2019 Annual Meeting Review
The Association for Dressings & Sauces’ (ADS) Annual Meeting, held at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas October 5-7, emphasized the instrumental role all of our members play in making their companies and the industry the best it can be. In all, 113 attended the Annual Meeting, which focused on management and marketing insights.
Thank You!
ADS offers a sincere “thank you” to all our Annual Meeting Sponsors:
| DIAMOND SPONSOR: Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company, Inc. EMERALD SPONSOR: |
SAPPHIRE SPONSORS: GFF, Inc. Givaudan, A Division of Naturex Mold-Rite Plastics AMETHYST SPONSORS: |
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
ADS members mingled at the Welcome Reception & Awards Dinner, where the 2019 Dressing, Sauce, and Package of the Year Award Winners were announced:
- Dressing of the Year 2019: GFF, Inc. for its Mint Lime with Tequila Dressing
- Sauce of the Year 2019: GFF, Inc. for its Mango Gochujang Sautee Sauce
- Package of the Year 2019: The Clorox Company for its Hidden Valley Ranch Topping & Dressing LOOP Package
(Pictured, left to right: Dave Nicholson, CEO of HACO US, parent company of GFF, Inc.; Dr. Ritu Mishra Associate Research Fellow, The Clorox Company; photo of awards)
Attendees enjoyed the winning dressing and sauce during the dinner. Congratulations to all winners!
To view photos of the winning products, visit the ADS Members-Only website.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
ADS Chair of the Board, Brian Dick of Golden State Foods, provided attendees with “The State of the Association”, an update on ADS’ activities and the ADS strategic plan, which is designed to advance the mayonnaise, salad dressings, and sauces industry through communicating product benefits, working with government agencies and consumer influentials, and facilitating the exchange of industry ideas.
Brian then acknowledged ADS award winners, originally crowned during the Saturday Evening Awards Dinner, with another round of 
congratulations. Brian also acknowledged Dr. Ritu Mishra of The Clorox Company (pictured at right), winner of the ADS Technical Service Award for 2019, reminding others to nominate colleagues for the 2020 Award. Dr. Mishra was presented her award during the 2019 ADS Technical Meeting in Louisville, KY.
| Brian also noted the winners of the ADS 2019 Technical Achievement Award: the ADS Packaging Committee.
Pictured (left to right): Lou Belmont, Sonoco Products Company — Tim Ferrel, Ring Container Technologies — Cecilia Brock, Sauer Brands — David O’Keefe, Langguth America, Ltd. — Mark Griffin, Winpak, Ltd. Not Pictured: Merily Blasi, Ken’s Foods, Inc. — Joni Fagan, Ken’s Foods, Inc. — Greg Halfmann, Litehouse, Inc. — John Perry, Ken’s Foods, Inc. — Brian Smith, Ring Container Technologies |
 Jeff Fromm of FutureCast, LLC reviewed “Food Strategies for Winning with Millennials, Gen Z & Boomers”. He noted the differences between disruptive and sustaining innovation, along with how to nurture a culture of innovation. He also provided a look into Generation Z, Millennials (Gen Y), Gen X, Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation and how brands should approach each. |
 Stan Samples, ADS Communications Manager in his “ADS Communications Update” reviewed the progress to date in building awareness for the dressings, mayonnaise and sauces categories, including ADS website content, social media channels, co-op satellite media tour (TV and radio) and internet advertising on Facebook and news websites. Stan also reported on progress towards reaching Key Performance Indicator (KPI) goals. |
 Chef Jeff Haines of Bonduelle Fresh Americas/Ready Pac Foods shared with attendees the “Culinary Innovation Process”. What could be the next Kale? What is the next Greek Yogurt? What’s the next Sriracha? He also discussed trends on the rise, including African flavors, ethnic spices and Middle Eastern flavors. He also highlighted two innovations in action from his company: Tropical Mango Bistro Bowl and Bistro LTO. |
The Culinary Challenge Networking Event and Reception, held on Sunday evening, served as another great opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to become acquainted with one another. Moderated by George Arbocus of Chelten House Products, Inc. two teams competed using a common basket of ingredients. The results: a split decision! The popular vote from members gave the green team the nod, while Chef Khoa Pham of JW Marriott deemed the khaki team the winner. On the winner’ behalf, a$500 donation was made to the Hope Food Pantry Austin, an organization that distributes groceries to approximately 1,400 individuals a month through three programs: Weekly Distribution, Backpacks to Schools and Partners’ designated families.
Pictured (left to right): Ryan Schuelke, Enercon Industries Corporation; Jason Dabrow, Chelten House Products, Inc.; Daryan Johnson, Kagome, Inc.; Chef Khoa Pham, JW Marriott; Tom McGirty,
T. Marzetti Company; Suzanne Hammer, Red Arrow Products and Vince Pasquale, Accurate Ingredients, Inc.)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7
 Tom Morrison began with “Marketplace Disruption and Personal Development”. Change is happening fast. Tom stressed to members to use metrics to know when to change, where to change, while predicting with precision, looking for a change motivator. At the same time, it’s important to realize the three drivers of disruption: Emerging Technologies, Consumer Buying Habits and Demographic Shifts. |
 Tim Greiner of Pure Strategies presented “Sustainability in the Dressings and Sauces Industry”. Tim discussed how material issues in the dressing and sauces industry require looking at not only operations but also the supply chain: Plastics & Waste; Climate, Water & Agriculture; and People: Supply Chain Labor Customers & Employees. At the same time, it’s important to consider Oversight & Accountability/Transparency through Governance. |
(Presentations available online at https://adsmembers.org/2019-annual-meeting/.)
IN ADDITION
ADS Austin Excursions:
In addition to educational sessions and committee meetings, attendees enjoyed another networking event by participating in the Texas BBQ + Brew Tour on Sunday and the Twisted Texas Brunch Bus on Monday.
Congratulations to ADS Buck Recipients!
The following were awarded ADS Bucks during the Annual Meeting:
- Luis Rivas, G.S. DUNN Ltd for his referral of Schluter & Maack
- Jeff Crace, California Garlic Company for his referral of Gamay Flavors
- Pete Leitner, Admix, Inc for his referral of Giraffe Foods
- David Horowitz, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences for his referral of Silva International
Committee Meetings
Also taking place at the 2019 Annual Meeting were the following meetings: Board of Directors; Executive Technical Board; Membership Advisory Council; and Packaging Committee. If you have an interest in being a part of any of these Committees, please contact Headquarters for more information.
Association Business
Congratulations New Officers and Directors!
The 2020 ADS Officers and Directors were also elected during Monday’s general business session of the ADS Annual Meeting.
The 2020 Officers: Brian Dick, Chair, Golden State Foods, Ron Emonet, Vice Chair, Reily Foods Company, Ryan Brooks, Treasurer, Brooks Bottling Co., LLC and Paul Pratt, Secretary, T. Marzetti Company.
The 2020 Directors: Rob Beaseau of Ventura Foods, Jason Chesney of Sauer Brands, John Curtin of The Clorox Company, Jason Dabrow of Chelten House Products, Inc., Doug Hawkins of Litehouse, Inc., Paula Klassen of TreeHouse Foods, Tom McGirty of T. Marzetti Company, ETB Liaison, Bob Merchant of Ken’s Foods, Inc., Dave Nicholson of , GFF, Inc., George Reisinger of, Pretium Packaging, MAC Liaison, and Ryan Schuelke of Enercon Industries Corporation.
Thank You Wendell Christoff, Steve Dabrow and Joe Higgs
Wendell Christoff, Steve Dabrow and Joe Higgs were recognized for their many years of service on ADS’ Board of Directors. While Wendell is retiring from Litehouse, Inc. and ADS, Steve and Joe have indicated that they still plan to participate in ADS. Many thanks for all of your contributions.
Future Meetings
| 2020 Technical Meeting April 26 – April 28 Sheraton New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana |
2020 Annual Meeting October 3-5 Scottsdale Plaza Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona |
For more information, please log onto the Members-Only section of the ADS website at www.adsmembers.org. Please contact Headquarters if you need the password.
