NEWARK, DE - There ain’t no party like a produce party, and the industry has an invitation to respond to. Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit 2021 is in our sights, and in person at that! The event will take place October 28-30 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the show, PMA will set forth a variety of safety protocols and modifications developed with guidance from public health authorities.
“We all had that moment in the last year when we knew that things would never be the same,” said CEO Cathy Burns. “I shared my belief I have no interest in going back to normal. I am much more interested in using this opportunity to create our ‘new extraordinary.' I look forward to welcoming the industry back in person to grow a healthier world, which is especially powerful and essential in these times.”
Fresh Summit 2021 will be the 72nd year for the event, according to a press release. This year, while there will be new modifications to ensure safe and socially distanced interactions, the purpose and possibility of the show floor will be the same. PMA opened its booth application yesterday, March 1, for all companies interested in exhibiting at Fresh Summit.
PMA is consulting global and local public health authorities and will develop guidelines and protocols based on this guidance. Some of the modifications that have already been made include: strategies to control crowd density to enable safe, socially distanced interactions including expanded lounge sizes, adding and increasing the width of main aisles, and more.
“We are grateful to have such engaged and invested partners who believe in the power of produce and floral,” said Director of Events Jamie Romano Hillegas. “Bringing people together to do business and explore new items, innovations, and solutions is a highlight of the Fresh Summit experience. The industry has been resilient, and I know we’re all looking forward to coming together safely and feeling that buzz of the show floor.”
PMA has also shared that it is finalizing plans for the PMA Foodservice Conference that takes place at the end of July in Monterey, California.
As the association continues to release updates, be sure to keep reading AndNowUKnow.
