Welcome to CAGNY!
 
On behalf of the Board of the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY), we are pleased to kick off our 41st year. While much has changed over four decades, the unique collegial spirit of CAGNY has not, and we look forward to delivering another full slate of informative events, presented by top-tier global Food, Beverage, Tobacco and Household/Personal Products companies.
 
Membership and Conference registration is now open for the 2012 CAGNY year, which runs from September 1, 2011 to September 1, 2012. Our annual conference will be held February 20-24, 2012 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida. Please find the preliminary conference agenda posted on the website now at www.consumeranalystgroupny.com. To join CAGNY, go to the appropriate link on the left side of our home page. Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.

We are pleased to report that we will be holding membership dues flat at $400, even while enjoying a strong attendance rates at a greater number of NYC monthly lunches. Also, there are the same number of reduced rate hotel rooms as last year (please see room rate details below) – on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To that end, we strongly encourage you to register on-line; it’s fast, simple and a good opportunity to verify your contact information. We also encourage early member registration and dues payment for those that wish to receive updates on the Annual Conference and the Monthly Meeting programs. Please remember that you need to be a registered 2011/12 CAGNY Member to attend the Annual Conference in February and/or the Monthly Meetings.

Room rates: We have maintained last year’s lower room rates as well as the greater number of lower-priced rooms for the 2012 conference. As always, rooms are available on a first come, first serve basis, so please register on-line to guarantee the room and rate most attractive to you. Details of room rates are as follows:

• Cloister Traditional: $299/night
  
• Cloister Deluxe: $350/night
  
• Tower Suite: $395/night
  
• Beach with Ocean View: $425/night
  
• Yacht with Commodore Club access: $570/night
  

Guest meal policy: Also, please be mindful of the guest meal policy: in order to facilitate interaction between CAGNY members and presenting company management teams, the meal policy remains as follows:

• Breakfast will continue to be open to members and all registered guests;
  
• Lunch will be open to members only;
  
• Dinner will be for members plus one guest.
  

CAGNY Board changes: After serving as President last year, Jonathan Feeney is serving as immediate past President. Bryan Spillane serves as Co-Chair alongside our esteemed Conference Chair, Andrew Lazar, who’s relentless in organizing the Big Show for all of us each February. Sally Dessloch moves to the Treasurer position from Monthly Program Chair.

Finally, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the event-sponsoring companies of CAGNY 2012. It is your hospitality & generosity this year and over the past 41 years that have allowed CAGNY to be such a unique event and special tradition. On behalf of the CAGNY Board and our members -- Thank You!

I look forward to seeing everyone in February.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ginger Chambless

President