Acuity Went There: Wisconsin Grocers Association Innovation Expo

Acuity recently sponsored the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) Innovation Expo, which was held at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 13 and 14. The Expo was attended by Acuity employees Randy N., Commercial Underwriter, and Scott D., Territory Director, along with six of our independent insurance agents. The group attended many seminars and walked away with key learnings on how technology is being utilized by many grocery stores today.

As part of Acuity’s sponsorship of the event, we gave away an iPad to one lucky grocer. The drawing was won by Tim Plevak, the manager of Trig’s grocery store in Wausau, Wisconsin. After the drawing, Randy had a chance to talk to Tim and learn more about Trig’s operations.

Tim is fortunate to have no staffing issues and is grateful for his team of employees. It is apparent that Trig’s differentiates its company as an independent grocer with great employees and through their community involvement efforts. Every year on the first Saturday of October, each of their locations has a Fall Festival that rings in the start of the season with plenty of fall activities, including pumpkin carving, games, samples, and a Watch Me Grow Scarecrow for pictures with the kids. Trig’s also has an amazing Hanging Basket and Bedding Plant Sale the Saturday after Mothers’ Day, which attracts lines of more than 100 customers. Trig’s has made itself a wonderful family destination in the community. Events like the Fall Festival and Spring Plant Sale are a great way to create relationships with customers and get them in the store to see the array of products and services they offer. With all the options customers have these days, and with the online retail trend, Trig’s goes above and beyond to make its stores the best option.

The first Trig’s grocery store was opened in 1971 by Trig and Tula. Trig’s is an independent grocer with locations in Wausau, Minocqua, Rhinelander, Eagle River, Stevens Point, and Weston, Wisconsin. Trig’s also operates Tula’s Café, Trig’s Shell Gas, Trig’s Central Bakery and Trucking Facility, Trig’s Smokehouse, and Trig’s Recycling Center.     

If not for WGA’s efforts in organizing and executing the 2015 Innovation Expo, Randy wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet Tim and learn about the great things Trig’s is doing in the industry. Acuity is grateful for the opportunity to continue to support independent grocers and the Wisconsin Grocers Association.