<p>This past weekend, Produce Marketing Association’s 2013 Fresh Summit Convention and Expo returned to New Orleans for the first time in 11 years. Highlights from this year’s convention included a White House-touted appearance, unveiling of PMA’s new strategic plan, and themes of innovation and a new direction of marketing that infused many new products throughout the exposition, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “Our industry clearly loved returning to New Orleans,” said Bryan Silbermann, PMA President and CEO. “This city has a different feel than most convention cities. It’s the flavor of the city – its food, its music, this is where old meets new.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> For those who missed it, the PMA Expo Contest winners were also announced. The winners included:<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. and Ready Pac Foods, Inc. – Ready Pac Peel and ReSeal Lettuce Trays<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Frieda’s Inc. – Frieda’s Meyer Lemon & Seedless Lemon Bags<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• NatureSweet – NatureSweet Cherriots™<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Sunkist Growers, Inc. – sk® Choice Lemonade Pouch<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• T. Marzetti Company – Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Pourables<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Over 18,000 members of the global fresh produce and floral industry’s supply chain attended the convention for innovation-focused general sessions, 14 educational workshops, and 2 days of expo. Visitors came from more than 60 countries and included more than 3,000 buyers.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The convention’s programming was focused on a consumer call-to-action. Silbermann’s popular annual State of the Industry address included special guests Bolthouse Farms CEO Jeff Dunn, First Lady Michelle Obama’s <I>Let’s Move!</i> initiative, Executive Director Sam Kass, and National Restaurant Association President Dawn Sweeney, all of which urged the industry to focus its marketing efforts on driving consumer demand. Elisa van Dam of Simmons College also joined Silbermann in an industry call-to-action to include more women in leadership roles.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Veteran attendees commented that the lineup of education was among the strongest they’ve ever seen. Attendees gave high marks to keynote speakers such as Peter Sheahan – whose message of change resonated with Fresh Summit’s global audience – and Mat Shore, who posed thought-provoking questions about innovation faux pas.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The new Innovations@Work area, which focused on packaging and digital innovations, included the 100+ item New Products Showcase with many new products designed just for kids. All Impact Award finalists’ were on display here, as well. “The buzz around the show floor was palpable,” said Tim Riley, PMA Chairman and President of The Giumarra Companies. “People are ready to capitalize on the connections they’re making at Fresh Summit to make smart business decisions throughout the year.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">It was an amazing Fresh Summit! Can’t wait to see what next year has in store!<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.freshsummit.com" target="_new"> PMA Fresh Summit </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
