<p>SEPC has hosted another successful and eventful Southern Exposure this year, with a great turn out of industry attendees along with a host of award winners, speakers, and collaborations. This year held a record attendance of 1773, with a record attendance of retail and foodservice at 383. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Held this past weekend, February 27 – March 1 at the Caribe Royale Resort and Conference Center in Orlando, Florida, 2014’s event again brought together a group of innovative receptions, workshops and the circus theme “Under the Big Top” that did more than just deliver, its surpassed expectation.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Approximately 262 exhibitors were invited to decorate their booths for a chance to win the $1000 grand prize for the best decorated booth. This year’s booth award winners were:<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" src="http://anuk-images.s3.amazonaws.com/sepc_2014/sepc_mar_2014_body01.jpg" alt="Cropped Images March 3rd 2014" />1st Place – North Bay Produce<br/><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" src="http://anuk-images.s3.amazonaws.com/sepc_2014/sepc_mar_2014_body03.jpg" alt="Cropped Images March 3rd 2014" />2nd Place – Flavor Pic<br/><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" src="http://anuk-images.s3.amazonaws.com/sepc_2014/sepc_mar_2014_body02.jpg" alt="Cropped Images March 3rd 2014" />3rd Place – DiMare Fresh<br/></br/></br/></br/></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img style="width:160px; padding-right:5px;"src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/tom.jpg" alt="Newsletter 030314" align="left" />In addition, Supervalu veteran Tom Page was honored with the SEPC 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at the events annual Keynote Luncheon surrounded by a group of more than 900 industry attendees. Page was one of the council’s founding members and began his career in produce before he even graduated high school. Page retired from Supervalu in June of 2013, after more than 40 years with the company.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Keynote speaker Bill Cowher, a former head coach of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and current analyst on the CBS television show "The NFL Today," brought a wealth of knowledge to the crowd as he addressed the lessons and stories that have helped drive his career and his life philosophies.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Its important to stay on top of your game Cowher reflected throughout his talk…be forward thinking…you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Workshops included ‘How Digital is Affecting Produce Shopping Trends’ with speaker John Avola, Managing Partner, Idea garden Marketing. Retailers, foodservice, suppliers, growers, and shippers all joined Avola as he addressed the current state of digital and today’s produce consumer. Digitals’ influence on U.S. grocery shopping activities has grown rapidly. On a monthly basis for online behaviors, 45% of shoppers look for coupons and 38% read circular flyers, 32% make purchases online while 32% research product and 25% compare prices. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Avola presented Kimi, a model for today’s Generation 2020, who represents today’s online consumer. “Digital consumers like Kimi are always connected,” he notes. “They shop faster and more frequently, especially those around the Millennial age. This group researches products both before and onsite and also values ‘expert’ opinions and reviews. Kimi also shares experiences with friends through the digital medium and self promotion.” Lets not forget the power of the ‘selfie,’ today’s digital consumer loves to share and they will share their best eating experiences; all which include fresh produce and its brands.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In addition, Reggie Griffin of Reggie Griffin Strategies, LLC moderated a workshop on “Customer Connections: How to Make the Most of Your Meeting.” Griffin held an open exchange of ideas on creating more effective engagements between growers/shippers and retail/foodservice.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>This year’s Gala Opening Party kicked off with a fun-filled midway and classic carnival and circus games as well as an event that included acrobatics, as well as stunning and eye-catching design and décor…all for the delight of industry veterans, colleagues and up and comers looking to have a great time in support of fresh produce. Last year’s Gala Opening Party saw record attendance of more than 1,200. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Stay tuned for more news from the event.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>From your friends at AndNowUKnow, thanks again SEPC for a great Southern Exposure again this year! </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://2014southernexposure.com" target="_new"> SEPC Southern Exposure </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
