FMI Midwinter 2026 brought together senior leaders from across grocery, CPG, and the broader food ecosystem for several days of high-value conversations focused on the future of retail. Held January 21–24 in Chula Vista, California, the attendee-only event once again lived up to its reputation as one of the industry’s most relationship-driven conferences.

For Spoiler Alert, Midwinter was less about scale and more about substance. With a format designed to encourage meaningful dialogue rather than booth traffic, the conference created space for thoughtful, executive-level discussions between long-standing partners and new industry connections.

Why FMI Midwinter Stands Out

Unlike traditional trade shows, FMI Midwinter prioritizes curated meetings, shared social experiences, and peer-to-peer engagement – this environment enables attendees to engage in deep conversations, beyond product demos. This year’s event continued that tradition, offering an environment where strategic challenges, emerging priorities, and long-term opportunities could be discussed openly.

The mix of structured meetings and informal moments — from coffee chats to evening events — made it easy to connect with leaders who are actively shaping how food moves through the supply chain.

Themes We Heard Across Conversations

Several clear themes emerged throughout the week:

  • Brand protection in secondary markets remains top of mind. As more organizations explore alternative channels, there is growing concern around control, transparency, and reputation.

  • Data is only valuable if it’s actionable. Many leaders are looking for clearer guidance on how to turn insights into decisions, signaling increased demand for consultative partnerships.

  • Strategic insight is increasingly valued over point solutions. Executives are seeking thought leadership and long-term perspectives, not just tools.

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These conversations reinforced the importance of aligning technology, strategy, and execution — especially as the industry continues to navigate cost pressures, operational complexity, and evolving consumer expectations.

The Power of Being Present

One of the biggest advantages of FMI Midwinter is simply being in the room. Staying onsite and fully engaged throughout the event enabled organic conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Some of the most valuable discussions came from unscheduled moments — a reminder that relationship-first events still play a critical role in enterprise growth.

Looking Ahead

FMI Midwinter continues to be a standout forum of engagement and strategic dialogue for all who attend – and the 2026 conference reaffirmed that truth. The Spoiler Alert Team showed up curious and ready to listen to the latest CPG trends and did not leave disappointed. 

As the industry looks ahead to another year of change, the conversations that started in Chula Vista will continue — shaping partnerships, strategies, and the role that data-driven liquidation plays in the future of food retail. 

The Spoiler Alert team is eager to continue these meaningful conversations across multiple events in the coming weeks and months. Don’t miss us at Manifest, Annual Meat Conference, Expo West, and more!