Camp HIll, PA (September 2026) — With the 2026 PFMA Fall Legislative Conference approaching, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has announced the final lineup of speakers and sessions for the Oct. 13-14 event at Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Pa. The annual conference brings Pennsylvania’s Food and Beverage Industry together for two days focused on government relations, advocacy, industry issues and member connections.
“PFMA’s Fall Legislative Conference gives our members direct access to the policy conversations affecting their businesses, employees and customers,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “This year’s agenda brings together experts from across the industry to discuss elections, federal policy, pricing and other issues that will shape the year ahead.”
This year’s program reflects the issues currently facing Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry, from the 2026 election cycle and federal policy developments to pricing, distribution and supply chain challenges. Attendees will hear from policy experts, national trade associations and industry leaders while also having opportunities to connect with peers and discuss the issues affecting their businesses.
State Election Update
Christopher Nicholas of Eagle Consulting Group and Brit Crampsie, Principal at Brit Crampsie Communications, will discuss Pennsylvania’s 2026 election cycle and what it means for the Food and Beverage Industry.
Federal Update
Andy Harig of FMI, Nick Johns of CBA and Stephanie Johnson of the National Grocers Association will share updates on federal issues affecting food retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.
The Facts About Pricing
Kathy Hayden and Ellen Smith of Inmar Intelligence, Andy Harig of FMI and Jessica Jacoby Lemos of UNFI will unpack modern pricing strategies and separate fact from myth surrounding pricing in the Food and Beverage Industry.
Wholesalers Meeting
PFMA also will host a dedicated Wholesalers Meeting, bringing together wholesalers from across the Commonwealth to discuss key issues affecting distribution, supply chain operations and regulatory challenges.
PFMA will honor Michael Gould, President of Core-Mark Scranton OpCo, with the Lisa Dell’Alba Food Industry Trailblazer Award during the dinner reception. The award recognizes Gould’s leadership, industry contributions and longstanding commitment to Pennsylvania’s Food and Beverage Industry.
The conference will begin Tuesday, Oct. 13, with a PFMA board meeting, Wholesalers Meeting, The Facts About Pricing session, cocktail reception and the Trailblazer Award Presentation and Dinner Reception. Programming continues Wednesday, Oct. 14, with breakfast, the State Election Update and Federal Update panel.
Registration closes at 5 pm Tuesday, Oct. 6.
To register, visit https://www.pfma.org/event/2026-fall-legislative-conference.
