Tiffany Crandell, Territory Sales Manager, Mars Inc.
Former Store Director, A.J.’s Fine Foods, Phoenix
An experience I will always remember is having the opportunity to be a part of the 2020 NGA Show in San Diego and being able to connect with some of the best independent grocers in America.
Attending with a goal to learn, educate and network with other industry leaders contributed not only to me being able to enhance my personal growth and development, but also to me giving back a little to the Industry I have been a part of for years.
The conference keynote speakers and workshops gave all attendees a break from everyday business to focus on learning how to optimize relationships between retailers, manufacturers and service suppliers. Each day was filled with fun and educational opportunities.
I was fortunate to be a part of the Student Case Study Competitions for the second year in a row. This program is intended to further the development of students striving to obtain degrees to work in the food industry. It requires them to develop a solution for real-world food industry problems. They do this through months of extensive research, spreading from fall through spring sessions, before presenting their ideas. This year, instead of being on the student presentation side, I was able to help by mediating the teams presenting in the competition. I really enjoyed being able to mentor some of the students and express my passion for the food industry to these young professionals.
Being able to volunteer in the Women Grocers of America 5K fun run was also very meaningful to me, being that I have personally been a scholarship recipient for years while on my journey to obtaining my degree. I know how much it means to have others believe in you enough to help you pay for your education and I know that I would not be where I am today I had not had so much encouragement from people that I consider great leaders.
