Kentucky voters have spoken and Kentucky has a new Republican Governor. As Governor of Kentucky, Fletcher has made the new appointments of the cabinet secretaries and promised “belt tightening” ass a way to address the revenue shortfall.
Grocers will be looking for changes during the first six months as the general assembly will address many issues such as the revenue shortfall. It will be a giant task to balance the budget without finding new sources of revenue.
Tennessee will roll out the start up of the Tennessee Lottery. It is estimated that Tennessee’s start up will impact Kentucky retailers and the state of Kentucky by a figure of $70 million in lost sales and $16 million in revenue to the state.
KGA/KACS is working with lawmakers friendly to the grocery industry to oppose or minimize any new taxes. KGA/KACS continues to oppose new taxes on meals and prepared food, tobacco and motor fuels.
It’s Scholarship Sign Up Time!!
KGA members should be receiving the scholarship poster and application cards the last week of December of first week of January 2004. Please post the posters in the break room or near the store time clock. Employees wishing to apply for a scholarship should mail a request card to KGA as soon as possible. Mary Brock, Scholarship Program Manager, will mail you an application. Please take the application to your counselor at your school for their assistance. Then attach all the documentation papers to the application and mail to the association office.
The sign up time is through January & February up until March 15, 2004. All applications are reviewed during April. The scholarship winners will be announced after May 1, 2004.
Convention 2004 – A New Format
The KGA/KACS Board of Directors voted recently to change the format of the 2004 annual convention. The change was brought about in response to the low attendance at the annual trade show by retailers.
In 2004, the convention will be held July 28, 29 & 30 at Caesars Resort Hotel in Indiana, just across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. The program will begin on Wednesday and end on Friday by noon. The program will be a streamline educational program, a golf tournament, silent auction for the scholarship program, trade talk time, annual banquet and honoring of the 2004 Kentucky Grocer of the year. Additional events will be added as the convention committee is still in the planning stage. Trade Talks is a program replacing the trade show. The program is designed to increase the amount of time and opportunities that convention sponsors and participating companies have to interchange with each other at the convention. “Trade Talks” are scheduled appointments between retailers, wholesalers, and supplier member companies. The new format should give the participating companies a better shot at gaining new business or building relationships with the decision makers of the industry.
The goal of the 2004 convention is to strengthen the relationships between KGA members – retailers, supplier/vendors, wholesaler and to promote better business between all parties.
Mark your calendar July 28 – 30, 2004 and make plans to attend the convention and trade talks.
No Increase in Dues!
The 2004 investment membership fee is now due. Please note that fees are the same as the last four years. That is correct! Dues are still the SAME! Operation expenses at the association increase annually – yet the membership investments are not increasing for 2004 – please remit promptly to save mailing costs. Thanks.