2012 IFBA Top to Top Conference
About
The 9th Annual IFBA Top to Top Executive Business Conference is a gathering of leaders among food brokers, manufacturers and suppliers to the food and CPG channels. Hosted by the IFBA division of NARMS International, a global trade association that gathers a broad array of retail service companies with manufacturer/suppliers and retailers, this event provides opportunity for self-scheduled B2B meetings between manufacturer/suppliers and broker members of IFBA/NARMS.
The IFBA Lounge area is intended for casual networking and conversation and NOT formal B2B meetings! In addition to the rental meeting space being made available, additional tables/chairs will be made available in the Pre-Function area adjacent to the Grand Ballroom on Level 2 for extended discussion on a first-come, first-serve basis. Additional meeting room space is available for rent in the conference registration process.
May 15-17, 2012 at Renaissance Chicago Hotel, Chicago, IL, Corner of Wacker & State, just south of Chicago River and at NE edge of Chicago Theatre District
This year’s conference should be the best ever! Make sure you arrive in time Tuesday for Important Share Group & Committee afternoon meetings!
Network with brokers from all across North America
Fill your daily schedule with B2B broker/manufacturer supplier meetings
Network with other brokers and manufacturers at evening social receptions
Gain market perspectives from industry leaders
Keynote address – Industry Trends shared by Roger Davidson, Chief Operating Officer, MaGi Foods LLC, San Antonio, TX
More Meeting Space Available for B2B meetings. Click on the B2B Meeting Space tab above.
Added Bonus: Manufacturer/Suppliers – Don’t miss out on attending the Manufacturer Share Group Session, Tuesday, May 15 from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. We encourage that at least one representative from each registered manufacturing company attend this idea/issue-sharing conversation to be led by experienced group facilitator Harold Lloyd!
Registration
Registration will become available in the next couple of days.
Agenda
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
IFBA Registration will be available in Grand Ballroom (IV-VI), Level 2 of Renaissance Chicago Hotel from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.
IFBA Divisional Steering Committee meets from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; includes light lunch.
Manufacturer Advisory Council (MAC) SHARE GROUP DISCUSSION includes representatives from all Top to Top registered Manufacturer companies from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., includes light lunch. This unique discussion will be facilitated by Harold Lloyd. This is certainly a “DON’T MISS IT” shared discussion opportunity that every manufacturer will want to attend this session taking place on Level three, Renaissance Ballroom “D”.
The Renaissance Ballroom (A-B) on Level three will host the IFBA Top to Top “State of the IFBA” General Session from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. with attendance by all registrants to IFBA Top to Top, including both Manufacturers and IFBA Broker members of NARMS. We’ll hear from IFBA Chair, Phil Karl; Garrett Smith, MAC Volunteer Chair; & Keynote Speaker Roger Davidson, COO of MaGi Foods.
The entire group will then recess to the Opening Night Reception from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom, Level 2, as conclusion of the day’s hosted events.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
IFBA Registration and IFBA Lounge area is available from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Grand Ballroom IV-VI.
IFBA Education Session will take place 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. and include breakfast in Ballroom IV-VI on Level 2 where Harold Lloyd will present “Merchandising Magic”.
B2B sessions may be scheduled between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday.
A light lunch buffet will be available between 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. in Grand Ballroom (IV-VI), Level 2
Networking Reception in Grand Ballroom (IV-VI), Level 2 from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
IFBA Registration and IFBA Lounge area is available from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the Grand Ballroom (IV-VI).
Continental Breakfast will be offered 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. in Ballroom IV-VI on Level 2.
B2B sessions may be scheduled between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday.
A light lunch buffet will be available between 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. in Grand Ballroom (IV-VI), Level 2
Conference Ends – 5 p.m. Thursday – See you next year!
Hotel
Renaissance Chicago Hotel
1 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
312-372-7200
Corner of Wacker & State, just south of Chicago River and
at NE edge of Chicago Theatre District
Be sure to book your hotel room as soon as possible in seeking group room block pricing, as available. After the IFBA room block is filled, reservations will be accepted on “space available” basis at prevailing hotel room rates. Absolute hotel cut-off date for Top to Top-available group block pricing is Monday, April 30, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST. Standard rooms run $279/night; Club rooms at $299/night; Executive Suites at $349/night and Riviera Suites at $399/night.
Hotel reservations available at 312.372.7200 or click here to book your hotel room now
Standard Room Reservation at $279
Executive Suite Reservation at $349
Riviera Suite Reservation at $399
Group Rate expires on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 5 p.m. CST
Sponsorship
Friend of NARMS/IFBA at $250
We know not everyone will be able to attend this year’s conference! But it takes more than conference registrations and generous sponsor dollars to allow us to host this great annual conference! The Friend of NARMS sponsorship opportunity gives the NARMS / IFBA member, supplier or supporter of any size the opportunity to proclaim their pride in affiliation with NARMS / IFBA. As a “Friend of NARMS” you’ll benefit from special acknowledgement in the conference program book and be designated on the NARMS website. Do your part or consider doing extra by becoming a “FRIEND OF NARMS”!
IFBA Top to Top Platinum Sponsorship $8,000
IFBA Top to Top Gold Sponsorship $5,000
IFBA Top to Top Silver Sponsorship $3,000
Opening General Session ‘State of the IFBA’ Sponsorship $5,000
Keynote Speaker Sponsor – Tuesday, May 15
Tuesday Opening Night Reception – Co-Sponsor $5,000
Wednesday Night Networking Reception Co-Sponsor $5,000
IFBA Hotel Key Card Sponsorship $2,500
Want to have your logo noticed throughout the three-day event at Top to Top? Sponsor the hotel key card and your logo will traffic heavily, both day and night!
IFBA Name Badge Sponsorship $3,500
What’s more important than one’s name? Be there with small logo treatment on each individual name tag throughout the meeting with this sponsorship!
IFBA Program Pens & Notepads $4,000
Sponsor the official RMMC program pen and note pad and make your mark in everyone’s note taking!
IFBA Coffee Service Sleeve Holders $1,800
Help attendees stay safe as they place ‘jackets on their java’ with your name in prominence!
IFBA Reception Cocktail Napkins $1,800
When it’s time to relax during reception time, step up your networking game with company name/logo recognition as cold beverages are served!
IFBA Water Break Station Sponsorship $2,500
Conference attendees will take a break to ‘wet their whistle’ at our general break stations. You can help them notice you at break time by being this year’s sponsor.
IFBA Conference Attache’ Case Sponsorship $3,500
Help the attendees “keep their stuff together” by sponsoring this year’s conference bag!
IFBA Top to Top Lanyard Sponsorship $3,000
Want to ‘hang around’ with everyone at this year’s Top to Top? There’s no better than to sponsor the lanyard and team up with each name tag to help conference attendees gain entry to all conference events!
IFBA Internet Café Co-Sponsor $2,500
Advertising opportunities:
IFBA 9th Annual Top to Top Program Book:
- Pocket Size, Full page = 8” x 3 ½”; half-pages = 4” x 3 ½”
- Space and ad copy deadline is April 27th
- Files need to be PDF, ESP or TIFF files for either MAC or PC formats
- Send ad copy file to Ken McKenzie
Inside Front Cover $4,000
Inside Back Cover $3,500
Back Cover $4,500
Inside Full Page Ad $1,500
Inside Half Page Ad $800
For information, contact Ken McKenzie
B2B Meeting Space
Meeting Room Space Available for Rent for B2B meetings:
THIRD FLOOR MEETING SPACES:
BRIDGEPORT ROOM – (18’ X 27’) rated conference for 20 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
BUCKTOWN “A” ROOM – (18’ X 26.5’) rated conference for 18 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
BUCKTOWN “B” ROOM – (18’ X 26.5”) rated conference for 18 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
OLD TOWN ROOM – (19’ X 25’) rated conference for 15 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
PRINTERS ROW ROOM – (18’ X 25’) rated conference for 18 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
WRIGLEYVILLE ROOM – (15’ X 35’) rated conference for 12 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
FOURTH FLOOR MEETING SPACES:
MICHIGAN ROOM – (15’ X 54’) rated conference for 30 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
WACKER ROOM – (16/31’ X 13/13’) rated conference for 16 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
DEARBORN ROOM – (17/27’ X 17/26’) rated conference for 22 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
CLARK ROOM – (11’ X 36’) rated conference for 15 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
LASALLE ROOM – (15’ X 54’) rated conference for 36 persons
Rent Both Wednesday/Thursday $800 total
Rent Wednesday, May 16 – Single Day $500
Rent Thursday, May 17 – Single Day $500
International
If you are traveling into the United States for the IFBA Executive Business Conference, please check that you have all the required documents. Click here to go to the US State Department website
