Fresh Summit delivers ROI through business marketing, professional development

August 05, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Julia Stewart , +1 (302) 738-7100 x3008

Newark. Del. – Companies and individuals interested in marketing their businesses and enhancing their skills and knowledge can get both – and all under one roof – when Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) 2009 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition convenes Oct. 2-5 in Anaheim, Calif., USA.  

“In today's economic environment there's no better value than Fresh Summit – you can learn, think, do business and enjoy, all in one location,” said Wal-Mart Stores’ Produce/Floral Senior Director  Mike Agostini. “I'm planning on being in Anaheim for the full term of Fresh Summit, there will be no better return on my travel dollar this year.”  

Receptions, show floor offer the industry’s best networking

The 2009 Fresh Summit agenda offers a broad range of networking opportunities, including the Welcoming Reception at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel on Friday evening, Oct. 2, 6-8 p.m.; this event is sponsored by Chilean Fresh Fruit Association. Floral industry members will want to attend the Floral Networking Reception on Saturday evening, Oct. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m.at the Anaheim Convention Center; that event is co-sponsored by C. H. Robinson Co. Worldwide, Fresh Blooms and Keepsake Plants Ltd. International conference attendees won’t want to miss the International Partners Reception on Sunday, Oct. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m, at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel; KPG Solutions Inc., Maersk Line and Tom Lange Co. International Inc., are co-sponsors.  

“Conferences and expositions become even more important business marketing tools when market cycles turn down, and Fresh Summit delivers the largest, most influential audience of any U.S. event reaching the global produce industry,” said PMA Vice President of Global Business Development Tony Parassio. “Fresh Summit offers it all, from exhibiting and sponsorships, to the all-important face-to-face networking and relationship building. For those companies and individuals needing to improve the market reach of their businesses, Fresh Summit is second to none.”  

This year’s Fresh Summit exposition will feature more than 2,450 booths, 800 exhibiting companies and 642,600 square feet of exhibit space for the more than 17,000 industry members expected to attend. This year’s expo will highlight the newest, most innovative ideas and products in packaging, ripening, handling, merchandising and delivery techniques. Technology will also come to life with the latest software, hardware, services and equipment available to the produce and floral industries.  

The expo will be open the following days and hours: Saturday, Oct. 3, 11a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4, 11a.m.-5 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  

General sessions, workshops to highlight industry hot topics

This year’s Fresh Summit general sessions will feature innovative leaders from several industries. Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will offer advice on leading during tumultuous times, while Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign manager David Plouffe will bring insight to that management team’s standards-changing strategy setting and use of online outreach. Consultant Kevin Carroll will talk about the importance of workplace creativity to business growth and success. And PMA President & CEO Bryan Silbermann will deliver his popular annual State of the Industry address, looking forward at emerging industry trends.  

The 2009 conference will also feature 18 workshops on topics including food safety, economic impact, business tools, consumer insights, leadership, sustainability and floral, as well as other hot topics. Speakers for these sessions will hail from across the supply chain, including buyers, sellers and suppliers – from the public and private sectors – and from PMA’s own staff of subject matter experts. Sample workshop topics include:

• Produce Traceability Initiative: Implementation of Best Practices
• Food Safety Innovations: What’s New and What Does It Really Mean?
• Produce Marketing, Part 1: Marketing to the New Consumer, and Part 2: New Strategies for the New Economy
• Global Economy, Part 1: What in the World Is Going On Out There?, and Part 2: How the World’s Economy Affects the Produce Industry and Your Business
• Harness the Power of Social Media 
• Increasing Floral Profits in the New Economy: How to Do More With Less
• The Global Politics of Water Availability
• Finding the ROI of Sustainability
• Be the Leader Others Follow  

Food safety programming will include a senior executive round table as well as educational workshops. The workshops will address “Food Safety Innovations: What’s New and What Does It Really Mean?”, and “Food Safety & the Environment: A Delicate Balancing Act.” Speakers include PMA Chief Science Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker, and Center for Produce Safety Executive Director Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli.  

“At a time when your professional development budget may be limited, Fresh Summit general sessions and workshops help you stay on the cutting edge of key industry issues and business strategies,” noted PMA Director of Education and Training Lisl Wilkinson. “Come to the show for the marketing and networking, and get the additional value of sessions where you interact and learn from world-recognized experts.”  

Register early and save; buyers, members receive discounts

PMA offers a range of registration options to meet attendees’ varied needs. Value Package registration offers the best economic value, providing full conference access: all educational general sessions and workshops; the three-day expo; and the Welcoming Reception and International Partners Reception. A Floral Value Package is offered to floral industry members that also includes the Floral Networking Reception. PMA members also receive registration discounts – and enjoy a myriad of PMA benefits all year long.  

Retailers and foodservice operators get generous discounts on registration; additional savings are available when registering two or more persons.   

Day passes are also available, which include access to the show floor as well as the day’s educational general session and workshops.  

Spouses or other companions can also register, and gain access to all general sessions, the expo, the Welcoming Reception and the International Partners Reception.  

Attendees can register and save by facsimile or mail by Aug. 21, or online by Sept. 4; advance registration closes Sept. 18. Buyers and PMA members receive valuable discounts; Reception tickets can be purchased in advance, at the on-site Registration Desk, or at the door of each event. For more information and to register online, visit www.pma.com/freshsummit.  

Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are still available; for more information, visit the Fresh Summit Web site contact PMA’s Business Development Team by email at businessdevelopment@pma.com or via telephone at +1 (302) 738-7100.  

Fresh Summit is the most widely-attended U.S. gathering of the global produce industry. The 2008 convention in Orlando, Fla., drew 17,502 participants – including 3,842 identified buyers – from 61 countries. Attendees hail from across the global supply chain, farm to fork. Fresh Summit usually draws the largest crowds when held in California; the all-time record Fresh Summit attendance was set in San Diego in 2006.