SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Program in Development
Monday, November 9
9 am - 12 pm
FIAE Strategic Plan
The Observatory
12 - 5 pm
Registration
Main Lobby
3 - 5 pm
Women’s Leadership Initiative
The Observatory
Leah Wong Ashburn, CEO, Highland Brewery
5 - 9 pm
Welcome Reception
The Draftsman
An evening of Food, Fun, Karaoke, Bowling, Games!
Tuesday, November 10
7:30 am - 12 pm
Registration
Sixth Floor
8 - 8:45 am
Hearty Breakfast Buffet
The Observatory
8:45 am - 12:30 pm
General Session – Government Affairs
The Solarium
Generously supported by
8:45 am
Welcome to North Carolina
Lindsey Kueffner, Carolinas Food Industry Council
9 - 9:45 am
Opportunities and Challenges for the Supermarket Industry After the 2026 Midterms
Greg Ferrara, NGA
With the 2026 midterm elections now behind us, Washington is entering a new phase that will shape the policy landscape for the supermarket industry. Affordability and the economy were central themes throughout the election cycle, and they remain front and center in the policy agenda. The direction of policy impacting our industry will now hinge on how the new Congress and administration align or clash on these priorities. For the food industry, this environment presents both opportunity and risk on both the federal and state levels. That makes engagement and advocacy more critical than ever. Greg will share NGA’s initial reaction on what the election results mean, how the policy landscape is shifting, and NGA and its members are navigating uncertainty, shaping the debate, and seizing opportunities in the months ahead.
9:45 – 10:45 am
After the Dust Settles: What 2026 Tells Us About a Polarized America
Ryan Houck, Partner | Consensus Communications
A post-election look at what the 2026 midterms reveal about polarization, ideological segregation, and shifting coalitions in American politics. Rather than relitigating individual races, this session focuses on the deeper trends underneath the results: how voters are sorting themselves culturally and geographically, how traditional demographic assumptions are breaking down, and what this means for parties, policymakers, and brands trying to communicate in an increasingly fragmented environment.
10:45 - 11 am
Refreshment Break
11 am - 12:30 pm
Government Relations Panel/Roundtable
Moderated by Dave Davis
12:30 - 2 pm
Luncheon and Program
The Watch Restaurant
Speaker: Historian from The Biltmore
3 - 9 pm
FIAE Does The Biltmore
Schedule: Buses depart hotel at 3 pm; drop at Biltmore mansion for self-guided shops/café/garden 3:30-5 pm; mansion open 5-6:30 pm; buses transport to Lioncrest for reception/dinner 7-9 pm; return to hotel
Generously supported by
Wednesday, November 11
8 am
Continental Breakfast Buffet
The Observatory
8:45 am - 12:30 pm
General Session – Association Management
The Solarium
8:45 - 9:15 am
Asheville Food Bank - Overcoming the Hurricane
Claire Neal, DrPH, CEO, MANNA Food Bank
9:15 - 10:15 am
Networking with LinkedIn© Advantage: Strategies for Connecting, Networking, and Branding
Debra Mathias
This one-hour session is designed to help you leverage LinkedIn strategically to build meaningful connections, strengthen your professional and business brand, and expand your network with intention. Learn practical approaches to turn everyday interactions into lasting business relationships.
10:15 – 10:45 am
Refreshment Break
10:45- 11:30 am
Pearls from an Association Executive
Chris Flynn
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
When There Is No Playbook: Leading Through Complexity and Change
Brian Riggs
Leadership is most visible in moments where scripts don’t exist—and for association executives in the food sector, those moments are becoming the norm. This session explores how to lead when the path forward isn’t clear, helping participants recognize patterns within complexity, unlock better questions, and guide their organizations with confidence. Through real-world examples and practical frameworks, leaders will learn how to turn uncertainty into direction and pressure into progress.
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Luncheon
The Watch
Presentation of CBA Excellence in Government Award
FIAE Annual Membership Meeting / Present Strategic Plan
Generously supported by
1:30 - 3 pm
State Executive Roundtable (Closed Session)
Moderated by Michael Durant, Food Industry Alliance of New York State
6:30 pm
Brewery Crawl
Generously supported by
