PRESS RELEASE Newark, Del. – More than 30 produce buyers from 24 companies are scheduled to attend Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Connections: Retail event April 10-11 in Philadelphia, including first timers Coburn’s Inc., Gerrity’s Supermarkets, Longo’s Brothers Markets, Sprouts Farmers Market, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., and Whole Foods Market.
Registration is limited to 200 for the networking and education event that connects produce suppliers and business solution providers with U.S. retailers and wholesalers. Fresh Connections: Retail typically sells out in advance each year. Prices increase after April 1. PMA members receive registration discounts.
Additional buyers slated to attend include: Acme Markets, Inc., Allegiance Retail Services, Associated Wholesale Grocers, C & S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., Giant Martins, HelloFresh, Wakefern Food Corporation, and Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
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.
The event will include an evening reception April 10 at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott, and two keynotes, interactive educations sessions, a networking break and lunch on April 11.
PMA CEO Cathy Burns is scheduled to open the conference with insights on retail and food industry trends that have the potential to increase consumer demand for fresh produce. Kevin Coupe, author, video producer and Content Guy for MorningNewsBeat.com, will deliver an afternoon keynote that synthesizes themes from the day’s education sessions.
“PMA’s Fresh Connections: Retail event provides great networking. I have time to meet new people and learn about their products, as well as reconnect with existing supply partners,” said Chris Keetch, Director of Produce & Floral, Giant Food Stores, LLC. “This industry is full of dynamic people, and nothing beats meeting face to face. I’m also looking forward to hearing both keynote presenters and participating in the small group discussions.”
For the third consecutive year, PMA will crowdsource education session topics for Fresh Connections: Retail. The process, however, has been changed up this year. Registrants will receive an email invitation with instructions for submitting topic ideas in advance, rather than on site. They can also vote and comment on topics suggested by others.
Guidelines call for ideas related to category management and retail trends. Up to 12 unique sessions are possible, with six sessions running concurrently during each of two 50-minute blocks. A networking break is scheduled between blocks. Final topics will be announced as the event date nears, and attendees can pick which sessions to attend on site.
“Fresh Connections: Retail is about networking and starting relevant, engaging conversations to tackle real-world challenges and opportunities,” said Burns. “We look forward to the productive dialogue and thought partnership we’ve come to expect from this event and our attendees.”
About Produce Marketing Association
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
