Where Big Challenges Meet Bold Solutions
At FMI, we represent the entire food industry, from the largest national chains to innovative startups, working together to feed families and enrich lives. For more than a century, our association has been where industry challenges meet innovation. From the first bar codes to today’s omnichannel strategies, smart shelf tags, retail media networks, and supply chain breakthroughs, FMI has been at the center of change—turning “what if” into “what’s next.”
The People Who Power the Lab
Our members are the visionaries, problem-solvers, and doers who make progress possible. They’re the professionals who dream big and act fast, shaping the future of grocery every day. GroceryLab exists to give these leaders a space to push boundaries, test ideas, and ignite innovations that define the next era of food retail.
Blueprint Builders: The Founding Committee
Before GroceryLab took shape, a starting committee of retail, supplier, and solution-provider leaders worked alongside FMI to envision what this gathering could become. Their early insights shaped the design phase, defining the conversations, experiences, and themes that would make GroceryLab a catalyst for meaningful industry change.
David Blumenfeld: NextRivet
Jonathan Brown: TrendHunter
Gary Hawkins: CART
Tom Henry: Schnucks
Trey Holder: Brand Innovators
Nikki Laughlin: Thumzump Media Corp
Suzy Monford: Food Sport International
Tom Furphy: Consumer Equity Partners
Jeff Williams: Fair Warning Consulting
Innovation, Supercharged by Partnership
This vision is amplified through our collaboration with Think Blue, whose expertise in creative ideation and design thinking turns bold ideas into actionable strategies. Together, we’ve created an environment where the brightest minds in grocery can gather, share, and accelerate concepts that will shape tomorrow’s marketplace.
Mark Baum
A recognized expert in sales, marketing, merchandising, and strategic collaboration across the food, beverage, CPG, and retail industries, who engages C-Suite leaders to unlock operational improvements and growth opportunities across the supply chain.
Your FMI Collaborators
Mark Baum, FMI’s senior vice president & chief collaboration officer, and Doug Baker, FMI’s vice president of industry relations, bring a combined six decades of food retail leadership and innovation to the stage. Together, their experience spans retail operations, category strategy, private brand development, and technology transformation—empowering the industry to meet shopper expectations in real time and build loyalty through relevant, data-driven relationships.
Doug Baker
Leads FMI’s private brands, technology, supply chain, and asset protection initiatives, drives industry collaboration to ensure resilience, adaptability, and efficiency in an era of rapid change.
