SWIPE First-Ever January Show Nearly Sold Out; Lance Jungmeyer, Mary Paz, Craig Slate, and Kyle McGrath Discuss New Additions

TUCSON, AZ - I’m starting off my produce trade show calendar a little early this year with SWIPE’s (Southwest International Produce Expo) first-ever January dates. It's a mile-marker shift in the produce travel schedule as attendees prepare to connect at the luxurious JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

Previously held in November, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas President Lance Jungmeyer summed up the event perfectly.

"The SWIPE event is a great way to showcase our members and to bring together buyers, sellers, and growers in a beautiful location,” Lance said. “Much like our members and their grower partners maximize the ideal climate and natural diversity of growing regions across Mexico, having our event in Southern Arizona allows us to maximize the richness and diversity of our industry and our ability to enjoy the ideal climate and amazing scenery in Tucson.”

Lance shared that the trade show is nearly sold out, with new features including Speaker’s Corner Panels and a new Pickleball Paddle Battle Saturday event adding both higher educated access and healthy, fun competition to the Arizona event.

The Speaker’s Corner Panels will be directly on the Expo Floor, offering abbreviated education sessions amid exploring exhibitors.

“Our retail attendees bring a wealth of insight to our education sessions," shared Mary Paz, Sourcing Manager, Robinson Fresh and SWIPE Retail Committee Co-Chair. “This year’s sessions are timely and will prepare attendees and buyers alike to address critical issues facing the industry today, allowing them to face these challenges head-on."

This complements three education sessions featuring retail buyer panelists in the lead-up to the show floor:

• Black Swan Event: Preparing for the Unpredictable
• AI in Grocery: Easing Shrink and Other Common Challenges
• Duties & Tariffs: How Retail is Navigating the Impact of an Unstable Supply Chain

The new pickleball tournament adds to Saturday’s post-show activities, along with the Border Tour to Nogales and a Trap & Skeet Shooting opportunity.

“This year’s SWIPE event has even more activities for networking, allowing buyers, attendees, and exhibitors to make the most of their time in Tucson,” added Craig Slate of SunFed and SWIPE Golf Tournament Co-Chair. “From the popular Desert Classic Golf Tournament to the new Pickleball Paddle Battle, there is a networking event to meet everyone's interest and activity level."

The SWIPE Desert Classic Golf Tournament—co-hosted by FPAA and the Fresh Produce and Floral Council (FPFC)—is returning by popular demand, with a special twist as well. While the classic is separate from the show in terms of tickets, a new Produce Par-TEE also takes place at the golf course and is open to ALL attendees.

“The Desert Classic Golf Tournament is our annual event that attracts nearly 200 golfers to SWIPE, but we know that not all buyers and attendees like to golf,” stated Kyle McGrath, Director of Sales & Marketing at Tricar Sales, Inc. and Golf Committee Co-Chair. “This year we’ve added the Produce Par-TEE, a networking event taking place at the golf course that is open to all SWIPE attendees—no handicap required!”

This opens up the networking and connection taking place on the course to those who aren’t golfers but want to partake in the excitement that the tournament delivers, including a live band, signature cocktails, a Putt-a-Palooza for prizes, and, of course, food and drink for our wonderful industry!

As I pack my bags for my first January in Tucson, I look forward to meeting you all there 1/22–1/24. Let's start 2026 off right!