The Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit took place Oct. 17–19 in Orlando, Florida. Every year, this huge summit brings the global produce and floral industries together to make connections and mingle with fellow industry professionals.
Cathy Burns, CEO of PMA, says the Fresh Summit is the perfect occasion to begin a new year within the produce and floral industries. “Our overall goal for PMA is we bring the floral and produce industry together to grow a healthier world, and we do that throughout the whole year, but we kick-off the year with the Fresh Summit,” she explains.
Fresh Summit saw some changes this year. The event featured four big voices for the Fresh Summit’s Forums for the Future, including former NFL player Peyton Manning. Experience extensions were also added to the event this year. These extensions covered crucial issues within the produce industry, such as global trade, transportation, people and food safety.
Burns also notes the welcome reception, which took place on Oct. 18. She says the reception provided a great opportunity for attendees and exhibitors to connect and have a good time. “We think about this (reception) as a homecoming for the industry,” she explains.
Burns says Fresh Summit is all about connecting with representatives in the United States and around the globe. “It’s about connections, it’s about creating relationships, forming new partnerships and looking for ways to ultimately drive the consumption of fruit, vegetable and floral throughout the world,” she concludes.
Southeastern agriculture was well represented at the Fresh Summit, most notably in the Georgia Grown and Fresh from Florida pavilions. Stay tuned for more reports on the event, coming soon.
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