The Southeast Produce Council has seen its Southern Exposure annual conference emerge as a must-see event as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this week.
This year’s meeting is scheduled for March 7-9 at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL.
The working end of Southern Exposure is the expo on Saturday, March 9 from 12:30 to 6 pm, which will attract 272 exhibit booths.
But before then, attendees will find numerous educational opportunities and social networking.
It’s all starts March 7 with the annual Tom Page Golf Classic at Disney’s Magnolia and Palms golf courses. An invitation-only STARS and STEP-UPP dinner round off day one.
The education program gets going Friday, March 8.
-The Healing Benefits of Produce, 8:30-9:45 a.m. A panel of experts will discuss the benefits and ways to promote a plant-based diet.
-The Power of Produce, 10-11:30 a.m. SEPC partners with the Food Marketing Institute to reveal a report that will give an in-depth look at produce through the shoppers’ eyes.
-Southern Roots Luncheon, noon-2 p.m. A ladies event features executive corporate coach Shannon Cassidy.
– Food Safety, 2-3 p.m. The session will look at the ways the Center for Produce Safety-funded research addresses food safety issues that have been in the news.
-Marketing Continuing Connection, 3-4 p.m. Two marketers will present ideas on combining traditional in-store marketing efforts with the changing digital landscape.
Then the opening gala from 7-11 p.m. with the theme of “Party like it’s 1999.”
The Saturday expo is preceded by the keynote lunch from 10 a.m.-noon, featuring a presentation by Travis Stork, an Emmy-nominated host of the talk show The Doctors, and emergency physician.
After the expo the SEPC will host a closing reception from 6-10 p.m.
I will be there, as well as Blue Book’s Frank Sanchez and Carlos Sanchez, so come visit with us about what’s new with Blue Book Services.
