2024 Annual Meeting

General Session*
SUNDAY, MARCH 10 ‎

Health Benefits of Vinegar

Carol Johnston, Ph.D., R.D.‎
Arizona State University

Economic Update

Dr. Chris Kuehl
Armada Corporate Intelligence   ‎

 

GENERAL SESSION* ‎
TUESDAY, MARCH 12 ‎

Chair’s Address

Scott Singer
VI Chair of the Board
Reinhart Foods Ltd.‎

U.S. Elections: 2024

Chris Krueger
Kellen

Return to Office Post Pandemic

Jennifer Brock
Human Resources Dimensions

‎*Presentation titles and speakers are subject to change.‎

Hotel Information

Make a beautiful escape to Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa and ‎experience an oceanfront haven on Florida’s glittering coast. Stay within minutes of Deerfield ‎Beach and Fort Lauderdale, just steps from shops, restaurants, the beach and pier. Enjoy your ‎visit with two swimming pools and a wide range of water sports. ‎

For more information, Visit Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa.

Hotel Reservations

To make online reservations, click here.  You may also call 1-954-782-0100. Please identify yourself as a part of “VI”.  Accommodations are available to The Vinegar Institute at a special Group rate.  Reserve your room by Thursday, February 15, 2024. Rooms available on a first come, first served basis.  Once the block is full, rooms and room rates are based on availability.

It is essential to identify yourself as part of the “Vinegar Institute” group so that you will be placed in ‎the Vinegar Institute room block. Booking within the “Vinegar Institute” group room block is ‎extremely important because the Vinegar Institute, on behalf of the members, has committed ‎revenue to the hotel for a specified number of hotel rooms. We appreciate your willingness to assist ‎us in avoiding unnecessary penalties by booking at the meeting hotel and identifying yourself as part ‎of the “Vinegar Institute” group when making your reservation.‎

The room rate is $299 hotel fee per night, plus $15.00 resort fee, single or double occupancy. All rooms are subject to 13% state and local taxes. Room reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. The credit card will not be charged until the guest checks out of the hotel. Cancellations and changes must be made directly with the hotel up to 48 hours prior to arrival date to avoid penalties. Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. and check-out is 11:00 a.m.

Meeting Registration

The entire cost of the Annual Meeting is underwritten by the participants — no portion of Association dues is allocated for Annual Meeting expenses. The registration fee includes speakers’ expenses, audio/visual equipment, entertainment, decor, stationery and printing costs for programs, website development, staff travel, and all office costs incurred in planning and coordinating the Annual Meeting.

All registrations must be completed online and will not be processed without payment. Registration fees are refundable through January 23, 2024, less a $100 processing fee. After January 23, 2024, cancellation fees increase to $500 and become non-refundable after February 22^nd, 2024. For your convenience, VI accepts American Express, Visa and MasterCard. Checks are also accepted.

Please remember to register for the Meeting at the same time you make your hotel reservations.

To access online registration, register here.

(Please register by January 18, 2024, to qualify for advance registration fees.)

Advance Registration Fees before January 18, 2024:

• Member ‎$1,595‎
• Non-Member*
  • Manufacturer/Bottler ‎ ‎ $1,695‎
  • Supplier ‎ ‎ $1,895
• Spouse/Companion ‎ ‎$400‎
• Children (8 – 18 years) $100‎

After January 18, 2024:

• Member ‎$1,695‎
• Non-Member* ‎
  • Manufacturer/Bottler ‎ ‎$1,795‎
  • Supplier ‎$1,995‎
• Spouse/Companion $400‎
• Children (8 – 18 years) $100‎

‎*Non-member companies may attend one Meeting to become familiar with the Institute. The ‎difference between member and non-member registration fees is applicable to dues if ‎received within ninety (90) days from the date of the end of the Meeting.‎

Since The Vinegar Institute must make firm financial commitments based on indicated attendance well in advance of the Meeting, we ask that you complete the online registration form on the website at your earliest convenience.

Top Golf and Meeting Sponsorships

Top Golf Sponsorships

New this year, the Annual Meeting Planning Committee recommended Top Golf for attendees in lieu of a golf tournament.  For those unfamiliar with Top Golf, it’s a step above the traditional putt putt.  Top Golf is an inclusive, high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy, paired with an outstanding food and beverage menu, climate-controlled hitting bays and music.  Regardless of your skill level, it’s a fun networking event.

Promote your company at this event with partial level digital bay ads.  This is a fantastic way to give your company special recognition and to help create a memorable game at Top Golf!  The cost for sponsorship is $250 per member.  There is a maximum of 10 sponsorships allowed so first come, first served. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form if you’d like to take advantage of this great opportunity!  You will receive other special recognition as noted below.

Meeting Sponsorships

All members will have the opportunity to contribute any dollar amount toward the Meeting. Since the entire cost of the Annual Meeting is underwritten by the participants, your support will enable VI to continue to maintain registration fees at an affordable rate, obtain the best speakers possible and plan for a memorable Monday night event!  Remember, no amount is too small, and all contributions will be used to create the very best meeting possible!  Please check the appropriate box on the registration form if you would like to become a meeting sponsor.

Sponsorship Recognition

As a Top golf or Meeting sponsor, your company will receive special recognition prior to the Annual Meeting in the program, on posted signs throughout the Meeting and at the podium during the Meeting. You will receive a “Sponsor” ribbon at the Meeting and be recognized in the Annual Meeting wrap-up, which is sent to all members and housed on the VI website!

Transportation to Pompano Beach

The address of the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa:

1200 North Ocean Blvd
Pompano Beach, Florida 33062
The general phone number is (954) 782-0100

From Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): (21.4 miles/33 minutes)

• Start out going northwest and keep right to continue on Lower Terminal Dr/Terminal Dr
• Keep right to stay on Lower Terminal Dr/Terminal Dr
• Keep right at the fork, follow signs for US – 1 S/Dania Beach/Hollywood
• Keep left to continue towards I-595 W
• Keep right at the fork, follow signs for I-595 W/I-95 and merge onto I-595 W
• Merge onto I-595 W
• Take exit 10A towards I-95 N/W Palm Beach
• Keep right, follow signs for Route 842
• Keep left, follow signs for I-95 N/W Palm Beach and merge onto I-95 N
• Take exit 38 towards E Copans Rd
• Keep right at the fork and merge onto E Copans Rd
• Merge onto E Copans Rd (Pass by ABC Fine Wine & Spirits on the right)
• Turn right onto US-1 S
• Turn left onto NE 14^th St/NE 14^th Street Causeway
• Turn right onto N Ocean Blvd
• Turn left and you will arrive at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, 1200 N Ocean Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062

For FLL ground transportation information, click here.

While a little further away, you can also fly into Miami International Airport (40.4 miles) or Palm Beach International Airport (35.5 miles)

Valet parking at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa is $27 per car, per night. No self-parking is available.

WHAT TO PACK

The average high temperature in March in Pompano Beach is 80°F, and the average low is 62°F.

Casual dress is acceptable at the Meeting functions. The attire for the Saturday and Sunday receptions is resort casual or business dress, depending on your dinner plans for those evenings.

SATURDAY 

• Pick up your badge on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. during the one-hour Reception. Meet with friends, have a drink and make plans for dinner. There is no group dinner scheduled.

 

 SUNDAY

• Pick up your registration materials before the General Session.
• Associate members are invited to display tabletop exhibits in the meeting room during the General Session on Sunday. Contact Harrison Strickler ([email protected] ) by February 5^th if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity.
• The Associate Member Caucus will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. Matters of interest to Associate members will be reviewed, including nominations for one Supplier seat on the Board for fiscal year 2025.
• The General Session (open to all registered attendees, including spouses) begins at 9:00 a.m. Breakfast is not provided.

*    Join everyone at the one-hour reception at 6:30 p.m. There is no group dinner scheduled.

 

MONDAY

• The Scientific Committee will convene on Monday for a Continental Breakfast and meeting at 7:30 a.m. to review scientific issues of interest to the vinegar industry.
• The Board of Directors will meet after the Scientific Committee meeting at 9:30 a.m.
• Top Golf will be offered to attendees who wish to participate for an advance registration fee. Transportation will be provided. Please meet in the lobby at 12:00 noon.
• The perfect ending to a memorable meeting will be held Monday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. Wear your favorite beach attire! Don’t forget to check this activity when registering and be sure to join us for an evening of entertainment.

 

TUESDAY

• Tuesday’s activities begin with a Continental Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. The General Session runs from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The Meeting will conclude at 11:30 a.m.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to call Harrison Stricker at VI Headquarters 678-298-1179 and remember, it’s not too early to register!

The Pompano Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau has a listing of suggested tours, excursions, and shopping experiences that can be found HERE  or click HERE for a list of TripAdvisor attractions.

For dining options, click HERE for a variety of local eateries and fine dining restaurants.

The hotel also offers water sports Daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., weather permitting.  See below.  Pricing is subject to change.

Wave Runner…$90 for 30 mins or $160/hour

Paddleboard………………………………….$30/hour

Kayak ………………………………………………$40/hour

Boogie Board………………………………….$10/hour

For additional watersports information, please call the Oceanside Team at 786.236.8333. 

VI is also offering the following activity for an advance registration fee.  As VI must make firm commitments, please sign up for this activity by January 31, 2024. 

 TopGolf Outing (Monday, March 11)
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost Per Person: $165, includes transportation and lunch
Minimum number of participants needed: 15

VI has arranged a group outing to Top Golf for a fun afternoon of golf, drinks, food, and friendly competition! Pre-registration is required and includes transportation to and from TopGolf.  Meet in the lobby on March 11 at 12:00 p.m. for VI provided transportation.

Not familiar with Top Golf?  It’s a step above the traditional putt putt.  Top Golf is an inclusive, high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy, paired with an outstanding food and beverage menu, climate-controlled hitting bays and music.  Regardless of your skill level, it’s a fun networking event.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION IN MEETING THE DEADLINES GIVEN TO HELP US AVOID ADDITIONAL COSTS!

Attendees

Check HERE for an up-to-date attendee listing.