2022 Annual Business Forum

Meeting Program

Monday, October 10‎
‎8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ‎

State of the Association

Ryan Brooks
Brooks’ Bottling Co.‎
ADS’ Chair of the Board

The Culture Equation

Jessica Kriegel
Intentional Culture Institute

Economic Update
‎ ‎
Dr. Chris Keuhl
Armada Corporate Intelligence ‎

Tuesday, October 11‎
‎8:00 – 11:30 a.m.‎

Class Action Litigation and Claims Substantiation – Managing Risk

Brian Sylvester
ADS Legal Counsel
Covington & Burling LLP

Supply Chain Panel

Jason Dabrow – Panel Moderator
Chelten House Products, LLC

Trisha McRoberts
Golden State Foods

Allen Sass
Wisconsin Spice, Inc.‎

Alex Gonzalez
Sonoco ‎

NOTE: Times subject to change. Consult onsite final program for exact times and room locations. ‎

Schedule of Events

Scheduling of Non-ADS Functions

Please remember that no events are to be scheduled to conflict with official ADS events.  This would include hospitality suites, special breakfasts or dinners, recreational activities, including transportation and similar events.

Open Committee Description:

Business Meetings

Please refer to the Schedule of Events for a complete listing of all meetings.  The General Session on Monday and Tuesday are from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.  These informative sessions are open to all registrants.

The Board of Directors, the Executive Technical Board and the Membership Advisory Council meetings are open only to the appointed members of those committees.  The Packaging Committee is open to all registered delegates.  See the Schedule of Events for details.

Packaging Committee

While you’re in Charleston, you are welcome to attend the Packaging Committee Meeting, which is open to all Meeting attendees.  The mission of the Packaging Committee is to address the packaging/ packaging system needs of ADS members and to provide a forum to review packaging-related topics.  The group meets twice a year during the Annual Business Forum and Annual Technical Meeting. The Committee will consider a project related to sustainability.  In addition, the Committee will evaluate speaker topics for the April 2023 Committee meeting.  An update on these projects will be provided during the October 8 Committee Meeting.

Sunday, October 9

6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception & Awards Dinner

Winners of the 2022 awards, Dressing, Sauce and Package of the Year, and Supplier Partner of the Year will be announced during the Awards Dinner!  You do not want to miss this special event to honor and recognize our 2022 award entrants and recipients!

2021 Award Winners:  

Brooks’ Bottling Co.‎
Dressing Of The Year
Charlie Wind

Golden State Foods ‎
Package Of The Year
Pictured above left to right: Brad Cohlmia, ‎Sealed Air Cryovac, Suzanne ‎Mailman, ‎Golden State Foods, Scott Witherspoon, ‎Sealed Air Cryovac, ‎Brian Dick, Golden State ‎Foods

Chelten House Products, LLC
Sauce Of The Year
Pictured left to right of Chelten House Products, ‎LLC: Kitrina ‎Vazquez, George Arbocus, Jason ‎Dabrow, ‎Rachel Weiner, Perri ‎Steinfeld

Sponsorship Opportunities

ADS is offering sponsorships for many of the functions and events that take place at its Annual Business Forum.  Sponsorships are available to all members, Manufacturers and Suppliers, and provide a unique opportunity to create added visibility and name recognition for your company, products, and services.

Sponsorships for each of the individual functions and events noted below will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  You can select and pay for your sponsorship online when registering for the Meeting or contact Robin Roane at [email protected] to pre-select your sponsorship by September 1.

Sponsor Guidelines

1. Diamond Sponsorship cannot be sponsored by the same company in consecutive years unless it is available at the published deadline.
2. Sponsorship limited to one (1) item per company per Meeting.
3. All sponsorships are based on a first-come, first-served basis, taking into consideration the information contained in Point 1 above.
4. All promotions will be provided by ADS as outlined in the Sponsor Levels and Benefits document.  No giveaways allowed.
5. If payment for sponsorship is not received within 30 days of commitment, the sponsored activity will be placed back in the sponsorship offerings.

Sponsor Levels

ADS Sponsor Levels and Benefits

• *Contact Robin Roane at [email protected] if interested in this sponsorship opportunity.

* No substitutions allowed.

Registration Information

Registration for the ADS Annual Business Forum will take place exclusively online and is designed to save you time.  Register by August 18 and you will qualify for the special advanced registration fee!  Immediately following your registration, an email confirmation will be sent to you, summarizing your selections and payment.  Simply print the confirmation for convenient expense reporting.  Contact Headquarters if you have questions or are unable to register online.

Click here to register.  Enter your email address.  If you have a current record in the database, enter your self-determined password and follow the prompts to register.

If you do not have a record in the database, please follow these instructions as a first-time user, to create a new account. Here are the steps to do that:‎

• Please navigate to this page,‎ https://portal.dressings-sauces.org
• You will see the log in-screen.
• DO NOT LOGIN or select FORGOT PASSWORD.
• Since this will be your first time signing in, you’ll need to click this statement: “Set up your account”
• After you click on the “Set up your account” link, you should be taken to a screen that looks similar.
  
• You’ll know you’re on the right page if you see “Already have an account?” link on the bottom of your page. No need to click that link.
• Enter the email address associated with your ADS membership (most likely, it’s your company email address).
• Create a new password for your account and click “Continue”‎.
• You will be sent an email and asked to verify your email address by clicking the link within. This ensures you have provided a valid email address.‎
• Now, you can log in with your new password and click the registration link above to register for the meeting.

In accordance with Association policy, the participants underwrite the entire cost of the Annual Business Forum.  The registration fee covers group meal functions and receptions, speakers’ fees, audio/visual equipment, entertainment and decorations, stationery and printing costs, web-related expenses, programs, staff travel, office costs and all expenses incurred in planning and coordinating the Meeting.  (Please register by Thursday, August 18 to qualify for special advanced registration fees.)  

Registration Fees:

In the event you must cancel your registration, cancellation fees apply as outlined above.  After September 22, all fees are non-refundable. 

*Non-member companies may attend one Annual Business Forum or Technical Meeting to become familiar with the Association.  The difference between member and non-member registration fees for the Annual Business Forum or Technical Meeting is applicable to dues if received within sixty (60) days following the Meeting attended. This offer does not apply to former ADS members.

 **  Your spouse/companion must be registered for the Meeting to participate in any social event.  Included in the spouse/companion registration are all social functions (Welcome Reception and Awards Dinner, breakfasts, and Monday Networking Reception).  If your spouse/companion is employed by the member company, they must pay a full member registration fee.

Click HERE to access the attendee list.

Special Optional Events

During the registration process, please check the optional activity below if you would like to participate.  Payment must be included with your online registration.  Activity fees are fully refundable until September 10.  No refunds will be given after that date, and no substitutions are allowed.

Historical Charleston Dine-Around Tour

Join your fellow ADSers on a walking tour focusing on the culinary history of Charleston and the Lowcountry. There will be two culinary stops focusing on regional Southern food and a libation at each stop.

Cost per person: $170.00
Maximum number of participants: 20
Minimum number of participants: 15

If you want to explore the Charleston area on your own, here is a link to area activities and attractions.

For dining options on Monday evening, here is a link to local restaurants.

Hotel Information:  Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina

This year’s Annual Business Forum will be hosted at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, SC.  Named for Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion (the “Swamp Fox”), the Francis Marion Hotel became an instant Charleston landmark when it opened in 1924. Rising 12 stories above the Historic District, the hotel offers spectacular views of Charleston’s church steeples, historic mansions, and famous harbor, providing easy access to the wealth of Charleston’s attractions.

Charleston is a destination all its own so take advantage of the special group room rate three days pre-post to extend your stay and see all that Charleston has to offer.

 Francis Marion Hotel

387 King St., Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843)722-0600
Reservations: (843) 722-0600

Making Hotel Reservations at Francis Marion Hotel: https://reservations.travelclick.com/76320?groupID=3287769

Accommodations are available in the ADS room block at a special discounted group rate using Online Code: ADS22.

Single/Double Rooms, Run-of-House – $229 + tax & Destination Fee*
* State & local taxes are currently 14% plus $2.00 + tax Destination Fee

ADS Members are encouraged to make hotel reservations as soon as possible.  The above-discounted rates are not guaranteed and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Register early to ensure you have a room within the ADS block at the discounted rate.

Whether making reservations via phone or online, it is important to identify yourself as a member of The Association for Dressings & Sauces (or ADS) group.  A credit card name and number are needed to guarantee the reservation; however, your card will not be charged until checkout.  Cancellation of reservations shall be accepted by the Francis Marion Hotel, without penalty, up to 72 hours prior to date of arrival.  Please remember you are responsible for both reserving and canceling your own hotel reservations.

When making reservations, it is essential to identify yourself as part of the Association for Dressings & Sauces group so that you will be placed in the ADS room block. Booking your room in the ADS block is extremely important because the Association, on behalf of the members, has committed revenue to the hotel for a specified number of hotel rooms. We appreciate your willingness to assist us by booking in the meeting hotel and identifying yourself as part of the ADS group when making your reservation.

On-property, self- parking is $20++/day.  Valet parking is $25++/day with in/out privileges.

Hi-speed internet access in guest rooms is complimentary.  Accessibility to Fitness Center is complementary to in-house guests. Golf Bag storage is complementary to in-house guests as well.

Check-in is 4:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 p.m.

Travel Information

Charleston International Airport (CHS)  https://www.iflychs.com/ is approximately 11 miles (15 minutes) from the Francis Marion Hotel and is served by 12 domestic airlines including American, Delta, Southwest and United.

Delta Air Lines is offering special discounted* airfares for ADS Meeting attendees.  Discounts vary, depending on the class of ticket purchased, up to 10% off the fare for both domestic and international travel.

To take advantage of these Travel Discounts for both domestic and international travel:

• Visit the Delta Airlines website and click the Advanced Search link at the bottom of the “Book a Trip”
• Complete the required fields and enter meeting code “NMSE9“.
• You may also call Delta Meeting Network® Reservations at 1-800-328-1111, Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Central Time. (Please use the same phone number to make changes to an existing Delta Meetings Network reservation.)

*Please note the following:

• NOT ALL FARES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT.
• Fare rules will determine eligibility.
• Discounts vary, depending on the class of ticket purchased, and apply to round trip travel only.
• For domestic programs, the two lowest class tickets (X & V) are not eligible for a discount.
• Not valid with other discounts, certificates, coupons, or promotional offers.
• One free name change per passenger and additional name changes permitted at $200 USD / $200 CAD on select fares. (Domestic travel only)
• One free name change per passenger and additional name changes permitted at $175 USD / $175 CAD on select fares. (International travel only)
• If using a travel agent, please contact association staff for assistance.

Carey Ground Transportation Discount

• Go online here: carey.com and create an account with Carey.
• Make reservations for your ground transportation including your pickup location, time, flight information, etc.
• After entering your travel details, select continue. Select “Yes” for Promo Code, and enter code (KLATAS), select Apply & Continue to your vehicle selection, then “review and confirm” to enter payment information.

You can also download the app on an iPhone or Android device.

Driving Directions from Charleston International Airport:

Exit airport on International Drive and Follow signs for I-526 to Mt. Pleasant. From I-526 follow signs for I-26 East to Charleston. Travel on I-26 to the end (Meeting Street Exit). Turn right onto Meeting Street. Stay on Meeting Street in the right-hand lane for .6 miles. Pass the Charleston Visitor’s Center and turn right at the light, which is John Street. Take John Street one block to King Street and turn left on King Street. The Francis Marion Hotel is on the right.

Weather … and What to Wear

Average temperatures in the month of October are 77/57 °F. October is one of the best months of the year to visit Charleston. You can expect most days this month to bring warm, sunny weather.  Business casual is the attire for all ADS business functions.

Contact ADS

The Association for Dressings & Sauces
3200 Windy Hill Road, SE
Suite 600 West
Atlanta, GA  30339 

Phone:  (678) 298-1181
Fax:  (404) 591-6811
E-mail:  [email protected]

Consumer Website:  www.dressings-sauces.org
Members-Only Website :  www.adsmembers.org

Follow/Like ADS:
Facebook/dressingssauces
Twitter/dressingssauces
Pinterest/dressingssauces

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