our members direct access to the policy conversations affecting their businesses, employees and customers,” Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA, said in a statement. “This year’s agenda brings together experts from across the industry to discuss elections, federal policy, pricing, and other issues that will shape the year ahead.”

The program addresses the issues facing Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry, from the 2026 election cycle and federal policy developments to pricing, distribution and supply chain challenges. Attendees will hear from policy experts, national trade associations and industry leaders while also having opportunities to connect with peers and discuss the issues affecting their businesses.

A state election update will feature Christopher Nicholas of Eagle Consulting Group and Brit Crampsie, Principal at Brit Crampsie Communications, discussing Pennsylvania’s 2026 election cycle and what it means for the Food and Beverage Industry.

A federal update will have Andy Harig of FMI, Nick Johns of CBA and Stephanie Johnson of the National Grocers Association speaking on federal issues affecting food retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.

Harig will join Kathy Hayden and Ellen Smith of Inmar Intelligence, and Jessica Jacoby Lemos of UNFI to address modern pricing strategies and the facts surrounding pricing in the Food and Beverage Industry.

PFMA also will host a Wholesalers Meeting, bringing together wholesalers from across the Commonwealth to discuss key issues affecting distribution, supply chain operations and regulatory challenges.

In addition, PFMA will honor Michael Gould, President of Core-Mark Scranton OpCo, with the Lisa Dell’Alba Food Industry Trailblazer Award during the dinner reception. The award recognizes Gould’s leadership, industry contributions and longstanding commitment to Pennsylvania’s Food and Beverage Industry.

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