PMA Tech Knowledge: Optimize Resources, Reduce Costs, Grow Business Through Innovation, Technology

Newark, Del. — How do we improve food safety, increase efficiencies, optimize resources and reduce costs? For members of the global fresh produce and floral industries, answering today’s business challenges is complicated by tomorrow’s outlook. Experts report the food supply must double by 2046 to meet global population demand, despite diminishing available farmland and dwindling natural resources. The third annual Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Tech Knowledge Symposium on May 17-19 in Santa Clara, Calif. USA, will continue to help industry members discover solutions and prepare for the future by cultivating a company culture primed to explore the possibilities of new technology and reward innovation.

"Understanding new technology has become a critical capability to competing in the complex and global produce and floral business," said Elliott Grant, chairman of PMA’s Science and Technology Committee and CEO of ShopWell Labs, Inc. “PMA Tech Knowledge facilitates conversations that lead to business innovation and competitive advantage. It’s an opportunity to connect with technology leaders and early adopters, understand technologies’ application within industry context and hear ideas needed to innovate the future of produce and floral.”

Cutting edge, in-depth, relevant technology education

In alliance with PMA’s Tech Portfolio objectives, the event’s education will strengthen industry members’ ability to look beyond day-to-day activities to envision their future and create an internal culture adept at recognizing opportunities. Those opportunities include reinventing systems and processes, thinking outside the box, and making key adjustments to operations, products and practices to increase demand and grow business.

The education will also examine critical challenges in the produce and floral industries—food safety, natural resource management, labor, waste reduction and new variety development—through the lens of how technology can help turn these challenges into opportunities. For example, food safety breakout sessions will discuss emerging pathogen detection technologies, genomics, predictive modeling and preventive controls. Other education sessions will address production technologies related to waste reduction, resource management, predictive modeling and yield optimization through next generation breeding tools. Sessions on logistics technologies will explore supply chain transparency in our age of “big data,” information sharing to optimize distribution and protected agriculture.

Keynotes to ignite future-forward, novel thinking

“A company's competitive advantage is often a reflection of their reaction to technical challenges and their ability to evaluate and adopt emerging solutions within the context of their individual business,” said Dr. Bob Whitaker, PMA’s chief science and technology officer. “Because technology is an ever-evolving tool set that responds to ever-evolving needs and challenges, we created PMA Tech Knowledge to help industry members not only connect with new technology and ideas from around the world, but also realize how their companies can become innovation incubators for lasting success.”

Whitaker, who will explore global trends affecting technology in the produce and floral industry, is among the symposium’s keynote speakers. Joining him in the general session line-up to inspire attendees to “think differently” is David Phillips, “innovation provocateur” at Faster Glass Consulting; Julie Busha, creator of Slawsa and Shark Tank success story; and Jason Watson, artist and educator from The McColl Center for Art & Innovation. Kevin Coupe, author and “content guy” for MorningNewsBeat, and Tom Furphy, originator of Amazon Fresh and CEO/managing director of Consumer Equity Partners, will join forces in a conversation on innovation’s intersection with produce, technology and the future.

Ingenious entrepreneurs meet visionary investors

Additionally, entrepreneurs and solution providers can connect with potential investors during the “What’s the Pitch?” session, made possible in partnership with Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology. New business will unfold in front of attendees as start-ups present their ideas to venture capitalists and industry experts. 

“We’re pleased to be partnering with PMA to highlight the exciting startup technology companies not only resident in Western Growers’ new Center for Technology & Innovation, but also from across the country,” said Hank Giclas, Western Growers vice president for food safety and technology.  “This interactive ‘What’s the Pitch’ session will feature entrepreneurs on the verge of impacting our industry receiving feedback on their business plans from investors, industry experts and audience members.” 

Finally, a “Learning Lounge” will provide a place for attendees and tech experts to connect throughout the symposium. It will also be the site of interactive “Discovery Pods,” which will showcase novel technologies at work in the produce and floral industry.

Early-bird registration ends April 22; PMA members and Gold Circle contributors save even more. Find education descriptions, registration and all event details online at www.pma.com/events/tech-knowledge.

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)

Produce Marketing Association 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.

Source: Produce Marketing Association (PMA)