Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference on May 12–13, 2026, at Omni Bedford Springs Resort, bringing together leaders from across the food and beverage industry for two days of education, networking, and industry discussion.
The conference will convene PFMA members, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers, convenience store operators, and solution providers to engage on key issues impacting the food and beverage industry.
This year’s program will feature two timely educational sessions. The first, “Prevention and Intervention: How Businesses in the Food Supply Chain Can Drive Change in the Fight Against Human Trafficking,” will be presented by Heather Fry, Director of Industry Training at Truckers Against Trafficking. The second session, “The Modern Cooler: Why Hemp-Infused Drinks Can Be the Next Retail Essential,” will feature Christopher Lackner, Founder and President of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, Diana Eberlein, Chair of the Coalition of Adult Beverage Alternatives, and Pennsylvania State Representative Steve Malagari.
In addition to educational programming, the conference will include the PFMA Wholesaler Meeting, a Mini Trade Show connecting attendees with vendors and service providers, and networking opportunities throughout the event.
“PFMA’s Annual Conference is an opportunity for the industry to come together, share insights, and focus on the challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Alex Baloga, President and CEO of PFMA. “We look forward to welcoming our members and partners to Bedford this May.”
Registration is now open. The registration deadline is May 5, 2026. Hotel accommodations at Omni Bedford Springs Resort are available through a PFMA room block, with a reservation cutoff of April 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
For more information and to register, visit pfma.org/2026AC
Engaging discussions with industry leaders on timely issues shaping the Food and Beverage Industry.
🔎 Prevention and Intervention: How Businesses in the Food Supply Chain Can Drive Change in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Presented by Heather Fry, Director of Industry Training at Truckers Against Trafficking, this session focuses on how businesses can recognize risks and take meaningful action.
🥤 The Modern Cooler: Why Hemp-Infused Drinks Can Be the Next Retail Essential
Featuring Christopher Lackner, Founder and President of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, Diana Eberlein, Chair of the Coalition of Adult Beverage Alternatives, and Representative Steve Malagari, this panel breaks down one of the fastest-growing categories in retail and what it means for your shelves.
📦 PFMA Wholesaler Meeting
A dedicated space for PFMA wholesalers to connect, share insights, and discuss the issues shaping distribution across the food and beverage industry.
🤝 Mini Trade Show
Meet directly with vendors and solution providers, explore new products and services, and build the relationships that keep your business moving forward.
About PFMA
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, a statewide trade association, advocates the views of more than 600 convenience stores, supermarkets, independent grocers, wholesalers and consumer product vendors. PFMA members operate more than 3,000 stores and employ more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians. For more information on PFMA, visit pfma.org.
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