NEWARK, DE - South by Southwest (SXSW) is valued as the focal point for culture, branding, technology, entertainment, and food. The 10-day experience will include networking opportunities, engaging activities, entertainment, and educational sessions; the Produce Marketing Association wants in on that. PMA announced that it is bidding to join the education lineup at the next SXSW for the second year in a row and is seeking support from the industry.
“SXSW is one of the best places to learn what global cultural influencers and business leaders are thinking and saying,” says PMA Chief Marketing Officer, Lauren M. Scott. “They are there talking about us, and so it is important to break into those conversations and share what we as an industry give to the world. I’m excited that we have a chance to come back and tell more true stories about where our food comes from.”
Over the past two years, PMA has been present at SXSW, with its first official education session taking place last year. The press release states that the session PMA wants to present, The Farmers Behind Your Fresh Food, is a discussion that will feature Casey Cox, Vice President at Longleaf Fridge Farms; Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and Managing Director at Agritecture Consulting; Brian Talley, Owner and Winegrower at Talley Vineyards; and PMA Vice President of Technology, Vonnie Estes, as the moderator.
“The audience at SXSW is unique to any other event throughout the year,” stated Estes. “It’s one of the only places where thought leaders in all aspects of technology, food, health, culture, and event entertainment are all mingling with our consumers. The conversations that happen here can change the way our industry is seen, and that’s what we hope to do with our session: start a conversation between farmers and consumers. We want our consumers to learn about the innovative, healthy, and sustainable ways we’re feeding the world.”
According to the session video, Estes and the panelists know that consumers want to know more about their food than ever before, including how their food is grown, where its grown, and who is growing it. The session will give the farmers a chance to share that not only do they want the same thing as consumers, but they will also share the ways the industry is using technology and ingenuity to grow healthy and delicious food in a safe and sustainable way.
If you’re keen on attending this particular session, vote here to ensure PMA secures a spot for SXSW 2020 by this Friday, August 23. Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more news.
