Mission, Texas – The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) recently announced plans for the inaugural Viva Fresh Conference and Expo on March 26-28, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Since then, TIPA has been moving full speed ahead with the latest plans including the announcement of a major sponsorship and the launch of the VIVA Fresh website.
“We are proud to announce The Packer as the Premiere Sponsor of the Viva Fresh Produce Expo,” said Bret Erickson, TIPA President & CEO. “The Southwest US, from Texas to Arizona, and Mexico have a great story to tell when it comes to the substantial growth of our fresh produce sector. The Packer provides a great platform to help us share that story with the rest of the industry.”
Through a series of marketing and advertising activities both in print and online, The Packer will assist in helping spread the word about the 2015 Viva Fresh Expo. “Regional expos are growing in popularity because they offer more networking opportunities in an affordable and intimate setting,” stated Shannon Shuman, publisher of The Packer. “We’re excited to be a part of this event from the beginning because of its unique focus on education and international trade with Mexico.”
Since the announcement of the show, sponsors and exhibitors alike have been eagerly awaiting additional details which are now available on the newly launched Expo website at www.vivafreshexpo.com. The new web site provides a wide range of information including the schedule of events, exhibitor and attendee registration, sponsorship opportunities, and a summary of educational workshops.
With the announcement of The Packer’s sponsorship and the launch of the VIVA Fresh website, momentum continues to build as industry members learn about what makes this Expo unique and different from other regional trade shows, specifically the international component which focuses on growing trade relations between the U.S. and Mexico. “In our case, a regional show is an international show,” commented Bret Erickson. We’re excited to be able to talk trade, retail trends, and grower issues all while connecting US and Mexico based grower/shippers with buyers from throughout the US and Canada.”
Full Tilt Marketing, a full service marketing agency specializing in the produce industry has worked closely with TIPA to plan and conceptualize this new event from start to finish including the design and launch of the new website, as well as the marketing and communications activities for the Viva Fresh Expo. “It’s exciting to be on the ground floor of industry opportunities like Viva Fresh that celebrate new directions for our industry and create collaborative experiences,” stated Heidi McIntyre, managing partner at Full Tilt Marketing. “Partnerships with organizations like TIPA and The Packer highlight what is possible when leaders come together to promote our industry.”
The expo, which is meant to highlight the “Gateway to the Americas,” will focus on showcasing produce grown in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. And since everything is bigger in Texas, expect big ideas and big flavors. Along with the education component, the expo will be focused on the health benefits, style and taste of Southwestern and Mexico-grown produce, with chef-inspired events and receptions with a region-specific foodie flair.
For more information, visit www.vivafreshexpo.com.
About the Texas International Produce Association
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) was created in 1942 to represent the interest of shippers of Texas-grown fruits and vegetables. In 1996, the scope of TIPA was expanded to address the problems and opportunities surrounding the importation and marketing of foreign grown produce. TIPA's member companies include: growers, domestic shippers, import shippers, specialty shippers, distributors, and material and service providers.
Source: Texas International Produce Association