PFMA members gathered October 7–8 in Hershey, PA for the 2025 Fall Legislative Conference—an event focused on the legislative and regulatory issues shaping the future of the food and beverage industry. With a strong mix of keynotes, panels, and networking sessions, the conference brought together elected officials, policy experts, and industry leaders to dig into some of the most pressing challenges facing Pennsylvania’s retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday delivered a powerful keynote during the Tuesday night dinner, sharing his personal background, his office’s priorities, and the progress of the Organized Retail Crime Task Force. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector, calling it essential to protect businesses, workers, and customers from escalating theft and fraud. His remarks received strong feedback from members and reinforced PFMA’s support of the task force’s mission.
The conference also featured a robust series of panel discussions, beginning with Wednesday morning’s State Policy Update, where PA House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris and House Republican Appropriations Chair Jim Struzzi offered a bipartisan look at the state budget, economic development, and legislation impacting grocers and manufacturers. From school meal programs to transportation infrastructure, the panel gave members direct insight into the priorities coming out of Harrisburg.
National leaders took the stage for the Federal Policy Update. The panel included Jennifer Hatcher of FMI, Stephanie Johnson of the National Grocers Association, and Sarah Gallo of the Consumer Brands Association. The discussion covered everything from tariffs and SNAP to federal regulatory shifts and supply chain dynamics. Members praised the session for its clarity and relevance, especially in light of recent developments in DC.
Other key sessions included the Alcohol Update, led by R.J. O’Hara of Flaherty & O’Hara, which broke down licensing updates and marketing compliance. A private Wholesalers Meeting also gave distributor members a forum to tackle shared challenges.
Members connected during receptions, breaks, and meals. From board members to new registrants, the consensus was clear: the event delivered valuable insights and time well spent. ■
A full gallery of event photos, videos, and speaker highlights is available at pfma.org/2025FLC