New Fresh Summit experience to feature big voices, big topics

July 18, 2018

Produce Report

When Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit Convention & Expo gets underway in Orlando, FL, USA on Oct. 18-20, attendees will enjoy a new experience at the global produce and floral industry’s largest gathering in the Americas – including “Forums for the Future” with big voices speaking on big topics that will bring attendees together for engaging, inspiring collective experiences.

Fresh Summit’s “Forums for the Future” will present four big voices from inside and outside our industry, talking about four big topics that are important to our industry. These high-profile professionals have proven track records inspiring others, making good decisions under pressure, being pioneers and entrepreneurs. These large sessions will bring together the fresh produce and floral community from across the supply chain to engage, be inspired and return to your businesses motivated.

Peyton Manning, two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and five-time Most Valuable Player of the National Football League, is the first “Forum for the Future” speaker to be revealed. Manning will share his experience inspiring and leading through adversity. A moderator will help attendees make the connection to challenges in our industry. Who better to share the keys to achieving greatness than a quarterback who has lived it?

“From the moment you walk in, Fresh Summit will feel different, from the convention format to the expo show floor,” Charles Olins, Concord Food’s vice president of sales and marketing, and co-chair of PMA’s Fresh Summit Committee. “Our committee knows that Fresh Summit can’t rest on its laurels. So much in our business and the cultural marketplace in which we operate is changing, we want to ensure that Fresh Summit is in the best position to help our industry to be ready for those changes.”

The Forums for the Future will be grouped at the beginning of the convention, with three planned throughout the day on Thursday, Oct. 18 and the final session on Friday morning, Oct 19.

A refresh of Fresh Summit’s networking functions will make it easier for attendees to connect with each other outside of official Fresh Summit events. Most of PMA’s community-based networking functions are being concentrated into one exciting Welcome Reception on Thursday, Oct. 18. The perennial Floral Networking Reception will be held Friday, Oct. 19.

“We know you come to Fresh Summit for the business connections, and these changes will help you do more of just that,” said Leah Halverson, Black Gold Farms director of business development and co-chair with Olins of the Fresh Summit Committee. “This year, it will be easier for the people you want to see to reach you, and for you to reach the people you want to see.”

Fresh Summit expo is a record breaker

What’s not changing is Fresh Summit’s renowned expo on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20. This year is expected to be the largest Fresh Summit expo on record, with 1,200+ exhibiting companies over 330,000+ net square feet. Floral buyers and sellers will come together in an expanded show-within-a-show Floral Marketplace that is designed to meet the growing needs of mass-market floral buyers and sellers.

Attendees can tap into PMA’s staff subject matter experts on extensive topics ranging from food safety to technology to supply chain management and traceability, through the PMA Center conveniently located on the show floor.

“Fresh Summit has always been and now will continue to be the epitome of where you come to get the best ideas, the most innovative products and the widest selection of products available,” summarized Debora Coleman, vice president of floral for Albertsons Companies and chair of PMA’s Floral Council.

For more information and to register, visit www.FreshSummit.com. The All Access Pass is the best value, and includes all Forums for the Future, the Welcoming Reception and the expo. Retailers receive significant registration discounts. Register by Sept. 14 and save; on-site registration will also be available in Orlando.