NEWARK, DE – With less than two months left until the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Connections: Retail event, PMA announces what’s in store for those planning to attend. This event will connect produce suppliers and business solution providers with U.S. retailers and wholesalers, like Affiliated Foods, Inc., Alpha 1 Marketing, AWG, C&S Wholesale, Fiesta Mart, HelloFresh, Meijer, Moms Organic Markets, and Wakefern, and will feature a keynote by PMA CEO Cathy Burns as well as a return of the popular UnConference format with a few new twists.
With more than 20 major produce buyers scheduled to attend, PMA’s limited registration–maxed at 180–is going fast and typically sells out in advance each year. And, with lots packed in to the two-day event, PMA is taking things up a notch this year with new activities and old favorites in the itinerary.
New to the Fresh Connections: Retail event this year is the opportunity to participate in a community service project through Philabundance and the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market. A limited number of conference participants will have the opportunity to form a shift of volunteers who will gather produce and redirect it to food-insecure neighbors in the Philadelphia area.
“Many PMA members throughout the fresh produce supply chain are adopting programs to reduce food waste in a variety of ways. In a similar manner, by participating in the Rescue Glean event you too can make a difference in the local community and bring to life PMA’s vision of bringing together the global produce and floral community to grow a healthier world,” said Joe Watson, PMA Vice President of Membership Eastern US & Canada, in a press release. “We are honored to have the opportunity to participate with our retail conference attendees.”
PMA’s participation in the Philabundance Produce Market Rescue service project is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11, at the wholesale market. Because of the nature of the work, participation is limited to 20 conference attendees. Those interested should register early for Fresh Connections: Retail and select the Rescue Glean with Philabundance event on the registration form to maximize chances of participation.
PMA will also host a retail tour of the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market from 6:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m, with limited participation. Those interested should select the check box for the tour option online or on the registration from to register to visit the world’s largest fully enclosed, fully refrigerated wholesale produce terminal.
Also planned this year is a better than ever UnConference program that builds on last year’s success with some slight tweaks to add more value. The event will provide a forum for attendees to openly discuss challenges and opportunities in the industry, and leave attendees with actionable ideas.
“This is a great way to learn alongside other smart industry leaders, and to network with them as we embrace the challenges of the future together,” said Joe Don Zetzsche, Director of Floral and Blooms Floral Shops at H-E-B, and member of both PMA’s Board of Directors and Floral Council.
Facilitator Bill Aal, Managing Partner of UnConference.net, will be back to guide participants through interactive sessions on crowdsourced discussion topics–the second time this format will be used at Fresh Connections: Retail.
Participants in the 2017 PMA Fresh Connections: Retail event said the UnConference format allowed for interactive and thought-provoking conversations about key topics in the industry, with one Todd Bragg of Four Seasons Produce stating he “learned a lot and everyone added value to the experience.”
Attendees at the 2018 event will have the opportunity to discuss both retail and consumer trends. Discussion groups will form on-site; however, registrants will be given instructions in advance to inspire topic ideas and guide conversations. Interactive discussion groups will take place in three 50-minute blocks, with 15-minute networking breaks in between. The event will close with a culminating activity designed to help participants digest, reflect, and plan possible next steps.
In addition to growers, processors, retailers, wholesalers, and distributors, Fresh Connections: Retail participants typically include business solution providers offering services such as packaging, labeling, transportation, machinery, financing, accounting, and more.
With the Fresh Connections: Retail event set for April 11-12 at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PMA is encouraging all PMA members and prospective members to register before April 2 for the best price. For more information, visit pma.com and click events, FC: Retail.
For more on what’s up-and-coming in the produce industry, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
