Get ready for a fantastic time at the Fall Legislative Conference at the beautiful Hershey Country Club!
Kick off the first day with an exciting round of golf on the East Course, followed by a cocktail reception and delicious dinner.
Our second day is all about staying in the know with the latest federal and state updates, topped off with a fun off-site lunch and learn focused on election updates.
Join us for two days of networking, learning, and enjoying the stunning surroundings!
Agenda
DAY ONE | Tuesday, October 29, 2024
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Picard Grand Pavilion
Fall Board Meeting
(PFMA board members only)
12:00 – 6:00 p.m. | East Golf Course
Golf Outing
(Optional. Must register in advance.)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Picard Grand Pavilion
Cocktail Reception
7:30 p.m. | Picard Grand Pavilion
Trailblazer Award Presentation
PFMA will present the 2024 Food Industry Trailblazer Award, recognizing a pioneer in food and beverage retail who is willing to take risks and innovate to stay ahead in the industry.
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. | Picard Grand Pavilion
Dinner with Keynote Speaker
Enjoy a buffet dinner while hearing about “Driving food industry success through DCED partnerships and grant/funding opportunities.”
Rick Siger | Pa. Department of Community and Economic Development
DAY TWO | Wednesday, October 30, 2024
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Traditions
Buffet Breakfast
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | Keystone Ballroom
Federal Issues Update
Leaders from FMI, NACS and the Consumer Brands Association will povide an update on issues affecting food and beveraged retailers nationally.
- Andy Harig | FMI- The Food Industry Association
- Jon Taets | NACS
- Sarah Gallo | Consumer Brands Association
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Keystone Ballroom (A) or Jay Weitzel Room (B)
Option A: State Issues Update
Representatives from both parties of the state House and Senate will discuss upcoming legislative priorities.
- Colleen DeFrank | Senate Democratic Caucus
- Mike Schwoyer | House Democratic Caucus
- Jake Smeltz | House Republican Caucus
- Scott Sikorski | Senate Republican Caucus
Option B: Wholesalers Meeting
Open only to members who are wholesalers
12:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Tröegs Independent Brewing
Lunch & Learn: Election Update
Political analysts and experts will offer their thoughts on the upcoming elections while attendees enjoy lunch.
- T. J. Rooney | Rooney Novak Isenhour Group
- Chris Nicholas | Eagle Consulting
Speakers
Jake Smeltz
House Republican Caucus
Scott Sikorski
Senate Republican Caucus
Lodging Information
Accommodations are available at The Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA 17033.
The deadline to reserve through PFMA’s room block has passed. However, rooms may still be available at the hotel’s best available rate. You may contact Hotel Hershey at 855-729-3108.
Guests who prefer to make reservations by phone may call 855-729-3108 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Ask for the room block for the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association at The Hotel Hershey, October 28-30, 2024.
Credit cards are charged a one-night advance deposit, including tax, at the time of book a room reservation. Cancellations must be made 14 days prior to the day of arrival. No changes or cancellations are permitted within 14 days of arrival.
*Important notes about reservation link: If you click on the link and copy the URL from the browser, the link will not work for group attendees. If you need to share, please share this page (www.pfma.org/2024FLC) and ask them to click the “Reserve a Room” button. Also, Internet Explorer is not supported for the reservation link.
For government employees, you must use a personal device to book with the link. The firewall on government-issued devices will restrict access to the reservation link.
Colleen DeFrank serves as Chief of Staff for Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. 
Sarah Gallo is senior vice president, product policy and federal affairs, at the Consumer Brands Association. In her role, Gallo holistically oversees Consumer Brands’ policy leadership on smart regulation issues from advocacy through education to marketplace solutions.
Andy Harig is vice president, tax, trade, sustainability and policy development, at FMI. He is responsible for lobbying Congress and the Administration on behalf of FMI’s members, with a focus on sustainability, agriculture, taxes, trade and pensions.
T.J. Rooney is the founder and president of Tri-State Strategies PA and co-founder and a senior partner of the Rooney Novak Isenhour Group. Rooney works with clients in a broad range of industries including, energy, healthcare, mental health, gaming and government outsourcing. Prior to his service in public office, T.J. held licenses in insurance and real estate.
Mike Schwoyer is deputy chief of staff and special counsel for legislation and policy to the House Democratic Leader. He drafts legislation for, and provides advice and counsel to, the leader, members and staff of the House Democratic Caucus.
On May 3, 2023, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously confirmed Governor Josh Shapiro’s nomination of Rick Siger as the Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Jake Smeltz is a public service professional currently serving as chief of staff to the Republican leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Jon Taets joined NACS as its director of government relations in 2014. Previously, he spent several years as legislative director in the office of Congressman Leonard Lance from New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, where he managed the congressman’s Energy and Commerce Committee portfolio.